How RMIT students get ready for life and work

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How RMIT students get ready for life and work

Transitioning from university to the working world comes with unknowns, filled with questions, challenges, and surprises. Four final-year RMIT students share their eye-opening experiences and what it takes to bridge the gap from student to young professionals.

Let’s follow the journeys of standout last-year RMIT students, Ngan Phung from Fashion Enterprise, Duc Huynh from IT, Phuc Phan from Professional Communication, and Ngoc Nguyen from Business (minor in Finance), as they share how they’ve bridged the gap between studying and working.

New roles, new realities

Stepping into the professional world means facing the weight of real consequences, something textbooks can’t fully prepare students for.

Hanh Ngan, a final-year Fashion Enterprise student, discovered this firsthand during her internship at a fashion brand. One time, she was tasked with sending a sample to China, a system glitch left her with only one shipping option: express delivery, ten times the usual cost. Wanting to act quickly, she made the decision herself and paid out of pocket.

Ngan is standing on the left side in the photo with her colleagues (Photo: provided by Ngan Phung).

"Later, I realised I should have asked for approval," she admits. "Even small decisions can ripple through a business. Her boss reimbursed half of it, but the experience shifted her mindset. “In the workplace, initiative must be balanced with communication and accountability. It’s not just about doing things right but doing the right things the right way."

Phuc Phan, a Professional Communication student who interned with EY Sweeney in Melbourne, found herself collecting data in high-pressure field interviews. "At work, there’s no practice ground. One wrong move can affect your clients, your team, and the final results. You have to stay calm, think fast, and earn people’s trust in the moment," she recalled.

These high-stakes encounters made her more confident and decisive. "The real world is full of gray areas. Being able to adapt, read situations quickly, and ask smart questions became my most important tools."

The experience sharpened her confidence, decisiveness, and ability to think on her feet and adapt quickly. (Photo: provided by Phuc Phan).

Lessons from the classes

Though the working world brings new pressures, RMIT’s unique learning model helped students prepare for the realities ahead.

"Fast-paced assignments trained me to handle tight deadlines and unpredictable situations," Phuc shares. "I didn’t realise how much they sharpened my organizational and communication skills until I applied them in the workplace."

For Ngoc Nguyen, a Business student with a Finance minor, says her group assignments were surprisingly close to her internship as a Product Marketing Intern at Dragon Capital. "Our final-year finance projects demanded serious coordination, time management, and precision, mirrored the dynamics I faced at work. I learned to speak up, support others, and receive feedback constructively – skills that matter far beyond university walls."

For Duc Huynh, an IT student and Technical Vice President of the Neo Culture Tech Club, the transition into his Engineering Management Trainee role at Nestlé was intense, but he credits his project-based learning experience at RMIT for building resilience. "Real-world problems don’t come with instructions. I had to get comfortable with uncertainty, dig for information, and take action based on limited knowledge."

Duc also developed the habit of reflecting and documenting what he learned each day. "This helped me connect what I was doing with what I’d learned and spot patterns in how I solved problems."

For Duc, RMIT not just brought technical knowledge but helped build a problem-solving mindset. (Photo: provided by Duc Nguyen).

Small steps, big impact

Once they stepped into their roles, students also learned success stems not just from knowledge, but from mindset, curiosity, and communication.

"I learned to act only when instructions are clear," Ngan says. "But don’t be passive. Be Proactive in clarifying tasks, suggesting solutions, and keeping your team updated." This openness earned her greater trust from supervisors. "Asking the right questions and being transparent helped me grow faster and avoid preventable mistakes."

Ngoc agrees: "It’s okay to not know everything. What matters is your willingness to learn and contribute. Never underestimate the power of asking so-called 'foolish' questions."

Phuc shares that her previous gigs, even before her internship, helped prepare her. "Start small. Every job teaches you something: how to show up on time, handle responsibility, communicate, and present yourself professionally.”

Duc emphasises the importance of treating every small or big task as a chance to build credibility. "When you’re consistent, people trust you with bigger responsibilities."

Network with intent

Many opportunities arose from simply showing up and staying engaged.

Ngan’s first internship came from a referral by a lecturer she connected with over several courses. Later, she was invited to attend a graduate collection defense at a top fashion school, where she sat with a jury of industry leaders and gained behind-the-scenes insights.

"Those conversations helped me see what’s really valued in the industry. And they happened because I put myself out there and showed curiosity," she says.

Phuc echoes this: "Attend talks, ask thoughtful questions, follow up. These actions build trust and show your genuine interest, not just in a job, but in learning from people."

Ngoc adds a final reminder: "Don’t box yourself in too early. I almost turned down my internship because it was labeled ‘marketing.’ But it ended up being one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had."

Final note

From missteps to fast-paced teamwork and unexpected breakthroughs, the journey from classroom to career is rarely linear. It’s a path shaped by attitude, adaptability, and authenticity.

Whether it’s delivering a package, conducting field interviews, or juggling deadlines across time zones, every challenge has something to teach. These RMIT students show us that it’s not about knowing everything, it’s about showing up ready to learn, grow, and connect.

Transfer student acing an internship in Melbourne

Story: Pham Thanh Thao, Professional Communication student at RMIT Vietnam, featuring insights from Ngan Phung, Phuc Phan, Duc Huynh, and Ngoc Nguyen.

30 June 2025

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