Chanon Kachornvuthidej

"Whether it’s a research project that you’re proud of or a personal side project, UQ offers various ways to showcase your work to the world and many opportunities to pursue your interests."

How did studying a science degree at UQ help get you where you are today?

In my career, I'm striving for the flexibility to work and travel worldwide, thanks to my unique industry expertise and globally recognised qualification from UQ.

Studying a Bachelor of Science at UQ meant that I was able specialise in both Computer Science and Psychology. The combination of technical proficiency with a deep understanding of human behaviour places gives me ‘the best of both worlds’ and places me in a highly advantageous position to offer innovative solutions and insights that stand out in a global context.

What was the best part of your time at UQ?

UQ's extensive partnerships and collaborative programs with leading global universities as well as the opportunity to broaden my global network and immerse myself in the rich multiculturalism that thrives on campus were a significant factor in my decision to enrol at UQ.

Whether it’s a research project that you’re proud of or a personal side project, UQ offers various ways to showcase your work to the world and many opportunities to pursue your interests. During my time at UQ, I had many amazing experiences, including travelling to Newcastle to present research I had worked on during a summer break with my professor in my second year at UQ. The following year, I had the opportunity to visit Tokyo to speak about my experiences studying at UQ as an international student. We also had a guest lecturer at St Lucia who was a former NASA astronaut, teaching us about physics and the future of space travel. I also had the opportunity to become an AWS Certified Developer Associate. These experiences wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't chosen to enrol at UQ.

Living at UQ International House College was an incredible experience that introduced me to a tight-knit community. We had weekly get togethers where residents shared stories about their life experiences and their culture, and there were also fun competitions in sports, music, debate, and dance with other nearby colleges, which brought us all even closer.

I was also a member of various clubs and societies during my studies including UQ Photography, Queensland University Music Society, and UQ’s Computing Society. Through these clubs, I made great friends – many of whom I still keep in touch with today.

What kind of work do you do as part of your job?

In my daily role, I focus on the development and upkeep of cloud infrastructures that support cross-platform applications catering to users nationwide. We occasionally conduct on-site visits to gather user input and feedback, which in turn helps us enhance our system even further.

What is the best part of your job?

What I enjoy most about my position is waking up every day and realising that I have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people with nothing more than a single laptop and the wizardry of coding.

Recently, I have been selected as one of the delegates representing Thailand by the US Department of State under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) 2023 program. I’m excited to have the opportunity to speak in front of US policymakers about my work experiences, projects, and vision as an emerging young leader from the ASEAN community under the theme of Social Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.

What advice would you offer to anyone thinking about studying at UQ?

It is true that studying overseas is a considerable investment for international students like myself, but the yield on this investment is for life.