A young Afghan refugee has begun carving out a professional career for herself in Melbourne – something that would be impossible in her homeland. 

After twice being forced to flee Afghanistan with her family and having her studies interrupted by war and displacement, Najia Nabil is finally on a stable career pathway. 

She is among the first intake of a new internship program that is the result of a partnership between the City of Melbourne and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia. 

AMES worked with the City of Melbourne to design a program that opens doors for skilled migrants and refugees who have recently arrived from Afghanistan, Ukraine and elsewhere. 

“AMES asked if I wanted to work at the City of Melbourne. I wanted to know about governance, and how things work in Australia. They linked the job to my background and career,” Najia said. 

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m enjoying my role as a data analyst,” she said. 

The first time Najia’s family fled Afghanistan, Najia was yet to start primary school. Seeking refuge in Pakistan, she quickly adjusted to lessons in English, showing promise as a student. 

“By the time the conditions in my country were safe enough for us to shift back, I was in Grade 9. I finished high school in Afghanistan and took extra classes to get my diploma in physics, but I struggled with the language,” Najia said. 

To study physics at university in Afghanistan, Najia needed to take an exam in the Dari language. She failed. 

“I realised then that becoming a refugee was linked to what was happening in Afghanistan, and that was all about politics,” Najia said.  

“My struggles were linked to politics. And that interested me in politics.” 

So, Najia put her physics books away and instead turned her mind to a degree in political science and government. 

She also worked with an international non-profit, helping girls in Afghanistan to get an education.  

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, a combination of political and regional factors – including the United States’ withdrawal of troops – allowed the Taliban to regain control of the country. 

“It’s especially hard for women to study and learn since the Taliban took over Afghanistan,” Najia said. 

“Girls’ education was banned. Even basic human rights have been restricted.” 

Again, her family fled, this time seeking asylum in India, where Najia hoped to continue her studies either with a master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in physics. 

“None of the universities in India accepted my application because I did not have the proper documentation and only held asylum seeker status without official papers.” 

Undeterred, she started an online master’s in philosophy, science and religion at the University of Edinburgh. 

“Even though I wasn’t able to continue further studies at university in India, I had a good time,” Najia said. 

She started teaching physics at a high school for refugees. 

“I love to understand the world around me, and physics is really helpful. It shows you how things work.” 

“How I would put it to my students is: everything is physics. The way you’re walking, how the sky is, how things move around you, the time. Everything,” she said.  

As the political situation in Afghanistan worsened, Najia’s family applied for permanent residency in Australia with her brother as a sponsor. He had already become an Australian citizen and made a life for himself in Melbourne. 

While the family waited in India, Najia kept busy as a researcher for an international organisation, dreaming up a long-term plan for her own research consultancy specialising in foreign affairs. 

“I like to find a problem, and once I have all the data, I’ll be thinking about how to provide a solution for it,” she said. 

“I’m passionate about research. In every field you need research, and I have many different experiences,” Najia said.  

After three years as refugees in India, Australia issued humanitarian visas for Najia and her family. They joined her brother in Melbourne and prepared to start a new chapter of their lives. 

And yet, despite a strong resume and her best efforts, Najia found it harder than expected to find work in Melbourne. 

“When I came to Australia, I was struggling with getting a job. Even with my technical experience and work experience,” she said. 

“Even with my background of living and working with communities in many countries, learning about and analysing different cultures.” 

She’s not alone. Data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows recently arrived migrants have a higher unemployment rate on average than those who have lived in Australia for some years. 

The internship program is aimed at redressing this. 

AMES is often the first point of contact for many migrants and refugees when they first arrive in Melbourne, helping with accommodation, essential supplies and health appointments, orientation sessions and employment opportunities. 

City of Melbourne CEO Alison Leighton said these paid 12-week internships were designed to introduce skilled migrants to Australian workplace culture and build their professional network.

“And in turn, these talented interns help us cultivate a more diverse and inclusive workforce,” Alison said.  

“I am a big believer that having a diverse workforce delivers the best outcomes for our community.” 

Five interns have been matched with roles at the City of Melbourne to suit their skills.  

Najia was placed in the CEO’s office, where she set to work analysing city data. Others joined the Queen Victoria Market precinct renewal project, the assets management team, and planning and building team.  

“Many employers require local experience, which leaves recently arrived migrants in a difficult loop: they need local experience so they can secure a job,” Alison said. 

“Opportunities like this paid pilot internship program offer a solution to that dilemma.” 

Najia’s role at City of Melbourne adds an extra dimension to her understanding of data collection and the way it can help to shape cities. 

“The City of Melbourne works closely with communities and there are specific criteria we must report against, which is different to how it works in Afghanistan and India,” Najia said.  

“You can really see changes happening while you’re working. That’s fascinating. 

“I would love for Afghanistan to have a tool like the Census, which is conducted every four years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. That would help us to deliver services in a better way,” she said. 

Najia is also continuing her studies through master’s degree in international relations at the University of Melbourne. 

“I feel a responsibility to give back to Afghanistan. I have seen war; my parents and grandparents have experienced war. I want to be part of making sure the next generation doesn’t see war,” Najia said.  

“One day, girls will be studying and able to work freely again.  

“I would love to find a way to contribute my skills and improve lives in Afghanistan. If I get a chance, I definitely will,” she said. 

By Kelly Chandler