Tell us a little bit about yourself and your achievements to date
I’m Hoa Pham, a second-year Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) student at Deakin University. I’m currently a Marketing Executive for Vision First Consulting Group, a Melbourne-based Australian Registered Migration Agent. I’m also holding three competitive on-campus jobs: Library Student Assistant, DeakinTALENT Ambassador and Success Coach, along with executive positions in two clubs.
What are your goals for the future?
I aspire to work in the marketing communications and public relations fields, especially for the education sector. My objective is creating viral content on media channels and exerting long-lasting influence on the audience’s awareness. I also want to inspire young people with my own stories in learning English, applying for scholarships and building my career overseas.
Why are you excited about being a Study Melbourne Student Ambassador?
Being an international student myself, I deeply empathise with those struggling to break down the language barrier, find a decent job or cope with academic stress. Meanwhile, having accumulated plenty of experience in making the most out of my time in Australia, I truly hope to inspire and help international students with my stories.
What is the most useful advice you ever received when you faced a challenging time as an international student?
“It doesn’t take much to stand out”. Small actions like remembering names, sending personalised LinkedIn requests and catching up by email, when repeated regularly, make all the difference. I secured a marketing executive job with two years left in my degree just because I initiated a conversation while waiting in the Student Central.
How have you gone about making new friends and building your networks in Victoria?
I actively attend all on-campus career workshops and networking events, invest in relationships with teachers, engage in student support services, serve as an executive in several clubs, while simultaneously polishing my online personal brand. Through this exponential process, I now possess an extensive network among student leaders, staff members and communications professionals.