Changing careers can feel like starting over. For Haruka, it was more than a feeling. She was literally learning a new set of skills from scratch, in a completely new industry. But through careful planning and hard work, the decision to change paid off.
Before studying a Diploma of Information Technology ICT50220 at Melbourne Polytechnic, Haruka worked as a recruiter for over 6 years. Through her work, she met people from many different business departments, including human resources, legal, marketing, and information technology. Each person had a different story to tell about why they loved their career. When Haruka thought about her career satisfaction, she realised it was time for a change.
As she explored different career options, technology kept catching her attention. She wanted to build skills that felt more closely connected to how businesses operate, and future proof her career with AI innovations in mind.
"I wanted to do something core to a business, a unique or technical skill. So, I found that information technology might be my option."
After spending a year recruiting technology roles and learning more about the industry, Haruka decided to make the leap herself and enroll to study.
When she was considering her study options, Melbourne Polytechnic stood out for a few simple reasons: its location, affordable fees, and practical learning approach. Haruka also took the time to research former students on LinkedIn to see where their studies had taken them.
"I found that they had found jobs after studying," she says. "Even though it was entry-level technical roles, they had jobs after the course."
For Haruka, TAFE offered something she was looking for: hands-on learning and a direct pathway into new industry.
One of Haruka's biggest motivations for changing careers came from the engineers she met while working in recruitment. She remembers one in particular who took the time to explain what engineering work was really about.
"I found someone who really explained to me what they were doing... they were really proud of what they were working on."
That sense of purpose stayed with her and helped confirm that technology was a good decision.
Starting a new career wasn't without challenges. English is not Haruka's first language and learning technical concepts while studying in a second language took some extra time.
"Even though I could translate things into Japanese, I still didn't understand what those words meant," she says. "I needed time to translate the words and then understand what each of the concepts were about."
Through persistence, support from teachers, and determination, she built her confidence and technical knowledge.
All of Haruka's additional work was recognised when she was awarded the Melbourne Polytechnic Outstanding Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year award.
Today, Haruka is working as an Application and Cloud Support Engineer at Accenture, helping maintain, improve, and upgrade systems while working closely with clients. The role has allowed her to put her new skills into practice while continuing to learn every day.
She's still exploring where her career might take her next and is interested in deepening her expertise in cloud technologies and databases.
Haruka's message for anyone considering a career in IT is simple: don't let a lack of experience stop you.
"I started with zero skills," she says.
She encourages students to connect with people who are passionate about the industry and to keep working towards their goals, even when learning feels challenging.
"Lots of students are uncomfortable studying IT because they don't have any skills," she says. "Anything can happen if you work hard."
For Haruka, a career change meant stepping into the unknown and challenging herself every day. Her journey shows that it's never too late to start something new, and that with determination and the right support, a completely different future can be within reach.