From Economics to Information Technology, from Vietnam to Australia: Tran Thuc Hi’s inspiring career shift journey

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From Economics to Information Technology, from Vietnam to Australia: Tran Thuc Hi’s inspiring career shift journey

At 29, Tran Thuc Hi made a bold move: pursuing a cross-disciplinary master’s degree in a completely new country. From early challenges, she transformed herself and created a turning point in her career, becoming an IT professional ready to build a new future in Australia.

RMIT Melbourne: Supporting non-traditional students

After graduating with a degree in International Economics from Foreign Trade University, Thuc Hi worked in marketing and SEO, where she gradually developed an interest in programming. Through self-study, she entered the IT field, but soon realised that a strong foundation was essential for long-term success in the field.

This led to her bold decision: to pursue a master's degree in IT in Australia. RMIT Melbourne was a logical choice, offering a program tailored for career changers: that included dedicated advisory services, and scholarships for international students.

The Master of IT program at RMIT Melbourne is designed for students from diverse backgrounds, including non-traditional learners like Thuc Hi. The first year covers foundational knowledge, introducing students to technical thinking and basic tools. The second year delves deeper into specialisations, allowing students to choose between research or practical career-oriented paths.

"I chose the practical path to prepare for work. The program is clear, accessible, and especially focused on hands-on experience. Each class at RMIT balances theory with practice. Lectures are delivered by academic staff, including professors, PhDs and researchers, while practical sessions often feature industry experts sharing insights directly with students," Thuc Hi shared.

RMIT Melbourne also offers a truly international environment, with students from Australia, Europe, India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and more - all bringing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Lecturers also hail from various countries, bringing rich teaching and work experience. This global, multidisciplinary setting has helped Thuc Hi gain specialised knowledge while developing dual modes of thinking, both technical and strategic, to tackle real business challenges.

Tran Thuc Hi at Graduation Ceremony in RMIT Melbourne

Overcoming challenges to forge a new career path

For a non-traditional master's student like Thuc Hi, studying 100% in English was initially challenging, from adapting to a new language, work styles to giving presentations. But with guidance from lecturers, peer support, and a diverse learning environment, she gradually caught up with the study program, building confidence and broadening her perspectives daily.

"Previously, I self-studied and worked but didn’t truly understand things deeply. Thanks to RMIT, I see the bigger picture, know how to learn, collaborate with others, and most importantly, I’m no longer lost."

Remarkably, her capstone project, done in collaboration with a real company - Shine Solutions - led to a job offer in Australia after graduation.

From being a “self-taught programmer”, Thuc Hi is now a full-time IT professional in Melbourne, with a solid foundation gained from RMIT. This has given her the confidence to pursue a long-term career.

"RMIT not only taught me how to work but also how to continue learning and growing," Thuc Hi shared.

Find out more about our Master's programs

31 July 2025

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