From Grocery Runs to Career Wins: What I Learned as an International Student

Moving to Australia for my Master’s was a step into the unknowns, filled with excitement, challenges, and a lot of uncertainty. For international students like me, the classroom is just one part of the journey. The real test lies in adjusting to a new culture, spending your weekend juggling household chores, managing finances, and standing out in a competitive job market. 

The Global Perspective

If you are reading this, chances are you have faced these hurdles too. But here is the truth: facing challenges is only half of the story. The real transformation begins when you learn to turn those challenges into opportunities. That is when you start building a career pathway that is not only rewarding but uniquely yours and most importantly you build it yourself miles away from the comfort of your home and your motherland. That feeling is different and to me that defined ‘success’. 

Over time, I have met so many people who came as international students but have since made a remarkable impact. Thinking of what they shared with me, every piece of it now feels deeply relatable. Here is how those experiences, including my own, shaped not just a career, but self-worth and identity.

1. Acknowledge the Challenge 

• You have a lot of courage. You have taken the bold step to leave your settled life behind, moving to a new country starting from scratch. 

• Yet, somewhere through the challenges and uncertainties we face, we often forget to acknowledge our own strength. As international students, we bring bilingual skills, adaptability, resilience, and global perspectives, qualities that are highly valued in today’s workplaces. But, until we accept the challenges and choose to carry them as purpose, we would feel burdened by them, not realising the strength we bring.

2. Leverage University Resources

• Your university is more than just lectures and assignments. It is a launchpad for personal and professional growth. 

• Clubs and societies, networking events, volunteering, career and employability programs and all the other activities university offers, are such a good first step on the path you have decided for yourself.

• For example, during my Master's at UQ, I engaged myself in volunteering, entrepreneurial programs, student societies like UQMAS,  worked on student staff projects, and received the UQ Employability Award. These experiences not only developed my skills but also helped me build a standout resume, showing future employers that despite the challenges and the struggles I went above and beyond.

3. Get Involved Beyond the Classroom 

The easiest way to gain ‘local experience’ is to immerse yourself in activities that build transferable skills: 

• Volunteer within university or at events.

• Join student clubs and societies.

• Apply for on-campus jobs.

• Attend networking events.

• Participate in hackathons and competitions.

• Possess a Curious Mindset.

I did it all but I always doubted, ‘Why am I doing it?’, ‘Will they actually help me in my career?’ Today, I see them as milestones that shaped my journey and validated the skills I now exhibit.  

4. Build a Personal Brand

In today’s competitive market, visibility matters.

• Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to share your projects, achievements, reflections and even get endorsed for your skills. Writing posts, sharing learnings, and being consistent, display you as proactive and thoughtful. 

• Your personal brand can often open doors before your resume does. I have always been camera-shy, so while others use Instagram to build their brand as influencers, I chose LinkedIn. Writing is my strength, and that is how I have built my personal brand, one post at a time. 

Strategies to build Personal Brand on LinkedIn

5. Network with Purpose

• Networking is not about handing out resumes. It is about building meaningful connections.

• Attend industry events, join professional associations, and don’t hesitate to reach out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn. Ask for advice, not jobs. Conversations often lead to opportunities in unexpected ways (and I have experienced it firsthand) 

6. Upskill Continuously

• The world is evolving fast, and it is important than ever to stay updated with the latest trends coming along almost every other day.

• Online certifications from LinkedIn Learning, Google, Canva, Coursera, and others help you stay ahead of trends and fill skill gaps. They also show that you are proactive and committed to growth. 

7. Freelancing and Side Hustles

• If internships feel out of reach at the start, consider freelancing or side hustles in the field you are passionate about.

• Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are a good way to get some hands-on experience and build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills in action. Employers value proof of ability over just credentials.

  
  

The Real Game Changer: YOUR MINDSET

All the listed points are the 'How's' of what you want to do. But the ‘Why’ lies in your Mindset. Changing your mindset is one of the most powerful and effective solutions.

You can’t build everything on paper until you build it in your mindset.  

• View every challenge as a learning curve. 

• Celebrate small wins. 

• Believe in the unique value you bring as an international student. 

• Your resilience and global perspective are assets that not everyone would have. 

Success begins when you stop questioning your decisions and start embracing your story. 

What Next?  

The journey of building a career as an international student is not without obstacles. But with the right mix of mindset, personal branding, networking, and continuous learning, you can build a career that is uniquely yours, one that makes you stand out, and most importantly the one that makes you feel proud of yourself. 

My journey as an international student has taught me that the key lies in seeing yourself not as limited by your circumstances and questioning your decisions but being motivated by the unique story and perspective you bring to the table. Today, I consider this as my purpose of life and the definition of 'success'.

To my fellow international students:

You have already taken the bold first step, planting the seed. Now it is time to nurture it, showcase it, and help it grow, bigger and stronger than ever. Be proud of the step you have taken and for even the smallest of efforts you put in because in the end, it all matters!

If you ever need someone to talk to, share your journey with, or ask for advice, please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.