Built on connection: From Indigenous Nationals to an internship in tech at CommBank

CommBank is the official banking partner of Indigenous Nationals in 2026, and the partnership continues to support the connection and community that underpins the event. 

For Caleb Kennedy, a proud Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri man, those elements are more than just part of the event. They have played a defining role in shaping both his university experience and his emerging career in technology. 

Caleb is currently balancing his final year of university with an internship in technology at CommBank, an experience that has shaped both his career direction and his confidence stepping into a corporate environment. 

From curiosity to career 

Caleb’s interest in technology started early. What began as curiosity quickly grew into something more. 

“I’ve always been interested in tech,” he shares. “Just seeing how something small, like code on a screen, can create something bigger, an app or a system, it’s always fascinated me.” 

That curiosity led him to study cybersecurity at university, and eventually into a technology internship at CommBank, where he works across networking and testing environments. 

In his role, Caleb is exposed to real, hands-on work that complements what he is learning at university. Rather than staying theoretical, he is applying those concepts in a practical setting, building skills that extend beyond the classroom. 

“The biggest difference is the hands-on experience,” he explains. “At work, I’m seeing how things actually operate in real environments, not just learning about them.” 

Learning on the job 

Caleb’s experience reflects a balance between study and practical work experience, where learning and work come together in a way that builds confidence over time. 

Like many students stepping into their first corporate role, the transition wasn’t without its challenges. 

“At first, I was nervous,” he says. “I hadn’t worked in a corporate environment before, so I didn’t really know what to expect.” 

Over time, that uncertainty shifted. 

“I realised a lot of those worries were just in my head,” he reflects. “Once I started asking questions and talking to people, it became a lot easier.” 

That willingness to ask, learn and adapt has become one of the most important takeaways from his experience so far. It’s also what has helped him build connections across teams and with other First Nations colleagues. 

The role of community 

Outside of work and study, community continues to play a key role in Caleb’s journey. 

He first attended Indigenous Nationals after hearing about it through a friend at university. What started as a sporting opportunity quickly became something more meaningful. 

“My favourite part was just being around mob,” he says. “Everyone’s there to connect, have fun and support each other.” 

Over the course of the week, teammates who started as strangers became close friends, connected through shared experiences both on and off the field. 

“You might not see each other much during the year, but during that week you really get to spend time together and build those connections.” 

For Caleb, Indigenous Nationals is as much about connection as it is about competition. 

“It’s competitive, but it’s also just about being together, meeting people and learning from each other,” he explains. 

Connecting experience to opportunity 

That sense of connection has also shaped how Caleb thinks about his career. 

Through Indigenous Nationals, Caleb has been able to meet students from across Australia, hear about different career pathways and gain a broader perspective on what a career in tech could look like. 

Those experiences complement what he is doing at CommBank, where he is already applying his skills in a real-world environment. 

It’s this combination, community, experience and exposure to different pathways that highlights the importance of initiatives like Indigenous Nationals, and the role partnerships can play in supporting opportunities for students. 

Looking ahead 

As CommBank returns to Indigenous Nationals in 2026, the team will be on the ground throughout the week, connecting with students and sharing information about career pathways at CommBank.

If you’re attending, come and chat with the team, or learn more about opportunities through CommBank’s Indigenous Careers programs. 

Now in his final year of university, Caleb is focused on continuing his journey in tech. 

“Ideally, I’d like to keep building my career in tech,” he says. 

For other students considering a similar path, his advice is simple: 

“Ask questions, take the opportunity and give it a go.” 

And for those thinking about attending Indigenous Nationals: 

“Go and have fun.”