Degree: Diploma of IT + Bachelor of Cyber Security
Current position: Systems and Security Administrator at ARB Corporation
My name is Pete Mobilia, and I am originally from Wodonga on the border of NSW and VIC, however, I now live in Frankston, southeast of Melbourne.
At Deakin College, I studied the Diploma of Information Technology and graduated in early 2022. I am currently studying my Bachelor of Cyber Security at Deakin University, with only 3 units to go. I am also a Systems and Security Administrator at ARB Corporation in Kilsyth.
It was actually my wife that chose Deakin College after she was fed up with me complaining about how much I hated my job, but it ultimately came down to my high school grades that just weren’t up to scratch, so Deakin College gave me a second chance to prove myself and to get into University.
Deakin College gave me the confidence to learn by providing interesting content with engaging educators. I’ve never been an academic, and in fact, I passed my very first Maths test at Deakin College, thanks to the amazing math wizards, Sobhan Hosseini, Will Taggart and Gavin Cole. Maths has always been a roadblock in my life, and being able to prove to myself that I could do complex math equations, I knew I could go on to pass the entire degree.
Whilst I was at Deakin College, I participated in the Student Committee and also became a Student Learning Mentor for IT. Being able to contribute to these programs really gave me confidence and helped me to mature academically. By being able to teach other students the concepts I had learnt, it helped to consolidate the learning for myself, and strengthened my understanding. I also helped develop an unofficial Deakin IT Discord community, that I am now the leader of. This grew from around 20 members to now having over 500 members today. (All students are welcome to join.)
Whilst I didn’t make use of the support available, Deakin College had plenty of information and Zoom Sessions when it came to transitioning to University. The units that I completed in college had a direct relationship to the units I went on to complete in University and I felt prepared when I transitioned. Deakin University also has professional development units that can help prepare younger students for their first job or career which is also beneficial.
The classes I took at Deakin College were the most engaging, interesting, and fun I’ve had during my entire degree. The teachers genuinely wanted to support my development and took the time to help me, even after hours! The icebreakers and general chit-chat were great social interactions during COVID, and it was encouraged to meet fellow students. In fact, I still talk to some of my classmates today. The learning material was also fantastic and set up in such a way that it was easy to learn. I am forever grateful for the time and effort put in by my teachers at Deakin College.
The hands-on approach to learning really helped build practical skills in areas such as Cloud Computing and database management, however, one of the most valuable skills I gained was problem-solving. Furthermore, I was able to develop my communication and collaboration skills, which gave me the confidence to speak to industry leaders at networking events and work in teams at my current job.
The number one piece of advice I would offer to any aspiring student is to not do it alone. There is so much support available at Deakin College and you should use it. Attending networking events was also a great way for me to meet industry leaders to get my name out there, and to learn which path I wanted to take in my career. Collaborating with your peers is a must, particularly in IT, as there is no one-size-fits-all all approach, and everyone has a unique perspective on a problem, whether that is during your class, joining a club, or online Discord community like The Deakin IT Lounge. Finally, do not take group work for granted, and treat this like a job interview. You NEVER know if you will ever have to work with your fellow students in the future, or they may even turn out to be your hiring manager!