The guru guide to your IT career

Do you want to know what it takes to have a successful career in IT and computing? We’ve asked the experts for their tips, at each stage of the process.

1. School

Behind every successful IT guru, from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg, you’ll find years of experience. For many, that experience starts when they are still at school, tinkering with technology in their spare time.

That’s because every successful career starts with passion. If you genuinely love what you do enough for it to be your all-consuming hobby, then you’ll have the energy and enthusiasm to handle the pressure and challenges ahead.

2. University

When it comes to your university IT course, it’s important to learn more than just the technical skills you need to be a programmer, web designer, network planner or computer support technician.

‘Soft’ skills such as communication, leadership and business awareness are just as important when it comes to landing a job.

Top Ten reasons to study by distance

Online technology has made studying from home a real alternative. So is distance learning right for you?

Find out with our top ten reasons to take on a distance learning course.

1. Study when you want, where you want

All you need to access to the internet, and you can study in your bedroom, in your office, on the beach… If you think better at night or in the early morning, schedule your coursework to suit you.

2. Fit your study around your work commitments

You don’t have to give up your job or put your career on hold to get a world-class international education. This could be especially important if you want to study an MBA or Masters degree.

3. Fit your study around your family commitments

You also don’t have to move your family abroad to get a world-class international education.

Getting the most from your education degree

Teaching is an exciting and challenging profession, and a chance to change the world – one class at a time!

There are many different paths to becoming a teacher – you can study an Education Degree at a Bachelor level, or specialise in a certain field, such as science or economics, and then take a Postgraduate education diploma or degree. Or, if you want to teach English as a second language, you can study a TESOL certificate or diploma at English language colleges around the world.

To make sure you choose a teaching course that will really enhance your skills, it’s important to look for the following:

Student Poll

Staying safe while you study

Safe study tips

Safety is always a concern for international students. Studying abroad means leaving the safety and security of your familiar surroundings. It may be your first time living away from your family, or you may need to travel on public transport at night to a part-time job or evening courses.

Studying in Australia has always been seen as safe for international students, so recent violence against several Indian students in Melbourne has caused some alarm amongst the international student community.

No matter where you are from, and no matter where you choose to study, there are things you can do to ensure you stay safe. Here are a few student safety tips:

Who wants a successful business career?

So you want to succeed in business. Whether that’s by managing a multinational corporation, wheeling and dealing on the stock market, or running your own business, what is the key to this success? Is it the number of degrees you have, where you study, or how you start your career?

In this subject guide, we look at five key elements to having a successful business career – right now.

1. Finding the right course

There are many different types of business programs, all around the world. Undergraduate, post-graduate, and of course the MBA. So you need to spend time researching all the options to choose the best course for you.

Most undergraduate degrees give you two or three years of general business education, and the option to specialise in the last years in subjects such as finance, marketing or accounting.

Some universities offer even more specialised areas of expertise, such as corporate social responsibility, East Asian Studies or e-commerce.

When Na Xu chose her course at the University of Salford, she was looking for a strong grounding in finance and accounting, but also the chance to learn to speak English fluently. This has led her to a career as an English Anchor in the media sector of her home country, China.

The lazy student’s guide to getting a visa

Sorting out your student visa takes a little time and planning. But it needn’t be as hard as you think. Just be prepared with these five simple tips to getting your student visa.

1. Get the timing right

You must wait until you have an acceptance letter for your course before you apply. But you also need to apply well in advance of leaving. Allow at least three months to be sure, and wait until your visa is confirmed before you pay for your flights.

2. Check all visa requirements carefully

Every country is different. And some embassy websites are, unfortunately, a little confusing.

So if you’re not sure of exactly what documentation you need, call first to check. This is especially important if you have to travel far for a visa interview – you don’t want to be stuck in another city waiting for extra paperwork.

It’s also worth asking someone else who has been through the same process already. If you don’t know anyone, why not post the question on the StudyLink discussion forum?

Study smarter, not harder: Top 10 study tips

Better results mean more choice and opportunity. So pick up a few new study tips, and prove your outstanding ability in your assignments and exams!

1. Don’t miss a class

‘A’ students never miss a class. They also never miss the beginning or end of a class, because important announcements about exams and projects are often made then. If you find you lose concentration during lectures, record them on your phone or a simple voice recorder and listen again later.

2. Review your notes quickly and often

After a lecture or class, read through your notes quickly again. It helps store the information in your long-term memory.

Student Poll

How important is a post-graduate visa?

For many international students, the main point of studying overseas is the option to stay in that country to work once they finish their studies.

It’s not as challenging to do this as you might think. While you study, you have the chance to network with business and potential employers, especially through internships. You become more confident speaking the local language. And your university will usually have a career office to help you with your CV and interview skills.

But some countries make it easier than others. We’re talking about visas, of course. You cannot work anywhere legally without a work visa. And if you work illegally, you could get into far more trouble that you anticipated.

A recession-proof career in health

Around the world, many university graduates face a shrinking job market. But there is one career sector that will always be in demand – medicine and health.

Even now, doctors and medical specialists enjoy an almost 100% employment rate. And bonus migration points for qualified medical staff in some countries, such as Australia, can also make it easier to work abroad, especially if you’re willing to work in rural areas to start with.

Although that shouldn’t be your only reason for considering a career in health, if you are genuinely interested in helping people and making a difference to their lives, then it can also be a very rewarding career.

‘Medical studies’ is such a broad term. Although your parents may be keen to see you graduate as a doctor or surgeon, there are many other options. This guide will help you choose the best specialisation for your interests and abilities.

Top 10 reasons to choose your study destination

Last month, we looked at the things you should think about when choosing your course. But what if you need - or want - to decide on your destination first?

The truth is it doesn’t matter which way to you start narrowing your choices down, as long as it gets you where you want to be.

So, in this article we look at the Top 10 reasons for choosing a specific country to study in. You all have different reasons for wanting to study abroad, different interests and different needs. But at least one of these tips should lead you down the right path, and help you find the right course for you. If you think of some more, post a comment below!