From International Student to Startup Community Building in Western Sydney ft. Quinn Do
At Western Sydney University, the student experience can become so much more than lectures and assignments.
In this episode of Launch Pad Radio, Mabel sits down with Quinn, Launch Pad’s Community and Operations Coordinator, to talk about her journey from international student to now supporting startups full time. It’s a story about curiosity, backing yourself, and saying yes to opportunities, even when they feel a little scary.
Starting in Vietnam, building a future in Australia
Quinn’s journey began in Vietnam, where she started her studies at University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH-ISB) before coming to Western Sydney University to complete her degree.
Like many international students, Quinn was navigating much more than just university life. A new country, a new system, and a new version of what her future might look like.
But even then, one thing was clear: she was drawn to the startup world.
Before moving to Australia, Quinn was already immersed in the startup space, interning at a high-growth company in Vietnam and co-founding a startup with her friends, which led to early exposure to the startup ecosystem and incubation programs.
That early exposure shaped how she saw opportunities, and what she wanted to be part of.
Finding Launch Pad
Quinn first discovered Launch Pad while attending a careers conference on campus.
She remembers spotting the university’s Technology Business Incubator and immediately feeling drawn. At the time, there was no clear pathway for student involvement, but that didn’t stop her from asking to get involved.
She approached Launch Pad’s Manager at the time, Rebecca Pham, to learn more.
There wasn’t an opportunity available yet, but Quinn held onto the idea.
Two years later, a Jobs on Campus role at Launch Pad came up. And the rest was history!
Growing from student casual to full-time team member
Now approaching five years at Launch Pad, Quinn has grown from a student casual into a core member of the team.
As Community and Operations Coordinator, her role sits at the centre of Launch Pad’s startup community. She manages the co-working spaces, supports founders and students, and helps deliver programs and events across logistics, marketing, communications, and data.
As Quinn puts it,
No two days are the same here at Launch Pad and that is exactly what I love about it!
Just six months into her role, Quinn found herself supporting a high-stakes ministerial event with major stakeholders, while her entire team were unavailable.
For Mabel, it was also an early sign of Quinn’s capability.
“I remember you freaking out,” Mabel joked on the podcast, “but I knew it was in very capable hands.”
That combination of trust and challenge has defined Quinn’s experience ever since.
Learning to think like an Entrepreneur
Working in a startup-focused environment has shaped more than Quinn’s career. It has influenced how she approaches problems, projects, and everyday work.
One lesson stuck with her:
“Don’t get attached to your solution. Fall in love with the problem.”
Early on, she would spend hours perfecting work before sharing it. Now, she takes a different approach. Start small, get feedback, and iterate.
Instead of aiming for perfection, she focuses on progress.
That shift toward MVP thinking, testing ideas early, and learning fast is something she now applies every day.
Building a startup mindset, not just startups
For Quinn, Launch Pad is not only for students who already have a startup idea.
It is for students who want to grow, explore, and build skills that will serve them in any path they choose.
“Pitching, communication, creative thinking, design thinking, collaboration… these are transferable skills you’ll need no matter what path you take.”
She also recognises that the word “startup” itself can feel intimidating. It can sound like something only meant for future founders or people with a fully formed business idea.
Sometimes it is simply about being open to new experiences, trying something unfamiliar, and developing the confidence to solve problems in new ways.
Representing what is possible
One of the most powerful parts of Quinn’s story is what it means for other students, especially international students, to see someone who has walked a similar path.
When she speaks to students at Welcome Week or Open Day about her journey from student to staff, she says their reaction is immediate.
“Their eyes light up.”
Seeing someone who has taken that path makes it feel real. It shows that it’s possible.
Quinn also highlights the value of Jobs on Campus roles. Beyond flexibility, they offer something deeper. A chance to contribute, to be heard, and to shape the student experience itself.
Start by showing up
When asked what advice she would give to other students seeking work opportunities, Quinn’s answer was simple: put yourself out there.
Go to events. Talk to people. Explore the spaces that interest you. You never know what conversations or connections might open a door later on.
A story that will resonate with many students
Quinn’s story is a reminder that there is no single perfect path through university.
Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities begin with curiosity. Sometimes with one conversation. Sometimes with backing yourself before you feel fully ready.
For students still figuring things out, her story is a powerful reminder that your path does not have to be linear to lead somewhere meaningful.
Sometimes, it is just the start of everything.
Quinn Do
Community and Operations Coordinator
Launch Pad