Mikosei builds a new career in IT

After working in creative freelance roles, Mikosei decided to challenge herself by entering a more technical, problem‑solving field.

She completed a Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120) supported by Fee-Free TAFE funding. Mikosei then undertook a Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50220), gaining even more industry‑relevant skills and confidence along the way.

“I wanted to test myself in a completely different environment,” Mikosei said.

“Vocational education stood out to me because it’s practical and focused on real‑world skills you can actually use in a job.”

The Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120) is an entry‑level qualification designed to kick‑start careers in information and communications technology (ICT).

The course is designed to equip students with practical skills through a foundation stream and a range of specialised streams, allowing learners to tailor their training to the role they want and build strong workplace‑ready capability.

Building on this foundation, Mikosei progressed to the a Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50220), a nationally recognised qualification designed for people looking to take the next step in their studies or elevate their career in technology.

“The progression from the Certificate III into the Diploma really helped me deepen my skills and confidence,” Mikosei said.

“It gave me a clear sense of direction and helped prepare me for the responsibilities of a real IT role.”

Delivered in a supportive, interactive learning environment, Mikosei’s training helped her develop strong technical capability in hardware and software troubleshooting, device maintenance and structured fault diagnosis.

“The learning was very practical, which really suited how I work,” she said.

“Being able to physically dismantle and reassemble computers and work through real troubleshooting scenarios gave me confidence that I could handle problems in the workplace.”

Within 18 months of commencing her studies, Mikosei secured employment as an IT Support Officer in a school environment close to home where she lives Toowoomba.

In her exciting new career, Mikosei supports staff and students with their daily technology needs.

“I use what I learned at TAFE Queensland every day,” she said.

“Whether it’s managing devices, fixing issues quickly or communicating clearly with staff and students, the skills I developed through my training directly prepared me for my role.”

Mikosei credits both her trainers and the learning environment for helping her succeed, particularly while managing Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during her studies.

“The support, patience and flexibility from my trainers made a huge difference,” she said.

“They encouraged me to ask questions, seek clarification and advocate for my learning, which helped me build confidence not only as a student, but as a professional.”

Mikosei said thoughtful adjustments in the classroom made a big difference to how she processed and retained information.

“My teacher would often have the PowerPoints ready before each class so I could read along as she taught, which really helped me follow the content and stay engaged,” she explained.

“Each session was recorded and uploaded afterwards, with subtitles included, so I could re‑watch and absorb the information again, especially on the days when I knew I might forget a lot.”

Now well established in her new career, Mikosei is a strong advocate for vocational education and often encourages others to consider VET pathways.

“I love telling people that vocational training can lead straight to meaningful work,” she said.

“For me, it provided direction, confidence and a clear pathway into employment.”

In recognition of her outstanding achievements and commitment to vocational education, TAFE Queensland has nominated Mikosei for the Darling Downs and South West Region Vocational Student of the Year Award in the Queensland Training Awards.