New University of the Sunshine Coast graduate Michael Van Brummen has turned an internship during his degree into a job as a graduate software engineer at a major national insurance and banking company in Brisbane.

Michael was already working at Suncorp when he officially received his Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology at USC’s recent Graduation Ceremony.

He was awarded a Faculty Commendation for a grade point average of 6 out of 7 and previously received the IC Solutions Prize for topping the ICT Architecture and Systems Integration course.

“I actually started working in the industry during my second year of uni, as a business technology intern at Suncorp,” said the Caboolture 24-year-old.

“At the end, I was offered a graduate role and was able to work part-time while I finished my studies.

“I feel it was a pretty organic transition from student to professional. Everything I learned during my degree I now apply daily, just on a much larger scope than in the classroom.”

Michael, who attended Tullawong State High School, previously completed a year of study at a Brisbane university before choosing USC “for the freedom of driving to the campus and the relaxed atmosphere of the Sunny Coast”.

“I really appreciated USC’s smaller class sizes. It offered a more intimate learning environment where I could easily engage with my lecturers, tutors and the course material and not feel like I was getting lost in the crowd.”

He intends to be a technology trailblazer during his career.

“I want to be a part of something big, innovative and disruptive. I want to be involved with the next Google, the next Facebook, the next company that changes not only the technological landscape but also everyday life.”

Applications are now open to start studying at USC mid-year. For more information visit the website or contact Student Administration at information@usc.edu.au or 5430 2890.

— Julie Schomberg