Meet UniSA Online’s new graduates

Why have you decided to study at this point in your life?

I started working in the family business as a junior clerk when I was 19 years old. Today, I’m second in charge of the family business, which has now grown into a multi-million-dollar civil construction firm. It's a huge responsibility. I needed to prove to myself and others that I could earn a uni degree, and that I had both the experience and technical knowledge to run a successful company. 

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

Yes, I went on a weekend getaway and I just could not get the thought out of my mind. I knew it was time to stand up to my fear of failure and give it a go. From that day forward, I had a vision of myself wearing a gown and cap while walking on stage to receive my parchment. This vision helped me when I struggled through an assignment. I felt quietly determined and had an inner strength that kept me going throughout my studies.

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

The flexibility of UniSA Online degrees is fantastic. I was able to continue to work full-time and arrange my personal life around my study. The ability to set my study hours was extremely important and allowed me to race through the course content on some weeks and slow it down on others. The results were up to me. The structure of the 10-week courses was a great incentive to keep pushing through to the finish line. It was also a bonus being able to meet lovely people all over Australia during my studies.

Did you have any concerns before starting your degree?

The only thing that was holding me back was my self-confidence. I had completed four TAFE diplomas and felt that I needed to learn and do more. But I was worried that I would not be successful at university.

I was 47 years old when I started my degree, and as someone who holds high expectations of myself, I wasn’t sure that I could pull it off. I’m so glad I took the plunge because it has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. It required a lot of hard work but so many opportunities have opened that I did not think was possible.

How did you celebrate your graduation? 

I absolutely loved my graduation! We arrived early to enjoy a coffee before getting organised. I felt very proud of my achievements, but it also felt surreal at the same time. After the ceremony, we continued to take photos and finally celebrated with a cocktail and meal at the local pub.

What did it mean for your family to be there with you at graduation?

It was very important to have my family at my graduation.  I'm an older graduate and it meant so much to have my husband, my dad and both of my grown daughters with me on the day.  My family have played a huge role in my success and it was only fitting that they were there to celebrate with me. 

Now that you’ve finished your degree, have you felt a change at work, or even in your personal life?

Absolutely. Several people have commented on my growth over the past three years. The person I was when I started my degree compared to the person I am today has dramatically changed. I think, write, and act differently. Everything I learned throughout my studies has opened my mind and challenged me to think outside the box. My university experience has given me a new sense of worth and purpose in both my professional and personal life. I am so glad that I put my self-doubts aside and finished my degree. This has been, by far, one of the best experiences of my life.