From finance to mobile app developer

International student Vinh Nguyen is living proof that you can never be overqualified, or that a change of career isn’t just a dream.

With completed Bachelor of Financial Banking, Bachelor of Commercial Law and Master of Banking and Finance degrees from Vietnam’s Can Tho University, Vinh decided to change career paths and chase his passion for information technology (IT).

In 2014 he quit his job working at one of Vietnam’s largest banks, Vietcombank, to study the Master of Applied Information Technology at Victoria University (VU) – a top-ranking university located in the world’s most liveable city.

“IT is a highly demanded job with a broad range of pathways – it’s an exciting industry that is only expected to grow in the future,” Vinh says.

I chose VU because of its flexible course and learning options, and because the fees are much more affordable than other universities in Melbourne.

Despite a strong academic and professional background in finance, Vinh is excelling in the Master of Applied Information Technology, achieving a distinction average in his second year of studies.

He credits this success to VU’s teachers.

“The staff are what I like most about VU.

“They are all friendly, supportive and quick to provide help when needed.”

While studying Vinh also works as a barista at a small café in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district.

“I didn’t know how to make coffee at first but I learnt quickly on the job!

“I’m a big coffee drinker so I’m very proud I can make my own now.”

After completing his final year of the masters with VU, Vinh’s sights are set on securing a job as a mobile application developer in his home country, where his wife and newborn baby boy live.