ACS Queensland's Gateway to Tech Careers in Townsville – Key event takeaways

^Highlights

• Our Townsville Chapter recently hosted their first event of the year, discussing tech career opportunities and pathways in North Queensland.

ACS Queensland's Gateway to Tech Careers in Townsville was a fantastic event showcasing informative discussions from an expert panel of regional IT and industry professionals.

Supported by the ACS Townsville Chapter, the evening fostered a great networking atmosphere, with many new connections made across student, educator, employer, and professional levels.

A key takeaway was the need for continuous learning and adaptability, as lifelong growth is now an expectation. Jan Zeilinga, CISO, JCU noted that technology access is no longer a barrier in regional areas, with infrastructure like NBN and Starlink leveling the playing field. Dr Anusha Hewage, Head of Software Engineering, Platform Modernization, Digital First, and Identity Management at JCU, highlighted the intentionality behind moving to regional cities — people come to give or gain knowledge and opportunities, creating a naturally supportive ecosystem.

For those hesitant to apply for roles, Willis Lin reminded attendees that it’s not their job to assess themselves — just apply and make an impression, as it might lead to unexpected opportunities. Betsy Gregg, Director, Migration Pathways, ACS, encouraged writing your own invitation to opportunities instead of waiting for doors to open.

Felipe Duncan, CDO, JCU Technology Solutions Team emphasized the importance of diverse teams to avoid collective blind spots, while Noush Pendashteh, Head of Digital Applications and Business Capability at JCU reassured women in tech of the unique strengths they bring that may not appear in a job description.

The panel also tackled industry realities — George Veneris, Principal Project Officer, Migration Queensland, advised applicants to proactively explain their visa status to employers using VEVO. The event underscored the wealth of opportunities in regional tech and the importance of continuous learning, self-belief, and proactive career-building. It was an inspiring evening for all who attended.

A sincere thanks to the ACS team making it possible (Caitlin Hultgren, Betsy Gregg, Angela Chen, Holly Bretherton, along with the ACS Townsville Chapter – particularly Willis Lin, Grant Wilson, Kate Casey and David Beitey).