From international student to industry innovator: Mai's outstanding journey in IT

When Mai first arrived in Australia from Japan, she did not set out to become an award-winning technology professional. She simply wanted to solve a problem she had witnessed firsthand. 

At the Melbourne Polytechnic 2026 Graduation Mai was awarded both the Outstanding Business & Construction Higher Education Student of the Year and the Outstanding Higher Education Student of the Year awards, recognised for her exceptional academic achievement, leadership and industry impact.  

Mai's journey is a powerful example of how curiosity, determination, and a commitment to helping others can lead to extraordinary outcomes. 

Finding purpose through technology 

Before studying information technology, Mai worked in the real estate industry in Japan, supporting administrative functions such as contract preparation and property management. 

During that time, she noticed that many sales professionals were spending countless hours on repetitive administrative tasks instead of focusing on their clients. 

"I wanted to help my colleagues," Mai said. "The more I learned about automation, the more I wanted to understand the technology behind it rather than just using the tools." 

That desire to create meaningful change led her to Melbourne Polytechnic. Starting her Information Technology studies at certificate level, she progressed through a Diploma pathway before enrolling in the Bachelor of Information Technology, building her knowledge and confidence step by step.

Learning by doing 

For Mai, Melbourne Polytechnic's practical approach to education was a perfect fit. 

"I enjoy understanding the theory behind things, but what really helps me learn is applying that knowledge and seeing the outcome," she said. 

Throughout her studies, she developed skills in software development, system design, artificial intelligence and automation while learning how to solve real world problems and create solutions that deliver genuine value. 

Her commitment to learning translated into exceptional academic results. Mai consistently achieved High Distinctions throughout her degree and was recognised by lecturers for her ability to combine technical excellence with practical application. 

Overcoming challenges with resilience 

Mai's success did not come without obstacles. 

Studying in a completely new field while learning in a second language presented significant challenges. Technical discussions in group projects were particularly difficult in the beginning. 

"There were times when I understood the concept, but it took me a lot longer to express my ideas clearly in English," she said. 

Balancing study, work and personal responsibilities also required careful planning and discipline. To stay on track, Mai developed detailed schedules and focused on one task at a time rather than becoming overwhelmed by multiple deadlines. 

Her perseverance, combined with support from classmates, lecturers, family and friends, helped her push through the challenges and continue growing both academically and personally. 

Bringing innovation to life 

One of the most rewarding experiences of Mai's degree was her capstone project, where she led a team of three students in developing an AI integrated medical intake system for a real client. 

The project combined voice recognition, generative AI and secure data management to streamline medical intake processes. As team leader, Mai coordinated planning, system design, development and stakeholder communication while ensuring the project met both technical and client requirements.  

For Mai, the project represented the culmination of everything she had learned throughout her studies. 

"It was like putting everything we learned together," she said. 

The system was successfully delivered to the client and demonstrated Mai's ability to apply emerging technologies to solve complex real-world problems. Her leadership, communication skills and technical expertise were recognised as key contributors to the project's success. 

Making an impact in industry 

Mai's passion for automation also shone during her internship with property technology business www.apartments.com.au 

After discussing her enthusiasm for automation during the interview process, she was given the opportunity to tackle time-consuming business challenges. Remarkably, she built her first automation solution on the second day of her internship. 

Over three months, Mai developed multiple automation tools that significantly improved operational processes. In her award nomination, she noted that her work reduced weekly manual processing from 20 hours to just three hours. 

The experience reinforced her belief that technology is most powerful when it helps people focus on more meaningful work. 

A career built on curiosity 

Following graduation, Mai returned to Japan and recently began a permanent role as an Automation Software Engineer with a major telecommunications company. 

Her mission remains the same as when she first discovered automation in the real estate industry. 

"One of the reasons I decided to study IT was because I wanted to help reduce repetitive work and free up people's time so they can focus on more valuable tasks," she said. 

She is currently working on automating customer support and accounting processes, continuing to create practical solutions that improve efficiency and productivity.

A well-deserved recognition 

Despite receiving Melbourne Polytechnic's highest student honours, Mai remains humble about her achievements. 

When she learned she had won the awards, her first reaction was surprise. 

"I thought one of my classmates would receive the award," she said. "I felt lucky and really grateful because I got so much support from them, from my lecturers and from my family and friends." 

Her lecturers describe her as a student who embodies academic excellence, ethical innovation, leadership and community contribution. From mentoring teammates and representing Melbourne Polytechnic at international student events to volunteering with the Wyndham Women's Support Group, Mai has consistently used her skills to make a positive difference.

Advice for future students 

Looking back on her journey, Mai encourages future IT students to remain curious and focus on solving problems rather than chasing technology trends. 

"The biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and look for opportunities to apply what you're learning in practice," she said. 

"Technology changes very quickly but understanding what people need and finding practical ways to help them is always useful." 

It is advice she has lived throughout her own journey. From an international student studying in her second language to Outstanding Business & Construction Higher Education Student of the Year and the Outstanding Higher Education Student of the Year, Mai's story demonstrates the remarkable outcomes that can be achieved when passion, persistence and purpose come together.