Hi, I'm Daisy!
I'm in my first year of a Bachelor of Computer Science / Master of Cyber Security. I joined the Women in Computing Student Leaders to give advice about Cyber Security and Computer Science to future students.
What (or who) sparked your interest in your degree, and how did you know it was the right path for you?
I stumbled across cyber security at a leadership challenge where we explored different threats facing society, and I noticed that so many of them had an underlying link to cyber risks. That instantly caught my attention — it was the first time I’d really felt the urgency of cyber security. From there, I fell into the YouTube rabbit hole, watching interviews with people in the field, listening to podcasts about cyber crime, and eventually finding free online university courses in computer science. Only two days into one of these courses and I was hooked. I realised I’d found a field that ticked all the boxes of what I was hoping for in a career. It lets me help protect people, stay creative and challenged, and keep learning as the field constantly evolves.
What makes studying at UQ exciting for someone interested in technology and innovation?
It feels like there are endless opportunities to grow at UQ — and what makes it even better is the environment you get to do it in. Being surrounded by a diverse group of driven people has pushed me to aim higher and given me a real sense of belonging. There are plenty of events to get involved in, like hackathons and CTFs, where you can push your skills further, meet like-minded people, and grow your network. But it doesn’t always have to be about the big events — sometimes it’s just sitting in the library with friends, bouncing around ideas, debugging code together that gives me that happy satisfaction of knowing I chose the right place. Between the everyday support from friends and the bigger opportunities, it feels like you’re constantly learning, constantly growing, and always part of a community that shares your drive.
What’s one thing you’ve discovered about your degree that surprised you or exceeded your expectations?
Something about my degree that has exceeded my expectations is the amount of support available. I’ll be transparent and say I was pretty nervous about starting university because computer science wasn’t offered at my high school, so I didn’t have much coding experience when I began uni. But the level of help at UQ has been incredible. Beyond the assigned classes, you can reach out to tutors directly, post questions on online discussion boards, and for some subjects, there are even classroom help centres where tutors are always available to sit down and work through problems with you. I’ve taken full advantage of all these resources, and they’ve played a huge role in making my first year a successful one so far.
What’s a project or achievement from your studies that you’re most proud of, and why?
One of the things I’m most proud of is the collection of small projects I’ve built throughout my assignments. Most recently, I created a farming game, which really highlighted how far I’ve come — and it was definitely an enjoyable project to code. When I started university, I had little coding experience, and now I’m building games, designing websites, and solving real technical challenges. Looking back, it’s rewarding to see that progress, not just in what I’ve made, but in how much I’ve learned along the way.
Have you had the chance to work on real-world challenges, like internships, hackathons, or research projects? What’s been the highlight?
I haven’t yet, but I’m hoping to participate in some events like hackathons in the future!
What’s your dream job in the tech world, and how has your degree helped you work towards it?
Right now, anything in the cyber security space would be a dream. I haven’t pinned down a specific role yet — honestly, they all sound exciting: security architect, pen tester, cryptographer… I’m drawn to roles where I can be creative, think outside the box, and help people in meaningful ways. I’m also really interested in leadership and the business side of tech, so if I can find a way to combine those, that would be ideal. My degree has been great for building a solid foundation in programming languages so far. Plus, the courses have involved way more teamwork than I expected, which has helped me sharpen my collaboration and leadership skills — something I know will be super valuable in real-world scenarios.
Are you a member of any student societies or participate in extracurricular activities? Tell us a bit about it.
I’m a member of the Cyber Security Squad, which has been both super fun and genuinely valuable. We get to hear from industry professionals, attend CTF workshops, and connect with people who share similar interests. It’s a great mix of learning and community. I’m also part of Ladies in Technology, which has been amazing for networking. I recently went to an AI panel they hosted and had a great experience connecting with others in the field. Outside of tech, I love rock climbing as a way to switch off and reset. I’m a member of the UQ Mountain Club, where we climb at Kangaroo Point and take part in indoor bouldering competitions. It’s a great balance to the academic side of uni and helps keep me active.
What advice would you give a high school student who loves tech but isn’t sure if Computer Science or IT is the right fit?
Explore lots and follow what sparks your interest. Try not to stress too much about picking the “perfect” thing and just dive into whatever feels fun or intriguing. If you’re not sure where to start, check out free online courses, binge some podcasts or YouTube videos, or chat with people in the field if you get the chance. The goal isn’t to have it all figured out — it’s to enjoy the process, learn cool stuff, and the answer to whether tech is the right fit will come naturally with time.
