A life-changing experience: students open new pathways through Apple Foundation Program at RMIT

Mason Cao and Sasha Nazareth both graduated from the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT in 2023 and reflect on how it has opened up career pathways they didn’t previously consider possible.

The four-week program held at the City campus is an introduction to the fundamentals of app development. It empowers learners with future-ready skills at the intersection of technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

Over the duration of the program, learners work in teams and design innovative app prototypes to solve real-world problems, using the Apple iOS ecosystem.

Mason said participating in the program changed the trajectory of his career.

“I thought for a long time that graduating with a Computer Science degree meant that I’m destined to become a Software Engineer forever, which wouldn't be a bad life, but having that predisposed assumption had stopped me from exploring what else was out there,” he said.

“It turned out I enjoyed chatting and connecting with other people, a discovery made when I was exposed to both the technical, and non-technical aspects of project development with the AFP.”

“I found out that it was a better fit for me, whereas before, I wouldn't have even considered going for a potentially business-leaning role. That’s growth.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Sasha, who graduated from the first ever all-female cohort of Apple Foundation Program at RMIT in late 2023.

“In one word, my overall experience can be described as ‘Empowering’,” she said.

I never anticipated collaborating with a team of remarkable women to develop an iOS app. Their mutual support and encouragement allowed us to bring out the best in one another.

Student sitting in panel discussing program with mentor.

RMIT student Sasha Nazareth during her time in the Apple Foundation Program.

“The key skills I learned were teamwork, storytelling and iOS app development.”

Since graduating, Sasha has secured a full-time job as an Assistant analyst at Netwealth, a FinTech company, where she is able to utilise some of the skills she gained during her time in the program.

“My key achievement has been securing a full-time job in this challenging market. I am profoundly grateful,” she said.

“I feel that in the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT, I learned how to effectively showcase my strengths, which significantly enhanced my ability to demonstrate them."

Mason has seen considerable success since graduating from the program, winning a Hack-a-thon run by Boeing.

He was also recently crowned a 2024 Swift Student Challenge winner. Run by Apple, the Challenge is an annual coding competition that gives student developers the opportunity to showcase their creativity and coding capabilities through app playgrounds, while developing their skills.

“Throughout the challenge, I utilised many of the skills I learned from the Apple Foundation Program, such as following the Design Thinking principles – truly aligning my ideas and the problem I aim to solve with practical, human-centered solutions,” he said.

Student standing with microphone presenting a speech to a small group.

RMIT student Mason Cao sharing his experience and learnings with fellow students during the Apple Foundation Program.

Mason explained that the Apple Foundation Program at RMIT was an important building block of his current trajectory, helping him feel comfortable in his skillset, as well as in connecting with others.

“Winning the Swift Student Challenge had opened many doors, in terms of the people I met,” he said.

If I hadn’t done the program and developed my interpersonal skills further, I’d have had a much harder time navigating these networking opportunities.

He lists leadership, presenting, active listening, Design Thinking and networking as some of the key skills he learned or bettered in the program.

“I learned what it was like to keep your faith, while still being able to acknowledge and respect others’ beliefs and point of view,” he said.

“Being open-minded, curious, and respectful are key values you will repeatedly learn and use throughout the whole program.”

Sasha’s reflections on what the program means to her is also a message of encouragement for those thinking about applying for next year’s Apple Foundation Program at RMIT cohort.

“I will continue to be a flag-bearer for this amazing program. Especially because of the mentors, they are so supportive and bring out the best in every single person. They were the main reason why I feel like the program was so empowering and positive.”

“The experience has significantly boosted my confidence and personal growth.”

Find out more about the Apple Foundation Program and submit an application for the first cohort of 2025.

Story: Finn Devlin

04 September 2024

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