A big chunk of Australia’s migrants are professionals who migrate to Australia to take advantage of the vast opportunities that this country has to offer. They further their careers while contributing substantially to the Australian society by lending their skills. Although their journey may be teeming with success, it isn’t all sunshine and roses.
For today’s feature, we’re delighted to introduce you to a young professional who will share with us the things that she had experienced as she built her engineering career here in Australia. She’s someone that I’m personally quite fond of because she’s graduated from the same university (University of the Philippines Diliman) that my brother goes to and with the same degree at that. Please welcome, Marla:
A bit about me (Marla)
I am the eldest and the only daughter in my family. I have always been independent and have always loved the idea of traveling. I left our family house when I was 16 to study in Manila (capital city of the Philippines). I then became a licensed Geodetic Engineer and have thereafter found a job that suits me well as it involved traveling around the country. My life in the Philippines was simple, I work and travel during the weekdays, and I visit my family on the weekends.
Why Australia?
My university have partnered with the Australian government in bringing in engineers and skilled-workers through the Recognised Graduate Visa 476. I grabbed the opportunity since applying for this visa was super easy in my opinion. I just submitted my own visa application myself. As far as I could remember, I only needed the IELTS certificate, Health Examination and AU$380 for the application. Visa 476 is a really good entry point if you want to build your life in Australia. It allowed me to work or study in Australia for 18 months.
I loved my time in Australia, it was the best.
I lived in Australia for almost 3 years. A few months in Adelaide (South Australia) and the rest in Sydney (NSW). In Australia, there are plenty of opportunities available to professionals as well as to students. Not only that, Australia is also a beautiful country. The scenic spots are everywhere. You can drive just about anywhere and you would find a cool place to hang out at. Looking back, I can’t believe that I was able to manage a 55-hour work week, attend dance classes, and still have plenty of time for my social and spiritual health.
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Starting out was tough
The first 6 months were the hardest. I was away from my family and friends, and I didn’t have that much cash with me either. I was always worried that if something bad ever happens to me, I wouldn’t have anyone to rescue me. There was also all the anxiety and pressure to find a job quickly. It really took a toll on my mental health. I applied for a lot of jobs, had interviews, and got rejected right away because I didn’t have a Driver’s License. And that was my ultimate regret. If only I had a Driver’s License, I could have easily gotten a job.
Despite that, I still kept going and finally landed a job that’s perfect for me after a month of searching.
I have also experienced homesickness, culture shock and the extreme changes of weather which I didn’t like. My first winter in Australia was the worst. I was alone in Adelaide. maybe even had that “winter depression” and was going through a break-up. I am just very thankful to my fellow Filipinos who I’ve met in Australia as well as to my family and friends back home for really helping and supporting me when I was at my lowest point. After that rough patch, I was able to easily adapt and lived my life to the fullest.
Building my engineering career in Australia
Back in the Philippines, I always heard that surveyors are in demand in Australia. I exhausted Indeed, Seek, and even LinkedIn to look for job opportunities. But it didn’t turn out to be as easy. Most of the companies are looking for someone with local (Australian) work experience. But once you overcome that hurdle, the opportunities would follow.
I found my first job in Adelaide through LinkedIn. I sent a direct email to the CEO of the company. Fortunately he arranged an interview in Sydney, then after that he offered me the job. It was an internship program for a hydrography company, which was really a blessing at the time because I really wanted to pursue this career. I was hoping that I could work off-shore and do some field work, but because I didn’t have all the certifications and training required to work on a ship as a Hydrographic Surveyor (which cost thousands of dollars), I ended up just working in the office which was not bad at all. I was able to gather local work experience and was able to immerse myself in the Aussie work culture.
After that, I got an opportunity to work as a Construction Surveyor for Sydney Metro through a referral. It was easy for me to get through because the company already has many good Filipino employees. I had a short interview, and right away I got offered the job. The company I was working for was generous enough to offer a Work Sponsored Visa, but because I had other plans, I had to decline the offer.
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I’ve also experienced these
I had planned to move to Germany after the expiration of my visa. However, due to the pandemic, I was stuck in Australia. So I decided to get a diploma in the meantime while waiting for the borders to open again. As a student, I had to do part-time jobs to survive. I worked as a waitress at my landlord’s restaurant, only if he needed extra hands. I also worked in the promotions industry – flyering, manning booths, events helper, etc. I also did work for Estee Lauder as a picker and packer. I didn’t have regular shifts for these jobs, but I was still able to pay my monthly expenses and pay for my school.
The many ways in which Australia changed my life
First of all, I met my fiance in Australia. That was the biggest change in my life and I am very grateful for it. Also, I made friends, Filipinos and non-Filipinos, that I will treasure for the rest of my life. All the work experiences I had, professional and casual, and all the lessons I’ve learned while alone in a foreign country, made me the person that I am today —
Stronger, smarter, and definitely better than who I was in the Philippines.
Would I ever come back to Australia?
I left Australia to be with my fiance in Germany. Although Australia has been my home for almost 3 years, I didn’t hesitate to move to Germany to build a new life. As a person who loves to travel, moving to a different country is a very exciting thing for me. I am currently still learning the German language, but once I get my language certificate, I am hoping to get my career back on track.
If given a chance, my fiance and I would love to go back to Australia. It is a very special place for us, and we know the opportunities that country has to offer. If ever I can’t get a decent job here, we will definitely go back to Australia 🙂
How to make your life in AU a bit easier
Get a driver’s license in the Philippines! The process in Australia takes more time and is way more expensive. Especially if you want to work in the field as an engineer, it is better to have a license.
On a more serious note, always remember that “No Man is an Island”. Join Filipino communities, there are a lot of Filipino Facebook groups. Don’t be afraid to ask if you need help with something. More often than not, our fellow Filipinos will always be willing to lend a hand.
As an immigrant, living far away from your family, your fellow Filipinos are the closest thing you have to a family.
Also, have an open-mind and accept that we do not always know everything. Always be humble but also be firm with your principles in life. And lastly, work hard but also learn how to enjoy your life! Go out, see nature, dance in clubs, have picnics, attend that dance/art class, make friends, and never ever forget your family and friends in the Philippines.
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Authors: Marla x My Aussie Story
About the ” Your Aussie Story” series:
Immigrants in Australia, though from different cultures and backgrounds, tend to have similar experiences and common ‘struggles’ as they build their new life here in Australia. Through My Aussie Story, I’ve been trying to help out people like myself to be able to navigate the Australian way of life a little bit easier by sharing my own experiences.
I’ve always believed that every migrant’s journey would be less challenging if we learn from each other. This is why we’ve created Your Aussie Story. Your Aussie Story is a ‘series’ in our website where we feature inspiring stories of immigrants in Australia.
Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.
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