My Career Journey

Current Benefits

As a member of ACS and a staff member and alumni of JCU, I have seen how integrating ACS can enhance work and school life. During my five months with ACS, I have already:

• Earned the Certified Technologist (CT) award, showcasing my expertise in programming at a SFIA level 3[i]. This is a highly recognised certificate and is commendable for any IT employee to achieve.
• Obtained more than thirty industry-recognised certificates in several areas of IT, including: programming, cybersecurity, management, directorship, and networking.
• Engaged in numerous in-person events to broaden my network and unlock invaluable mentorship opportunities.
• Attended online workshops, presentations, and webinars to expand my IT skills.

These are just a few of the existing advantages I am offered with ACS. If students are wanting to further their experience with ACS, they can become a YTA Ambassador.

Young Tech Ambassador (YTA)

As a current YTA Ambassador, I understand the crucial role of proactively seizing opportunities – a challenge many students face during and after their studies. ACS plays a pivotal role in guiding students through the transition to their careers, offering insights on how to navigate and capitalize on every opportunity that comes their way.

As a YTA Ambassador, I have embraced the following key responsibilities with enthusiasm:

• Engaging with local schools to educate and encourage students about IT career pathways.
• Producing insightful articles to assist university students in navigating the IT world, offering advice on securing work placements, connecting with the right professionals, setting realistic career expectations, and diversifying their skillsets.
• Encouraging staff-engagement with ACS’s online learning platform, the Learning Accelerator. This platform offers a multitude of certificates across many areas of IT, including but not limited to the areas I discussed previously.

I believe incorporating ACS into any student’s school life is critical to be successful and gain the necessary skills to navigate the IT world. These skills are not just limited to IT, but also networking, social, sales and management, which I believe are the essential survival skills for any emerging IT entrepreneur or enthusiast. 

To express your interest in joining the Young Tech Ambassador program (QLD residents exclusive) please Click here!

How This Benefits University Members?

Students and staff members can take full advantage of these benefits and customize them to support their short-term and long-term goals. For example, by adjusting the benefits I have outlined, we can clearly see the significant value ACS offers to university members:

• Prestigious certificates: Highly regarded accreditations like the Certified Technologist award can serve as a powerful motivator for students aiming to excel. Many students, already feeling the strain of their university workload, might question the value of diversifying their qualifications beyond a bachelor’s degree. As a JCU alumnus who had similar concerns, I believe that additional certificates can significantly improve chances for excellent work placements. Given that many entry-level IT positions still demand one-to-three years of experience, even with a degree, additional certifications from ACS can provide university students with added security and confidence, boosting their chances of success in the IT field.
  
  
• Internships: The ACS Career Platform offers extensive graduate and internship opportunities worldwide, catering to various fields beyond IT. This resource is invaluable for students looking to launch their IT careers, providing essential experience and industry connections. For staff, these internships offer a chance to gain experience in new areas for future transitions. By leveraging the ACS Career Platform, both students and staff can acquire the skills and networks necessary to achieve their career goals.
  
  
• Diversifying skills: The IT world is constantly evolving, and predicting its future can be nearly impossible. When I began my IT journey in 2019, I believed programming would remain the highest-requested job in IT… then ChatGPT was released in 2022 and doubt started to spread across the IT world. It is important for students to understand that diversifying their skills is essential in any profession, especially in IT. With ACS’s Learning Accelerator, students can move with the times and build confidence, as these certificates provide the knowledge and flexibility to excel across various IT fields.
  
  
• Virtual Opportunities: Online workshops, presentations and webinars not only enhance students’ abilities in IT but also connect them with like-minded IT enthusiasts. Given the constant evolution of IT, staying updated on every development is challenging. Students cannot track every change or learn every new concept, and trying to do so would be overwhelming. These virtual opportunities allow anyone (from any background or location) to engage with the latest ideas, breakdowns, workshops, and collaborative-sessions. Upcoming webinars can be found here, and past webinars can be found here.
  
  
• Networking: One common stereotype about IT enthusiasts is their struggle with effective communication and networking. Many students who conform to this stereotype may miss key opportunities because they often fail to recognise the immense benefits of networking early in their studies or careers. With ACS’s support, students can connect with remarkable individuals from around the globe at these events. By reaching out and engaging in face-to-face interactions, students can secure mentorships with industry leaders, obtain internships or work placements with major companies like Google and Microsoft, and break free from the IT stereotype to become exceptional self-promoters.

I implore universities, Tafes and colleges across Australia to consider educating and encouraging IT students about ACS. Take it from someone who has worked four years in IT across four IT companies, the greatest benefit I came across in my whole career is the incorporation of ACS.

Written by Jay Davis, Digital Workspace Developer, James Cook University
If you have any questions for Jay please connect with him via LinkedIn here. 

[1] ACS (2024). “Welcome to ACS”. ACS. Retrieved from https://www.acs.org.au/

[1] ACS (2024). “ACS Certification”. ACS. Retrieved from https://www.acs.org.au/professionalrecognition/certification-landing-page.html