The road to success

David is no stranger to learning. After he obtained qualifications in the field of business, he found the job market was difficult to break into. This, paired with a disinterest in IT, meant it was time for a dramatic change. So, David shifted his focus to the health sector, and UC was the perfect place for his career pivot to start. 

Having already experienced university and student life, UC’s small class sizes were a breath of fresh air to David. With classes of around 20 to 30 students (depending on the unit), the intimate setting allowed him to nurture his studies and build relationships with his tutors and fellow students more easily.

“The beauty of studying at UC is the small classes. When I was studying in my previous degree, there were hundreds of students and the tutors weren't going to get to know you. You’re not going to build a very strong connection with your peers because everyone just comes and goes,” he explains. 

A passion for helping others.

During his four years at UC, David took part in a number of hands-on placement roles through UC’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program that allowed him to work in the health industry to carve out his niche. 

“One of my placements was focused on mental health. This gave me the opportunity to “test run” what it would be like working as an occupational therapist. It was because of this placement that I made the decision to get into the mental health field. 

“The other fields I worked in included rehabilitation in the community and neurology rehab where I would go into different hospitals and see the day-to-day life of what someone would do in that position,” he adds. 

After graduating in November 2022, David secured a position with the Canberra Health Services and has been working with the team ever since. His job has him working closely in the older person’s mental health department, specialising in services for those aged 65 and over with moderate to severe mental health issues. 

“I chose mental health because it’s quite interesting for me as you can see different things beyond the ordinary,” David shares.

Connections beyond university

By choosing to study and build a career in such a targeted field, David acknowledges how important the connections he made throughout his studies were from both students and teachers.

“I have some casual connections with my former classmates that are all working in the occupational therapy field, and some of them working in the same hospital that I’m working in! Some are working in different settings but we still have a connection, which is very good,” David says.

“We don’t have a lot of occupational therapists [in Canberra] and we all know each other. Even if you don’t know the exact therapist, one of your friends might know them,” he says. 

However, it’s the connection with his lecturers and tutors from UC that have been the most beneficial for his career. From face-to-face consultations, career planning discussion and support during placements, David recognises the holistic approach his teachers used to help each graduate enter the industry and flourish in a successful career. 

“My life at UC was really enjoyable. I made friends, stronger industry connections and I found a job even before I graduated, as it is a really demanding field,” David shares. 

A love for Canberra

It was the prospect of world-class education that first drew David to Canberra. UC’s reputation as an attractive university for international students made his decision to leave Asia easy. However, six years later, it’s the city's chill vibes and welcoming community that have allowed him to flourish.

“Canberra is ranked number two for the best place to live in the world [for quality of life]. It’s very family friendly, the people are very nice and the area is inclusive and diverse. The nature is beautiful and you don’t need to spend a lot of time in traffic,” he jokes. 

With a good working culture where he can balance his career with his personal life, David also shares that he has been able to connect with his Chinese heritage in Australia.

“I can eat Chinese food, I can find Chinese markets and there are lots of Chinese community activities in Canberra,” he adds. 

The future for David

As for the future, David has no plans to leave the nation’s capital. With a master’s degree, a rewarding career, a home and a family in the city, Canberra will serve as the backdrop for David’s successful life beyond university. 

“I will be a long-time resident. I’m really satisfied with my life here and I’m satisfied with my current work. It’s a place for me to live in the future,” he concludes.