This article was written in collaboration with Natalie Peart of Jobspeak Academy.
For international students, adjusting to life in Australia can be overwhelming—especially when it comes to navigating careers and the job market. Kimberly Goh, founder of the Migrant Women Professional Network in Adelaide, understands this better than most. Arriving in Australia as an international student, Kimberly was determined to build a successful career. However, like many newcomers, she faced challenges along the way.
One of the key strategies that helped Kimberly was networking. She attended over 100 networking events, and through those, she made life-long connections, built her confidence, improved her English and communication skills, and now enjoys a thriving career in Australia.
Kimberly Goh, Founder of Migrant Women Professional Network
It’s connecting not networking
As a career counsellor and communication trainer for migrant professionals, I often focus on networking with my clients. Many of them dislike the term “networking” because it feels intimidating or “fake,” as though they have to pretend to be someone they’re not. To help my clients, I’ve redefined it as “connecting.” This reframing encourages us to see it as meeting people and building genuine relationships—even small ones.
Kimberly shares a similar view. After attending her first few networking events, she realised it was the best way to make friends, contacts, and connections for future job opportunities.
Through her journey of attending over 100 networking events, Kimberly gained valuable insights that shaped her career. One key lesson was the value of connecting with a variety of people. At first, she only spoke to CEOs and managers, believing they were the ones who could offer her a job. But she soon discovered that the best connections can come from anyone, regardless of their job title.
“These days, I go to networking events with the mindset of meeting at least three new people,” she shared. “I try to build genuine relationships rather than just thinking about potential job offers.”
Be yourself
Another important lesson for Kimberly was to be confident and authentic. She realised she didn’t need to pretend to be someone else. Instead, she focused on being herself and letting her personality shine through. This approach led to meaningful conversations and opened doors for internships and job opportunities.
Kimberly’s multilingual skills also played a key role in her networking success. She speaks English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin Chinese, which helped her connect more easily in Australia’s multicultural environment.
“Speaking different languages allowed me to relate to people on a more personal level,” she explained.
Despite this advantage, she still faced shyness early on and felt nervous about approaching people at events. But with practice and persistence, Kimberly grew more confident, even reaching out to others who seemed shy.
Her language skills, combined with her willingness to step out of her comfort zone, became key to building strong relationships and advancing her career.
Networking led to permanent residency
But the 100 networking events gave her more than just connections—they boosted her confidence and opened up unexpected career opportunities. While volunteering and participating in internships during her studies, Kimberly was recommended for a short-term job through the university’s career services. “What started as a two-month role extended to two years, and that’s how I got my permanent residency,” she explained.
Even with local experience, Kimberly struggled to find her next job after that role ended. However, her ability to connect with others through networking helped her move forward. She continued attending events, not just to find her next job but to grow her confidence and communication skills.
“It took time, but the more I practiced, the more comfortable I became,” she said.
This determination and willingness to step out of her comfort zone ultimately led her to build a successful career in international education and the career space, where she has thrived for 8 years.
Resilience is key as an international student
Another important lesson Kimberly shared is about dealing with rejection in the job market and managing expectations. As an international student, she learned that job opportunities don’t always come easily, and it’s important to stay resilient.
Initially, Kimberly approached networking events with high hopes of finding a job through a single conversation. However, over time, she realised that expecting immediate results often leads to disappointment.
“The more networking events I attended, the more I realised I wasn’t going to get a job offer on the spot,” she said.
By letting go of that expectation, Kimberly found it easier to relax, connect genuinely with others, and enjoy the process. This shift in mindset helped her bounce back from rejection and build lasting relationships. It also allowed her to see networking not as a one-time solution, but as a long-term investment in her career.
Kimberly’s experience highlights the importance of persistence and adaptability in the Australian job market. It’s not just about landing a job right away but about continuously improving your skills, expanding your network, and learning from each experience—even the ones that don’t go as planned.
Kimberly’s experience of attending over 100 networking events has given her many valuable insights. Here are 10 of the best lessons she’s learned:
- Be yourself – Authenticity helps you connect with others more easily.
- Don’t focus just on CEOs – Valuable connections can come from anyone, not just top managers.
- Go with an open mind – Don’t expect a job offer immediately. Focus on building relationships.
- Practice makes perfect – The more events you attend, the more confident you’ll become.
- Multilingual skills help – Speaking multiple languages can make networking easier in a multicultural environment.
- Talk to shy people – Reaching out to others who seem nervous can help you feel more comfortable.
- Set small goals – Aim to meet at least three new people at each event.
- Stay persistent – Networking takes time, but each event brings new opportunities.
- Rejection is part of the process – Don’t let setbacks discourage you. Keep learning from each experience.
- Grow your online network – Use LinkedIn to stay connected with people you meet and expand your opportunities.
Networking can seem intimidating, especially when you’re new to a country, but Kimberly’s experience shows that it’s all about building genuine connections. By stepping out of your comfort zone, being yourself, and staying persistent, you can open doors to new opportunities. Whether you attend one event or one hundred, each step helps you grow your skills, confidence, and network. So, don’t be afraid to start small—just focus on connecting with others, and you’ll see the impact it can have on your career journey in Australia.
