Career Talk 2025 is a new flagship series by Elite TALKS designed to empower Vietnamese international students in Melbourne as they prepare to transition from study to the workforce.
Held monthly from May to October 2025, this four-part talk show series focuses on five key industries: Creative, AI & Data, Teaching and Healthcare. Each event will feature three invited speakers who have studied in the same field and successfully built a career — whether as employees in reputable companies or founders of their own ventures.
Career Talk is built around one core belief: that authentic stories create clarity. Our speakers won’t just share their achievements — they’ll take students behind the scenes of their real journey. From graduating university and applying for jobs, to facing rejection, adapting to industry expectations, and growing into confident professionals, they will open up about what it really takes to build a meaningful career.
Through this series, students will:
Understand the real pathways from education to employment
Learn what mindset shifts and skills are most valuable in their field
Get practical advice on job seeking, networking, and professionalism
Gain exposure to diverse role models who have walked the path before them
Career Talk 2025 isn’t just about information — it’s about building confidence, connection, and community. It gives students a space to ask questions, hear honest answers, and feel inspired to take their next step with clarity.
This aligns deeply with Elite TALKS’ mission: to use storytelling and wisdom-sharing to guide young people toward bold, informed futures.
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2025
SPEAKERS OF CAREER TALKS
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Thuong Nguyen
Financial Data Analyst at La Trobe University
Master of Business Analytics (Data Science Specialisation), La Trobe University
Vice-Chancellor Excellence Scholarship Recipient – Semester 2, 2023
Thuong Nguyen is the distinguished recipient of the Vice-Chancellor Excellence Scholarship at La Trobe
University — a prestigious, full-tuition award granted to only one student across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels per intake. She recently completed her Master of Business Analytics majoring in Data Science, graduating with High Distinction and a WAM of 85.75.
Thuong graduated as Valedictorian Runner-Up (Á khoa) with High Distinction in International Business from the International University – Vietnam National University, HCM. Her consistent academic performance and passion for data have translated into practical expertise through multiple paid internships and project roles in the fields of data science and analytics.
Currently, she works as a Financial Data Analyst in the Business Transformation team at La Trobe University, where she optimizes data models for complex reporting, develops dashboards, and delivers coursework profitability analysis to support strategic decision-making in evaluating academic program performance across the university. Prior to this, she held various data internship roles within the university and previously worked as an Information System Specialist at Mondelez International Vietnam and a CRM Data Analytics Intern at Abbott Vietnam.
With a rare combination of academic excellence and real-world experience across corporate and higher education sectors, Thuong brings a compelling voice to discussions on business analytics, international education, and the evolving role of data in decision-making.
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May Nguyen
Frontend Software Engineer, Canva
Swinburne Alumnus
May Nguyen is a Frontend Software Engineer at Canva, where she contributes to the design and development of user-facing features that support millions of users worldwide. With a background that bridges communication, business systems, and software engineering, May brings a uniquely multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving in tech.
She earned her Master’s degree in Business Information Systems from Swinburne University of Technology, graduating as the Highest Achieving Graduate in 2021 with a GPA of 3.8/4.0. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in International Communications from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, where she was also awarded the Outstanding Academic Achievement Scholarship.
Before joining Canva in 2024, May worked for nearly three years at Sapia, an AI-driven recruitment platform, as a Full Stack Engineer. There, she led several key initiatives in system design, cloud architecture, and user experience enhancement across millions of end users. She also gained early research experience at Swinburne and began her career in marketing and digital media roles in Vietnam’s fast-growing tech scene.
Her career exemplifies adaptability, continuous learning, and a passion for building meaningful digital experiences. At Career Talks 2025, May will share insights from her transition from communications to coding, as well as her reflections on diversity, growth, and building impact as a woman in tech.
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Jasie Ngo
Senior Data Solutions Engineer, Telstra
Monash Alumnus
Jasie Ngo is a Senior Data Solutions Engineer at Telstra, where she leads the design and implementation of scalable data systems that support enterprise-wide analytics and innovation. Her work focuses on DataOps, machine learning pipelines, and marketing analytics solutions that enable data-driven decision making across Telstra’s digital infrastructure.
