Diving deep pays dividends for IT Masters alumna
Embracing every opportunity during her Master’s degree led to enormous personal and career growth for University of Melbourne alumna Laradell Tria.
Laradell moved from the Philippines to Melbourne in February 2023, initially to explore the world of data science. Three years later, after a direction pivot, she holds a Master of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence).
From volunteering in a program encouraging girls to consider IT careers, to being a Student Ambassador, to receiving an Airwallex Scholarship, Laradell went from strength to strength at the University and is now establishing her career in software development at a Melbourne startup.
She recently returned to campus to share her experiences for International Women’s Day.
Laradell began her University of Melbourne journey pursuing a Master of Data Science. However, in a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly developing, she recognised the potential of information technology and AI. Drawing on her experience as a software engineer in the Philippines, she transferred to a Master of Information Technology, and particularly enjoyed the subject, Software Project, which requires students to work in a team for a real client.
“It was great exposure to communication, teamwork, public speaking and the technical aspects of software engineering. Working on those skills made the transition to the workforce much easier,” she said.
The app her team developed, “Lost and Hound,” aimed to help communities find and reconnect with lost pets and their owners using AI. It was shortlisted for an award in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology’s Endeavour Exhibition, a biannual showcase of student projects.
During her studies, Laradell received a 2023 Airwallex scholarship. The global financial technology company was established by a group of University of Melbourne alumni and now has a pivotal partnership with the University, which aims to help nurture the next generation of technology leaders.
“I was worried I wouldn’t be successful, but decided to still apply and try my best,” she said.
The scholarship provided financial support for her studies, including a new laptop, support for other learning programs, networking opportunities with fellow scholars and one-on-one mentoring with an Airwallex employee.
“The mentoring gave me perspective on how IT is different to what I was used to back home,” she said.
“For example, they consider many technical aspects beyond coding, like coming up with creative solutions in order to give an edge over competitors.”
During her course, Laradell volunteered as a Student Ambassador, which sharpened her confidence, communication and public speaking skills.
“I was introverted in my home country,” she said. “I've grown by doing a lot of practice and public speaking as a Student Ambassador. Talking to students, other ambassadors and teachers helped me overcome my nervousness.”
After finishing her Masters in 2024, Laradell volunteered in the Go Girl, Go for IT program for girls in Years 5–12 to explore IT as a career pathway. She was part of an all-women team working on data analytics for the program, which allowed her to explore the subject she shifted away from when she arrived at the University.
“When I started working on that project, there were a lot of big questions. What do I do? This experience helped me to gain a better understanding of data analytics, something that I wanted to do when I started here.”
Now working at a Melbourne-based financial services startup company, called IntegraDev, she continues to engage with initiatives for women in information technology.
“International Women’s Day is a time to honour women both in my industry and beyond,” she said. “It is a time to learn about the women who have gone through a lot in their lives and successfully built from that. It creates a space specifically for women to be acknowledged and, for me, to celebrate women like my mum, friends and teachers, who helped me on my journey.”
Laradell actively follows women influencers on LinkedIn, many who were IT pioneers and are now leaders in their companies.
“Talking to women in the field helps me feel at ease and keeps me motivated and think that ‘Yes, I can do it too,’” she said.