Working at Blokker Pty Ltd, a freesia farm in Wesley Vale, she’d never considered higher education until receiving encouragement from her employer.
“I laughed – uni? No, not me,” Taylor recalls.
But since commencing at Cradle Coast campus in 2017, her studies have helped grow her career and confidence.
Starting out as a flower picker, Taylor now oversees crop production, irrigation and pest management for the business.
“This degree is supporting me in my ever-changing role within the company,” she says.
The new-found awareness of the industry has given me a more in-depth understanding of how my workplace functions behind the scenes.
“Workshops and tutorials have been engaging - especially site visits to agricultural businesses the public would rarely gain access to.”
An intimidating prospect at first, Taylor’s university experience has only been positive.
“It’s not as scary and difficult as I thought it would be and there is plenty of support,” she said.
“Completing my degree part-time doesn’t impact upon my full-time work schedule. If the opportunity arises to study at university, jump at it - life is too short.”
Photo: Taylor Franklin-Smith
Authored by Shantelle Rodman.