5 Minutes with ACS Victoria Technology Talent Program participant, Nathan Pham  

15 February 2022

• Nathan Pham, talks about himself and his tech career journey.
• Shares his passion and experience of the fast paced tech industry and provides advice on how to keep your skills up to date.
• Explains how the ACS Victoria Technology Talent Program supported his tech career and share his greatest advice for success.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself (Course you studied, university, hobbies)

To the readers of the ACS newsletter, my name is Nathan Pham, and I am a graduate of Monash University. I studied a Bachelor of IT, majored in Business Information Systems and minored in Software Development. I am a sportsperson, podcaster, and a tech enthusiast. My top 3 sports would be soccer, basketball, and tennis. I am a fan of the LA Lakers, FC Barcelona, and Rafael Nadal. I love podcasting. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to work with friends and created our podcast. Our platform allowed students to share their thoughts on different student-related subjects and social matters during the major lockdown of 2020. Lastly, I love to read about tech, the industry updates and the entrepreneurs behind some of the most outstanding disruptive companies of the industry. Some of my go-to sources include Forbes, NPR, ACS Information Age, What The Flux Podcast, and many more.

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

Technology is ever-changing, and it is always important to update yourself on the latest trends and the different technologies implemented. I am grateful for the knowledge that I gained throughout my time at Monash. However, I always wanted to learn more about the industry. Therefore, during university, I attended hackathons such as UNIHACK, Monash Hackamon. Through these hackathons, I was introduced to various concepts and development platforms, learned from my peers, and developed the ability to adapt and innovate to create solutions that solve actual problems facing various industries. After graduation, I continued to learn and develop my capabilities to help me further my career in tech. I did this by attending different industry events provided by ACS as part of my membership, obtaining relevant certificates, and participating in other online courses.

Q: How has ACS membership, in particular, the ACS Victoria Technology Talent Program, supported you in your journey to a tech career?

The ACS membership has provided me with a solid foundational step to my career. I was fortunate to be one of the 24 members of the prestigious ACS Victoria Technology Talent Program. As a result, I got the chance to meet my peers and success-driven professionals, develop my skills through a series of workshops, and be mentored by industry experts. I learned from my peers' experiences and stories through the networking sessions. In addition, the workshops provided me with valuable insights on how to approach and maintain communication with potential employers. Most importantly, however, is the opportunity to be mentored by Steven Pereira, whose advice I hold dear to my heart. He also gave me practical and invaluable guidance on starting and maintaining a successful career in the IT field.

Q: What are you doing differently now that you didn’t before the program?

As an international graduate, before the program, I used to think that it was going to be extremely challenging to have a successful career in IT in Australia. However, I understood the importance of being resilient, working hard, being innovative, and constantly networking and meeting with people in the industry. As a result, I changed my approach to my job applications and in my individual work. Opportunities will come eventually, as long as you stay persistent and continuously build up the skills required.

Q: What is the greatest advice that helped you land this job?

"Have a purpose,

Be committed,

Strive to do your best,

Have a servant's heart,

Always be humble."

Q: Why would you encourage your peers to become ACS members?

The ACS membership can change your career in many ways. For example, the different listening forums, newsletters, and online conferences can help you gain a plethora of industry knowledge and insights. Additionally, the workshops provided are invaluable for practical self-development. Moreover, the networking events and the Technology Talent program can help graduates network with peers, industry-leading experts and develop valuable skills. Lastly, you can also gain access to many prestigious credentials and certificates and add to your professional accolades.