Electrical engineer Karan Grover StudIEAust has been awarded International Student of the Year at Chisholm Institute of TAFE. He tells us about his road to success after moving to Australia in 2021. 

Karan made the move in December 2021 from Punjab in India. He had high hopes and excitement for the opportunities ahead, but found adjusting to a new country presented some challenges. 

“As an international student, I quickly realised that juggling my academic responsibilities, part-time work and adjusting to a new culture would be more difficult than I had expected,” Karan explains.  

“The first few months were difficult, with learning how to manage finances, deal with homesickness and navigate a new educational system.” 

Once Karan adapted to his study schedule and new environment, he started working part-time jobs at fast food outlets to support himself.  

Karan says “These jobs provided me with valuable lessons in teamwork, time management and customer service, all of which have been essential in helping me grow both professionally and personally.”   

Even though Karan was busy working and studying, it was still important for him to volunteer in the local community and stay grounded and connected to his cultural roots. “I began volunteering at Gurudwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Keysborough,” Karan says.  

“I helped with a variety of tasks such as food service, cleaning and general maintenance. Serving others gave me a sense of accomplishment to know that I was positively contributing to the community while juggling my academic and work responsibilities.”  

Karan also decided that becoming a member of Engineers Australia would be helpful for him as a student engineer and he found it to be a valuable resource throughout his studies.  

“One of the most significant advantages of being a member has been the opportunity to network with a large number of professionals and industry leaders,” Karan says.  

“Connecting with these experts, attending conferences and participating in workshops helped me gain a better understanding of the practical applications of engineering principles. “  

Karan is now employed as an electrical and electronics systems engineer at Ford and says he is excited about the possibilities for automation, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things.  

“My goal is to advance professionally in these fields, with a particular emphasis on integrating mechanical systems with smart technologies.”