1. To transform your career
Diesel mechanic Dominic McLaren left school in year 10 to get his trade. He thought that university wasn’t for him because he had a stutter. After years in a job that he didn’t love, he’s going after a career in journalism.
“After working for 20 yeas in a job that I don’t enjoy, I want to use the remainder of my working life to study, report on and work in areas of life that excite me.
Read Dom’ story: http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/4/14/69-from-diesel-mechanic-to-foreign-correspondent/
2. To get the perfect life balance
You might think graphic design and nursing are chalk and cheese, but for Adele Close the two careers give her the perfect life balance. Adele studied her first degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts, at the University of Tasmania at the age of 19. After working in graphic design for 10 years, she decided it was time to study again and completed the fast-track Nursing degree.
“I love the balance of what I’ve got now, a couple of days of graphic design and three days of nursing is perfect. The design side is a really good creative outlet and gives me time at home with the kids. Whereas the nursing is on your feet, meeting people and interacting.
Read Adele's story:
http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/6/9/100-from-graphic-designer-to-nurse/
3. To change the way you look at the world
Andrew Gibson was a cartographer for over 30 years before he enrolled in University
“I was scared sh**less but I decided to study a Bachelor of Science. It has absolutely changed me. It has changed the way I look at the world. Now when I read the paper, I understand the statistics, and I can think critically about the issues being discussed. There is a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement.
“I’ve got a skillset that is uniquely me, because I chose the things that interested me. University study affects the way you think about yourself and your life.”
Read Andrew’s story
4. To make a difference in the world
In his 20s Craig Gooding was working in a factory, as a labourer for a shop fitter. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. But he knew one thing: he was bored with his repetitive job. Today, he is in a job he loves, teaching primary school children.
“Growing up in the UK, I don’t think I had the best education. If someone told 18-year-old me that I’d be a teacher, I don’t think I would have believed them.
“I started reflecting on my education and thought I can do it better, I can make a difference. This led me to make the decision to go into teaching, and ensure I taught the way I thought it should be done; building relationships, showing respect to students, and reflecting upon my own practice.
“You can look back at those students and think ‘I had a part in that.’ You’ve made a difference. You believe in them, and hopefully they can take that with them. In 20 years’ time, someone could be saying ‘I remember Mr Gooding, he had a key part in my life.'
Read Craig’ story: http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/6/14/104-from-cabinet-maker-to-teacher/
5. To give yourself the freedom of choice
After struggling to find her career calling, Anna Brooke found her passion in nursing, and the freedom she always wanted
“My best friend told me about the two-year Nursing degree and it appealed straight away. I had always dreamed of working in developing countries where I could help people. I wanted to continue to travel and I didn’t want to do 9-5 or work in a job that was always the same. Nursing ticked all the boxes
“I know I’ll never be stagnant. You can always change the area that you work in. I don’t have to work 9-5 or a five-day week. I can choose to work less days and get penalty rates. I’ve got the freedom that I always wanted. And I can choose where I want to go."
Read Anna’ story here:
http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/6/10/102-ive-got-the-freedom-that-i-always-wanted/
6. To keep your mind active
Prue Slatyer studied her Honours in History after a long career as an architect
“I didn’t have any anxieties about returning to University. I love study. I think as you get older, it’s important to keep your brain active. I’d recommend it to others. We had a great class group, ranging in age from 21 to 65 and we all got on well together."
Read Prue’s story:
http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/6/23/109-from-architect-to-historian/
7. For your own self-fulfilment
Lucy Bennett lived in a country town in the middle of nowhere and wanted to start studying again just for herself.
“After the first time around I wasn’t studying with a career in mind, I was just doing subjects that I was passionate about. I was doing it for my own self-fulfilment alongside running my own business as an equestrian.
“I would encourage anyone to go back to uni – even if they just do one subject at a time. It’s important to have an education. I’ve learned so much about our past, in great detail. Learning about wars, their consequences. Too many people don’t know enough about the past.
“I think studying subjects for where it is going to get you is the wrong reason. Study what you love and you’ll make a profession out of that – it’ll come to you."
Read Lucy’s story:
http://www.utas.edu.au/news/2016/5/9/83-from-equestrian-to-historian/