Student Spotlight: How Charlotte found her inner confidence

"It was only ever when I was encouraged to become my full ‘extroverted' self that I really showed my confidence."

Published on the 26 February 2026

UNSW student and Co-NNECTIONS member Charlotte Tran

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Before Co-NNECTIONS (CoNX), I thought I was confident. Specifically, I thought of the ways I connected with others, shared opinions and asked questions. But, if I was truly honest with myself, this confidence would only show when I would be asked questions directly, had to introduce myself for an ice-breaker activity or was accompanied by friends.

It was only when I was encouraged to become my full ‘extroverted' self that I really showed my confidence. When I wasn’t, I was perceived as a lot shyer and more reserved than I realised.

A Year Ago

Leading up to my first CoNX event, I had no idea what to expect, who would be there or if I would even meet someone I could relate to. It was very much like being in my first year all over again, where you just don’t know anyone anymore.

Doing new things is scary, daunting, and can fill you with so much anxiety you don’t know what to do with it… But sometimes these opportunities can be exciting, exhilarating and leave you with a sense of direction that you didn’t have before.

Partnering with Atlassian

In Term 1, I had the opportunity to attend an industry site-visit at Atlassian. At first, I didn’t really know what to expect as I was only aware that Atlassian is a widely known tech company. Upon visiting, I remember being really surprised as it had a completely different feel to a corporate office. It was a space that felt so relaxing and collaborative, yet so innovative and exciting. After this experience, I remember leaving Atlassian knowing completely new career paths, such as being a product manager or an integration engineer, are possible for me.

Following this, I was tasked to organise a site visit with Atlassian in Term 2 as part of the CoNX Professional Development Series. It was all happening!

This was a pivotal point where I had to think strategically, plan, and network and form relationships directly with industry professionals. I also had to work with a diverse team of students from various degree backgrounds whom I would have otherwise never met. This was the moment I realised the impact of being a part of CoNX.

What does confidence mean to me now?

These experiences have shown me that confidence to me isn’t always about how loud you are or how extroverted one can be.

Instead, it’s believing in yourself. That your opinion matters, that others do want to hear your thoughts and that even when you’re in a room with a bunch of loud people, your voice shouldn’t be silenced.

Just by voicing even one or two thoughts and forgetting about who is the loudest in the room, I’ve been able to change how I think being ‘loud’ is and hence becoming more confident in the ways I now express myself. Today, confidence to me means showing one’s true self authentically and without limits.

At the Atlassian offices.

Feeling confident to network

In 2025, I took advantage of opportunities to not only meet new people, but also network with industry professionals and get an idea of the type of industry I would want to work in.

I had very little experience networking previously, much less knowing how to approach a recruiter. In my mind, I was 'just a student', so I assumed professionals were far too busy to respond to me. I even told myself I could just wait until my final years of university to figure it out. But I realised that waiting only delays the confidence I could be building right now and put those who were already networking ahead of me.

Even at my first event with CoNX, I felt like I was put in the deep end by having to participate in a speed mentoring workshop with industry professionals. It was nerve-racking and intimidating, but by the end of it, it felt less of a transaction of information and more like a conversation. That’s when it really stood out to me how powerful creating connections with others were, beyond the surface level inquiry of what their job or role was.

This gave me the confidence to reach out and connect with any industry professional I met along the way, from CoNX site-visits to those who are part of the wider CoNX and Co-op teams. It really changed the way I thought what networking was supposed to be like.

It helped me see that the industry professionals I meet were also once students still trying to figure out what career they wanted and how to network with others.

A Year On

If I could tell myself a year ago that I would go on to feel more comfortable with networking, speak comfortably in front of over 50 people, and will be starting a new role as a Comms & Engagement Assistant, I would say ‘you're lying’ or ‘that’s not possible’. I mean, how can one decision to sign up to a CoNX event open so many other doors for me in the future? Yet it did.

So, if you’re sitting on the train, in the car, or just chilling at home and thinking you’re not ready or that it’s too much of a commitment, think about the skills you have now. In a year, will they still be the same, or could they be much stronger?

Don’t let these opportunities go to waste because you may be applying for jobs or entering the workplace before you even realise it. Everyone will have different goals, but finding your place means realising you don’t have to do everything at once. Even attending just one event puts you ahead of where you were yesterday.