Banking on soft skills: How an overseas internship changed Roman's perspective and got him a graduate job at NAB

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Banking on soft skills: How an overseas internship changed Roman's perspective and got him a graduate job at NAB

Participating in an internship exchange program allowed business student Roman Fontana to explore Ho Chi Minh City and land a graduate position back home in Melbourne.

When Bachelor of Business student Roman Fontana heard about an internship exchange program that would allow him to spend two and a half weeks in Vietnam, he immediately applied and was accepted.

Roman was part of the NABxRMIT Global Business Program, an initiative that allowed business students from RMIT Melbourne to work at the NAB Innovation Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, while also spending time at RMIT's Saigon South Campus.

Having never travelled to Asia before, Roman saw the internship as a way to push himself outside of his comfort zone.

"The internship gave me invaluable knowledge of the world beyond Melbourne and completely broadened my perspective on business and culture," Roman says.

Roman wearing a black button up shirt pictured from chest up

Bachelor of Business student, Roman Fontana.

Working with NAB in Ho Chi Minh City gave Roman a glimpse into NAB's day-to-day operations and taught him the importance of cross-cultural communication and adaptability.

"At the NAB Innovation Centre, I quickly learned that strong communication and teamwork aren't just nice-to-haves, they're essential when you're working with diverse stakeholders," says Roman.

Succeeding internationally isn't just about understanding business, it's about understanding people.

The program not only broadened Roman’s perspective, it also helped him land a graduate job at NAB in Melbourne before he even graduated.

"This experience has already opened doors for me career-wise by leading directly to my job at NAB."

"If I hadn't taken the leap and applied, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Students on Vietnam exchange

Roman Fontana (far right) during his internship at the NAB Innovation Centre in Vietnam.

Take opportunities

Roman's advice for other students is to put themselves out there.

Whether it's submitting an application or attending a networking event, investing time in your career can feel scary, but it's always worth it.

After graduation

Roman is set to graduate at the Melbourne Graduation Ceremony later this month.

Looking ahead, he is excited to continue building his career in the business sector and working at NAB. Roman says he wants to explore roles that challenge and engage him, be it customer service, digital innovation or business analysis.

Long term, I'm not set on one specific path just yet, which I think is a good thing because it means I'm open to discovering where my skills and interests align with the industry.

"Honestly, I'm just keen to see where this career takes me, whether that is specialising further as a business analyst or exploring other areas of banking that spark my interest along the way!”

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Connect with Roman on LinkedIn.

Current RMIT students can find out about opportunities to study, work and volunteer overseas.

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