Jasie holds a double degree from Monash University in Commerce and Computer Science, with majors in Marketing Science and Data Science. Her academic pathway reflects a strong interdisciplinary mindset — combining business intelligence with technical depth. Throughout her studies, she actively participated in consulting challenges, technical workshops, and peer mentoring programs.
Originally from Melbourne, Jasie has been recognised for her academic excellence and professional capability since her high school years. Her ability to navigate both corporate and technical environments has positioned her as a strong contributor in cross-functional teams.
GET YOUR TICKET
This event is sponsored by
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SW Education
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Proactive Legal
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Diamond Sponsor
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Victoria University
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Swinburne University
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La Trobe University
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PREVIOUS SPEAKERS
OF CAREER TALK
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Natalie Phạm
Digital Marketing Officer | Content Creator
Natalie Phạm – also known online as “Minh Ngọc, transfer student at RMIT Melbourne” – exemplifies what it means to pursue the right academic path and translate it into a relevant professional career through persistence and focus.
A graduate of RMIT University with a degree in Marketing, Natalie is currently working in her field of study as a Digital Marketing Officer in the education sector—a professional environment that demands adaptability, creativity, and a strong grasp of the digital landscape.
Beyond her role, Natalie is an active content creator. Her personal TikTok channel, “Cột sống tại Melbourne 🇦🇺”, has gained a following of over 8,000 users. On this platform, she shares practical advice, personal reflections, and real-life experiences related to studying and working in the creative sector as an international student in Australia.
Natalie’s journey underscores the challenges and rewards of staying aligned with one’s academic and career goals, particularly in a competitive market like Australia. Her commitment to learning, growing, and giving back through storytelling continues to inspire many young creatives navigating similar paths.
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Hưng Đào
Founder, Moment-Hunters Photography & Videography
With over 18 years of experience in the creative industry, Hưng Đào is a visual storyteller whose work spans photography, videography, and post-production. Based in Melbourne, he is recognised for producing emotionally resonant imagery and compelling visual narratives for a wide range of major brands and campaigns.
As the founder of Moment-Hunters Photography & Videography, Hưng has built a studio known not only for its technical excellence and artistic precision but also for its distinctive storytelling approach and strong visual identity. His ability to blend aesthetics with meaning has made his work stand out in Melbourne’s competitive creative landscape.
Beyond his creative output, Hưng is committed to supporting the next generation of storytellers. Moment-Hunters has become a valuable training ground for many international students in Australia who are passionate about photography, filmmaking, and visual media. Under his guidance, numerous young creatives have gained hands-on experience and found clearer direction in their creative careers.
At Career Talks 2025, Hưng will share practical insights drawn from nearly two decades of industry experience, offering young creatives both inspiration and actionable guidance on how to develop their skills and thrive in the creative sector.
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Annabeth Đỗ
Founder, Anna M Event Boutique | Art Instructor, AN’S ART STUDIO
Annabeth Đỗ – also known as Đỗ Diệp Anh – returns to Career Talks 2025 as a featured speaker in the Creative sector, following her impactful appearance at Elite TALKS 2024, where she shared a heartfelt story on gratitude.
Annabeth is the founder of Anna M Event Boutique, a Melbourne-based creative startup operating for nearly half of a decade, and also works as an art instructor at AN’S ART STUDIO. She is widely recognised for her artistic sensitivity and her ability to use art as a bridge for connection and social impact. Notably, she has introduced art as a form of therapy for elderly Vietnamese Australians living with dementia, applying creativity to support mental well-being within the community.
With a solid background in visual storytelling and a deep commitment to community engagement, Annabeth brings valuable insight into the realities of working in the creative field. Her presence at Career Talks 2025 promises to offer young participants not only practical advice on creative careers but also a broader perspective on pursuing passion with purpose.
