How my Federation Co-op placement boosted my confidence and made me feel job-ready

Written by Vashista · 13 November 2025 · 4 min read

Having never left his home state of Telangana, Vashista never imagined he’d end up studying in Australia and loving it. His curiosity for computers and technology began in high school when he realised how fast the world of IT was evolving. He wanted to be part of that future, and studying with Federation University gave him the opportunity to combine learning with real-world experience through its Co-op program. Now, after completing his placement with the Graduate Research School, Vashista feels confident, connected, and ready to launch his career in the IT industry.

Vashista accepting his award as Federation University's Student Leader of the Year for 2025

Hello, I’m Vashista, an international student from India.

I’ve been keen to learn more about technology since high school. I really like computers, and I was curious to understand how different software and technology can improve people’s lives. When I started looking at universities in India and abroad, I noticed that Australia had some of the top universities with degrees recognised all around the world. I had never been outside Telangana before, so I also wanted the experience of travelling and studying somewhere new. My family were a little worried at first, I’d never lived away from home, and they knew I’d have to adjust to a completely different way of studying. Getting my English language score boosted my confidence to apply to Federation University and take that next step.

Settling into university life

At Mount Helen Campus in Ballarat, I found a friendly community that made it easy to learn and grow. The location, support, and the connections I’ve made have shaped my experience from the start.

As the main Federation University campus, Mount Helen offers that big university experience in a beautiful regional location. I knew studying in a busy city like Melbourne wasn’t for me, and I’m glad I chose Mount Helen, it’s a beautiful campus surrounded by nature.

It took me some time to step out of my comfort zone and talk to new people. I’m naturally introverted, and the culture felt completely different when I first arrived. But now I’ve made so many friends from different countries and backgrounds, and the campus, buildings, and even the Ballarat community feel really familiar.

One thing I really like about Mount Helen is that most of my professors and university services are located here. Having support close by makes it easier to ask for help in person, whenever I need it."

Getting involved in campus life really helped me adjust and build confidence. I joined Rise Crew to volunteer at events and became a Peer Mentor to connect with new students at Orientation. I gave them advice on where to go and what to do in their first weeks. It was important to me to support students who were just as nervous as I was when I first arrived. Those experiences helped me make new connections and feel part of a supportive community that always encourages you to grow.

Vashista proudly standing in front of a Ballarat bus featuring him and friends.

The value of Co-op and real-world experience

I saw Co-op placements advertised on campus and in emails during the second year of my degree. The Co-op Placement team guided me on the application process, and the Careers team helped me update my resume to apply using Fed’s InPlace system. After securing an interview, I even booked a 30-minute meeting with a Careers Advisor to help prepare.

My Co-op placement was with the Graduate Research School (GRS) at Federation University. This was my first experience working in a professional environment in Australia. My main project was to help the GRS automate communications to staff and students as they were doing this manually. I spent the first week or so learning their systems and investigating available tools, like Microsoft Power Automate, that may offer a solution. My supervisor was really helpful, encouraging me to ask questions and providing LinkedIn courses that extended my learning.

Working in a professional setting helped me to understand how IT contributes to the overall operations of an organisation. It also improved my problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills. I can say that this experience has made me more confident and job-ready.

The Co-op placement was one of the best experiences of my degree. It provided me with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that I learned in my course to real-world situations.

I can say that this experience has made me more confident and job-ready."

Accessible teachers and industry-relevant course content

The academics and learning environment at Federation University are excellent. Being at the main campus made it easy to approach my professors, and I’ve always found everyone to be approachable and supportive. The course content is very closely aligned with industry needs, which makes learning feel relevant. One of my favourite courses has been on web application development with Leigh, who is a fantastic teacher. He uses graphics and Gen Z content to make lectures engaging and easier to understand. The small class sizes also mean more personalised learning and interaction, which has been really valuable.

My career path beyond university

My career goal is to start working in an IT role where I can contribute meaningfully to a company. I’m especially passionate about cybersecurity and I want to continue developing expertise in that field. Initially, I wasn’t completely sure about my career direction, but as I progressed through my Bachelor of Information Technology course, my goals became much clearer. Now, I am confident about pursuing a career in cybersecurity, continuing to learn new technologies, and growing into more advanced roles over time.

See where a Fed Co-op placement could take you

There’s never been a more exciting time than now to launch a career in IT. The industry is evolving at such a fast pace thanks to the evolution of AI. Vashista’s story shows how Co-op placements and hands-on learning can make a real difference in your career. At Federation University, you’ll gain practical experience, support from industry mentors, and the confidence to succeed in the world of technology. That’s the Co-op difference.

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