5 Minutes With... Jorel Basangan, ACS Student Member and Ambassador

25th August 2020

Highlights

• In this article ACS Student Member Jorel Basangan walks us through his career aspirations.
• Jorel is an active ACS Victoria Student Ambassador for Swinburne University.
• Read more to find out his secrets of keeping his skills up to date and how ACS membership has supported his career journey. 

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Jorel Basangan and I am currently in my third and final year studying the BBIT - Bachelor of Business Information Technology (Professional) degree at Swinburne University. My interests are mainly in business technology, data management and data analytics, as well as cyber and information security. Outside a life of studying and being curious about technology, I love my sports and music. My hobbies revolve around racket sports such as badminton and table tennis, and I can easily entertain myself on my piano or guitar for hours on end. Recently I have also taken a liken to cycling, so definitely adding that to the hobby list.  

2. Tech changes fast. How do you keep your tech skills up-to-date? 

One of the most important things for me is to keep an open mind to learning new concepts and always refining or building upon what I currently know. With this attitude, I first try to keep up to date with the latest technology and skills through social medial channels (i.e. LinkedIn), articles and newsletters; this information gets around quickly these days and is easily accessible. Then, in my own time I seek out online tutorials or courses that interest me the most and either solidify my current understanding of concepts or learn new, practical skills that I see will become relevant in my future line of work. I try to keep a balance between keeping the skills I have acquired up to scratch and learning new skills to add to my overall skillset.  

3. Who is your tech mentor or a leader that inspires you and why? 

Personally, the closest thing I have to a tech mentor is my dad. Being a professional in the IT industry, he has introduced me to technology from a very young age and has helped me realise a passion for IT throughout my academic career. He has always been a source of wisdom I could draw from whether it is for technical IT concepts or general career advice. I think it is comforting to have someone like him to support me on my journey into a professional IT career. 

4. How has ACS membership supported you in your journey to a tech career? 

Through my membership with ACS, I have been able to complement my academic studies with ACS’ online courses, videos and material which come from industry experts in the field. It has given me great insight on what skills are likely to be relevant in my field and has allowed me to refine what I have learnt from university. The ACS has also given me the confidence to become more involved at industry events and workshops, which is important for self-development and forming those working relationships with peers and professionals in IT.  

5. Why would you encourage your peers to become an ACS member? 

When you become an ACS member, you join a supportive and connected network of like-minded people. It is a step in the right direction when it comes to becoming directly involved in the industry and is a great platform for students to be recognised early in their careers. Membership also gives you exclusive access to a wealth of information, resources, and opportunities to further develop your career in tech. I think for me I see the most benefit in having a sense of belonging to my industry and staying connected and up to date with movements in Australia’s IT sector. 

"5 Minutes With..." is a series of articles showcasing exceptional ACS Members and their amazing, innovative, and game changing stories. Representing over 48,000 tech professionals across Australia, our Members work across industry, government, research, and education organisations and each edition highlights the role they are playing in making Australia a world leader in technology talent, fostering innovation, and creating new forms of value.