Gaining Experience and Keeping an Open Mind — The BU-ITI Formula for Landing a Job Before Graduation
Two Computer Science students from School of Information Technology and Innovation. Here, they share the story of how IT students like them secured their careers.
Landing a job before graduation at Bangkok University is something that can genuinely happen — just ask Ms. Araya Tsai (Pop-Pap) and Mr. Thanaboon Chantasawat (Fluke), two Computer Science students from School of Information Technology and Innovation. Here, they share the story of how IT students like them secured their careers.
What You’ll Find at BU…
Fluke — Thanaboon: “My Computer Science program places a strong emphasis on hands-on practice. When I worked on my final project, I gained real experience tackling a large-scope project that required me to practice a great deal — both things I had previously learned and things that had never been taught in class. The turning point that led me to land a job before graduating was my internship. I got to work on real tasks and build actual applications. Once the team and my supervisors saw that I could deliver results, that became the opportunity I received.”
Pop-Pap — Araya: “Studying at BU has been a lot of fun. What I love most is the people — the atmosphere is wonderful; we can talk and exchange ideas all the time. The courses also cover product development across several classes, which aligns very well with what I’m doing now professionally. It’s knowledge I can genuinely apply.”
Open-Minded and Ready to Learn
Fluke — Thanaboon: “My strength lies in front-end development — things like React Native, Next.js, and Flutter — and I’m someone who enjoys exploring new technologies. When I started working, I could take on tasks and translate them directly into code. On top of that, with AI tools available now, I also use them as a resource for learning.”
Pop-Pap — Araya: “Even though my specialty is UX/UI, once I started working in the real world, I found that I needed to be able to do a lot more than I had expected — websites, apps, banners, graphics, all of it. I think not limiting yourself and being open to learning really makes a difference too.”
Building Your Own Skills
Fluke — Thanaboon: “I focus on ‘doing real things’ outside the classroom — whether it’s building a website, a mobile app, or even setting up a game server. Practicing problem-solving with whatever tools are available at the time trains your ability to think on your feet. It gets you comfortable encountering errors and finding your own way through them.”
Pop-Pap — Araya: “I had to open myself up to everything that could complement it. If UX/UI wasn’t working out, I’d try front-end development and keep adding to my portfolio — while also preparing for interviews and practicing the pre-employment tests that companies send out.”
BU as a Space to Discover Your Passion
Fluke — Thanaboon: “The university builds a solid Computer Science foundation. Beyond that, you need to keep learning on your own outside the classroom. Most importantly, BU is a place that pushes you to compete in various competitions and pursue internships. Having faculty who support you and maintain connections with companies gives you real opportunities to put your knowledge to use.”
Pop-Pap — Araya: “The product development courses have been incredibly helpful — they strengthen your ability to think through processes, which is essential for UX/UI work. Working on group projects also builds teamwork skills. And something I’m particularly proud of is my growth in presenting. I used to be terrified of it, but with encouragement from friends and a desire to challenge myself, I started volunteering to present in class more often. It helped enormously — I’m so much more confident now compared to before.”
Fluke — Thanaboon: “Don’t just study to pass exams. Look for projects to work on, use AI tools to your advantage, and build things that the market actually needs. Put together a portfolio and keep updating it. When you go for an interview, if you can show a working project and clearly explain how the system functions, your chances of getting hired will be significantly higher.”
Pop-Pap — Araya: “Don’t be afraid to try — even if you feel you’re not ready yet, taking action matters more than waiting. Start building your portfolio early; don’t wait until it’s perfect. Seek out as many experiences as possible — during semester breaks, look for internships. This field demands analytical thinking and the ability to understand users, and real-world experience teaches you far more than a classroom ever can. If the path you want is difficult, have a Plan B ready — but don’t give up too quickly.”