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60 seconds with … Jue (Grace) Xie

18 March 2009

Jue (Grace) Xie
 

Name: Jue Xie
Course: PhD candidate
Year Level: Second year
Mode: Full-time

What is it about your course and the University that helped you choose Monash?

It was only natural that I chose Caulfield School of IT to advance my professional development -- I've been with Monash University for more than eight years. I received my Masters at Monash in 2002 and before commencing my PhD, I worked as a research assistant and research programmer at the Centre for Distributed Systems and Software Engineering.

What is your favourite subject and why?

My heart lies with information retrieval systems and user interface design. These explain why Google, with its simple interface design, has become legend.

What challenges are ahead for you this year?

My goals are to complete the system development component of my PhD study and write up the first half of my thesis. Hopefully my working performance can impress those geniuses at Microsoft!

How do you feel about your internship opportunity and the prospect of travelling overseas?

As a Chinese-Australian I'm very excited that I have a chance to work in China after so many years! It's is a great opportunity and honour to be accepted; It's a very competitive process.

What do you expect to gain from the experience?

I will gain intimate knowledge of cutting-edge technologies by working with a collaborative team in a leading research lab. Working under the mentorship of MSRA senior researchers will also enhance my problem-solving and project management skills.

What will be your ideal career when you graduate?

Research and development would be a good option given my strengths. However if a post-doctoral position comes up where I can further explore my PhD research topic I will definitely go for it.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Hangzhou, my beautiful hometown in China. I'm dying to drift in a boat on the west lake drinking my favourite Dragon-Well green tea.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Keep updating your knowledge and be prepared for change. In the IT industry, change is the only thing that is unchangeable!

What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?

I won a university singing competition with Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' as a second-year undergrad.

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