The three-month internship I completed with LoanOptions.ai in Sydney was far from the typical intern experience — no photocopying or making tea. Instead, I worked on real projects. My managers praised my strong work ethic multiple times, noting my punctuality and dedication to completing every task. This commitment paid off when I was offered a full-time position as a policy analyst.
I initially planned to leave Vietnam to study abroad, a decision supported by my father and common among my high school peers. I chose the SP Jain School of Global Management in Sydney, attracted by its scholarships and the opportunities available in Australia. Arriving in Sydney in August 2022, I faced a big change—from Vietnam’s heat to Australia's cold and rainy winter—and the challenge of being far from home. A restaurant job helped me gain confidence and financial independence, so I no longer needed to rely on my parents.
During my undergraduate program in data science, I became passionate about coding and data science, which were gaining popularity in 2022. My first internship at a software development center was focused on learning resources rather than projects, but it helped me discover valuable online courses by experts like Andrew Ng and Yann LeCun. Later in my degree, I enjoyed studying algorithms, machine learning, and deep learning, and my self-taught skills gave me a head start.
In my final year, I applied for an internship with LoanOptions.ai through my school’s placement office. The interview focused on my personality and fit, rather than technical skills. Starting the internship just before the second half of my final year, I balanced it with my studies and a part-time hotel receptionist job. Managing all three was tough, especially near deadlines, but I stayed committed—sometimes coding during work shifts and checking training progress remotely.
During the internship, I learned the importance of a solid work ethic. I didn’t need to work overtime or take extra breaks, but I always completed my tasks thoroughly. I believe this dedication made me stand out to the managers. Towards the end, I inquired about job opportunities and was told it depended on the budget. A month before graduating in April 2025, I was thrilled to receive an offer to join full-time as a policy analyst.
Having a strong foundation in math and coding helped me secure this AI-related job straight out of college. University provided the perfect time to start internships: the first in Vietnam showed me what to learn, while the one at LoanOptions.ai proved my capabilities and led directly to a career in AI.