Noah Broeckx was preparing for his final year of school in 2020 when the world abruptly shut down due to the onset of COVID-19. The traditional classroom setting was replaced by online schooling, forcing students to navigate unprecedented challenges both at school and home. As Noah's resilience and adaptability were put to the test, he wouldn’t have been able to imagine that just four years later, he would embark on an incredible international journey.
After graduating from St Andrews, Noah immersed himself in his studies at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane. Studying a Bachelor of Industrial Design, Noah says “this course has allowed me to pursue my creative passions for design and work within an extremely creative, hands-on industry while still incorporating logical thinking processes”. Noah’s studies have also led to an incredible opportunity overseas – Noah is currently working at BMW in Munich, Germany.
Noah currently holds a position as an overseas intern at BMW plant headquarters where he is working on a noteworthy project that aims to develop and visualise what the logistical process of car assembly will look like in the future. Noah says “Unfortunately I can't share too much about the project, but it is a very exciting opportunity which I am extremely thankful for being accepted into. It has given me the chance to experience living overseas on my own, and working within an industry I am extremely passionate about and has helped me develop a lot of Industrial Design skills such as 3D Printing, Creating Digital Assets, Animating, 3D Modelling, 3D Texturing, Digital Lighting & Camerawork and Digital Rendering, to name a few”.
Reflecting on his years at St Andrews, Noah says that one of his proudest achievements was his involvement with the 2020 student-led graduate yearbook. Collaborating with a small design team to create a yearbook for their graduation solidified his desire to pursue a career in design. This project allowed Noah to apply his creative skills and left a lasting impact, boosting his confidence to follow a path he is truly passionate about.
The yearbook project was one of many creative endeavours Noah cherished at St Andrews. The art and design classes were always a highlight, allowing him to delve into his love for creativity. He is particularly grateful to teachers Greg Dart and Ngaire Harman, who encouraged him to pursue a creative career path. Their support and belief in his abilities played a significant role in his decision to study Industrial Design.
Vincent Van Gogh's quote, "If you hear a voice within you say 'You cannot paint!', then by all means, paint, and that voice will be silenced," resonates deeply with Noah. It serves as a reminder that self-doubt only holds power if we allow it.
Looking ahead, Noah is keen to pursue more internships when he returns to Australia and continue his studies before securing a design job and one day starting his own business. Noah also aspires to return to university in the future to study electrical or aerospace engineering, stating “Although the idea of it gives me a lot of nerves as my strongest skills don't really apply to engineering and I'm not the greatest at math, I am eager to push myself and set myself a challenge as I do not want to stop learning new skills”.
I am eager to push myself and set myself a challenge as I do not want to stop learning new skills.
Noah's journey is fuelled by a commitment to lifelong learning. He was recently accepted to travel to Japan in 2025 on a Creative Industries Japan Innovation Study Tour for Industrial Design which will be sure to to further his passion for the field. Noah aims to continue exploring, experiencing, and doing what he loves, always following his passions and expanding his knowledge. As an alumnus of St Andrews, Noah encourages current students to pursue their dreams, embrace challenges, and never stop learning - their time at St Andrews Lutheran College is just the beginning of their own astonishing journeys.
Do you have an alumni story to share with our community? We would love to hear from you! Send your stories and photos to alumni@salc.qld.edu.au