Meet UniSA Online’s new graduates

Why did you decide to study at this point in your life?

I was 24 years old when I decided to enrol in my UniSA Online degree. Before commencing my degree, I had worked in airlines, healthcare, and administrative positions and realised I needed something more. Working in front-line positions offered very little in the way of intellectual stimulation, work-life balance, autonomy, and opportunities to be creative and make impactful changes to the businesses I worked for. These realisations were profound motivators for me to pursue my university degree. I realised that there were very few opportunities for me to progress into higher management positions without further education.

Was there a particular moment when you decided you wanted to pursue a university degree?

I didn’t have a personal epiphany so to speak. Instead, it had been grumbling under the surface for some time. I had hesitated to take the plunge for years because I was afraid of making such a large commitment, sacrificing free time and money, but ultimately there was a fear of failure. Eventually, a family member gave me the push I needed, and on a whim, I did it and enrolled. I haven’t looked back since.

What kind of opportunities does 100% online study give you?

Studying online allowed me to move across Australia without disrupting my studies. I lived in Melbourne, Cairns and Adelaide while I studied. Not to mention it insulated my degree from the pervasive effects of COVID-19.

What are your plans now that you’ve graduated?

After completing my degree, I was lucky enough to land a role as a Graduate Consultant for Mazars, a global consulting firm based in QLD. I’m loving the role so far. I’m working with a broad range of clients on an even more varied set of projects which allows me to use the skills I learned in my degree. I chose to study HR not just because of the strong career outlook, but also because it’s a role that requires both creativity and analytical skills.

At the moment, I’m working with medium-sized firms around a range of HR and industrial relations issues. For example, I’m drafting a large suite of policies for three different companies and am also acting as a mediator for a small company in resolving an employment relationship breakdown. 

How did you celebrate your graduation?

My graduation was extremely special, UniSA did an amazing job of putting together a beautiful ceremony that enabled us all to celebrate our achievements in an intimate setting. I celebrated with my mum, partner and aunty who all flew from Brisbane with me. We spent the weekend exploring South Australia seeing the Barossa, McLaren Vale, and the gorgeous tree-lined streets of Adelaide CBD. 

How important was it to have a support network throughout your degree?

Extremely important for me. My partner was my foundation and my rock throughout my entire degree. Having someone to cook me dinner or take the dog for a walk when I needed a break literally saved me during exams.  It’s so important to have family around to seek guidance from and who can offer words of advice or help you tackle problems in different ways.