T_IDP Student Alumni: T_Anna, Malaysia

T_It was a coincidence that my mum and I found IDP one day after breakfast together. T_We walked in and had a chat with the counsellors, and everything was smooth-sailing from there on out. T_My counsellor was knowledgeable and was patient with helping me pick a career path, as I was looking to switch to study something completely different from what I just graduated from, as a graphic designer. T_I took the leap of faith and decided to study as a chef next, because of the passion I had for baking! T_She gave me lots of options for TAFEs, and I eventually enrolled me in a TAFE that was easy to get to from the city, and was the best in Melbourne too — William Angliss Institute.

T_I was blessed to have a place to live in, and many people whom I knew from back home who have also moved here to study too. T_My biggest personal struggle was feeling out of place and feeling insecure with my English speaking skills. T_Other than that, I had a hard time adjusting to the reality of the new currency rate, and because of that, I literally only ate outside twice a year for my first couple of years in Melbourne.

T_I mass applied for many jobs and gigs on every website I could find: T_Upwork, Fiverr, Seek, LinkedIn, AngelList, Facebook Groups for job search, or Instagram pages of companies that I wanted to work for, etc. T_I eventually landed a casual job at Electric Confetti, a neon sign brand I'T_ve been obsessed with even before I came to Australia. T_I then joined LivenPay, a fintech food payment company, and now at S-kin Studio Jewelry, a brand that I'T_ve been a fan of since their early days. T_All this whilst freelancing as a graphic designer/ social media manager for small businesses mostly in Melbourne.

T_I'T_m looking to upskill as much as I can so that whatever it is for the next step of my career, I will be ready. T_I'T_ve been actively taking online courses for relevant topics that I'T_m interested in, outside of my studies, such as an advanced Squarespace coding course, advanced content creation courses etc. T_I want to have a flexibly job where I can do whatever I want, wherever I want; hopefully as a casual travel digital nomad creating content.

T_Just do it. T_Whatever is it you'T_re thinking, this is it; the perfect time to trial that crazy idea you have. T_It'T_s so cliche, but the world is really your oyster. T_I have a few international friends whom I know have opened their own businesses or franchises within a handful of years either here in Melbourne, or back home in their home countries, after years of experience and studying here in Melbourne. T_You can too, please believe that you'T_re the biggest project you'T_ll ever work on. :)

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T_We are excited to share the inspiring stories of our students who have previously studied or are currently studying in Australia or New Zealand with the help of an IDP education counsellor. T_If this sounds like you, click on "T_submit your story"T_ and get ready to be featured on the IDP website! T_Keen to start your study abroad journey? T_Book a free appointment with one of our education counsellors today.