A group of students now have the chance to follow their dreams and study at university.
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On October 10, the South Coast Careers College’s Nursing and Business Pathways graduation was held at the University of Wollongong’s Bega campus.
Thirteen students graduated on the day.
Office manager and staff support officer for all campuses at South Coast Careers College Lynn Nimmo said in the program people who do not have an ATAR do a Certificate IV then go to UOW for a bridging course to get the required accreditation to get into university.
She said while not all the students who graduate go to university in the end, they have better chances of employment. For example, all students who completed the nursing pathways program got employment in aged care or disability facilities.
Bega’s Frances Buckley was one of the nursing pathways graduates. She said while the program was hard work, it was also lots of fun and she was glad she completed it.
“It gave me a sense of achievement and having that door to university open is really pleasing,” Ms Buckley said.
“At the age of 62, it gave me something to do with my brain for the year.”
She will contemplate doing a businesses course next year or perhaps go to university in the future.
Sharnee Kellalea of Merimbula left school at age 11 and never thought she would go to university.
But she also completed the nursing pathways program and will study a nursing course at Bega UOW. It is her hope to become a maternity nurse.
“I got into aged care and I really loved it,” she said.
“I like the idea of being able to help people and really make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Jake Grist of Pambula finished the business pathways course and wanted to study politics or economics at university.
“My dream is to become a politician or work in a big national company,” he said.
The program will run again next year. For more information, call South Coast College on 4472 9202.