The content will be shown in the reading box (below - for mobile, on the right hand side - for desktop).
Still exploring yourself in the late 20s~early 30s, why not? (part 2)
Still exploring yourself in the late 20s~early 30s, why not? (part 1)
READING BOX
You can read the full blog post by clicking/tapping the 'Show Content' button.
Still exploring yourself in the late 20s~early 30s, why not? (part 2)
I never had a plan to take master’s degree, but at the end of 2023, I made a big decision. I enrolled to The University of Western Australia to study Master of Information Technology. Why big decision? Because it costed me a lot as international student and I am self supported. I worked so hard to save up and need to break my bank account to cover all the fees and costs. But it’s about perspective, now I see it as “investment for my self-development” instead of spending. That mindset makes me live in peace now.
I was so nervous before I start studying because I finished my bachelor’s degree 10 years ago. It's hard to imagine to be back in the classroom, doing the assignments. Those are something that I haven’t been done for long time. Also, zero coding experience. But now I am on my 2nd semester which means I survived my 1st semester and I am quite satisfied with my result. At this point, I don’t really care about my marks (I mean I still try my best to get the higher marks), but the most important thing for me now is the knowledge and skill. I can say that I enjoy coding now (enjoy doesn’t mean I am very good on it though).
This is not a promotional post, but I do enjoy my study at UWA because they have so many things to offer to support either academic and extracurricular side. And also maybe because I know what I am doing and know what I need, so I can choose which activities/club that I need to go to. I have two internships on my winter break and those two are from UWA: Coders For Causes and Venture UWA. From Coders For Causes, I did the beginner project with them (I have built my portfolio website - samueltl21.github.io) and from Venture UWA currently I am doing Early-Stage Market Research for one of the start up under their incubator program. **I've never done any Market' Research before, so this experience is a great opportunity to learn something new and level up my skill.
Lastly, I've just started my 2nd semester, so it's three more semester left! Wish me luck!
Perth, 11-Aug-24
Still exploring yourself in the late 20s~early 30s, why not? (part 1)
Shifting from one industry to another industry is not easy. Usually you need to step backwards in order to start a new path. It’s a tough thing. Why? You might need to sacrifice your salary, do some basic stuff again, and learn a lot of things again. Not many people like doing it.
I’ve just started my master’s degree in Information Technology at the age of 32 with zero background in IT area. The reason I choose IT is because I have interest in this field and have big willingness to learn. Also I feel like it’s more fit with my personality.
About my background, I finished my bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Indonesia in 2014. I was enjoying my study at that time, but after I worked in some sectors (Oil & Gas and Aviation), I felt like the job didn’t suit me well. After almost 3 years working full time, I decided to step backwards out of the industry and at that time I applied internship as Data Analyst Intern at Du’Anyam (Jakarta). That was the time when I kinda like what I do. Even though it’s not programming thingy, I need to deal with data and help them to develop/test the mobile-based app for the operation.
Long story shorts, after that, I came to Australia as a Working Holiday Maker to find something different. I love to explore new places so I decided to work in hospitality industry and I got the opportunity to work in some exotic places in Australia such Uluru, Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef), Mount Hotham, and some more. I did so many types of jobs in hospitality industry, but most of the time I worked in the kitchen. When I was a kid, I love to watch cooking show in TV and it became real that I’ve been working a lot in the kitchen until now. But of course, when I started, I struggled. My English was limited. I still remember when I went to supermarket after work to take a photos of vegetables because sometimes the chef asked me to get something from cool room and I didn’t know what it was. And I started from dishy/kitchen hand, then bit by bit learning how to use knife, fryer, grill, and now become a cook. Kitchen job is tough. Time management, able to handle pressure, maintain consistent quality, you need to survive all of them. Now, I like cooking as a hobby, but I can’t see myself working in the kitchen for long term.
