Alpha Kipngetich came to Australia for the weather. He stayed for the career opportunities.

Before he even finished his Master of Information Technology, Alpha was offered a senior IT job in Sydney.

Why did you choose to enrol in a Master of Information Technology, and what inspired you to study in Australia?

I did my bachelor's in computer science back home in Kenya and after that I worked in IT for six years. I started my own company a year ago. Pursing a master's degree was the next logical step in continuing to build my IT career. As for why I chose Australia, I wanted to experience everything that Australia had to give. I wanted to see the world; I wanted to travel. I had the choice of Canada, the US and the UK, but Australia stood out for me, especially the weather - I don't think I would have coped with the cold weather in the northern hemisphere!

You've been at ACU for about a year now. How would you describe the learning experience?

All the classes I've taken here at ACU have been conducted in two modes - workshops and labs. Workshops are led by a lecturer and they're focused on studying theory. The labs are where we implement everything that we've learned in our classes, workshops and readings - they're much more hands on. I've enjoyed every single interaction I've had with my lecturers and the students I share the class with.

The degree also includes a range of practical experiences. What sort of industry opportunities have you had access to?

I've completed three different Microsoft certifications that are available to IT students at ACU. These are industry certifications that will be recognised by future employers. I've also had different interactions in and out of class with my lecturers, who have helped me access a range of professional opportunities These include completing the Microsoft Student Accelerator, which was a practical experience program at Microsoft's North Sydney offices. These opportunities have really helped me to grow my career, to grow my connections and to grow my network.

Have your teachers been supportive?

My lecturers are some of the most wonderful people I've ever met. They go out of their way to make sure that we excel in everything that we're doing. This includes classwork and giving us advice about what we should expect in the job market. Even if you need emotional support, they'll always be there for you, especially if you have problems with your courses or you're struggling to meet your grades. You can always knock at their door and they're always happy to help - they'll always give you a listening ear, support you and guide you.

You haven't graduated yet. Do you feel confident about your job prospects?

I've been lucky enough to find an IT job here in Sydney. I'm a software developer a lot of my responsibilities are more in line with the role of chief technology officer. I provide advice to the company in terms of what sort of software to invest in and the IT policies they need to implement to put the company in a good position in the future. Everything that I learned here in school has been useful in my work.

The ACU Master of Information Technology is accredited by the Australian Computer Society and is recognised as an accredited IT qualification in Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the UK and the US under the Seoul Accord. Talk to our international student support team to find out how an ACU IT degree can be the launching pad for a global career.

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