Short courses give new direction at career crossroads

Back story:

"I was working in a correctional facility when I saw someone with a mental illness being badly treated. My passion for forensic mental health also stems from a family member being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. To make a difference, I realised I had to be as educated as I could be, so for the better part of the past five years I have dedicated myself to study in the field of mental health."

Why the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice?

"I was looking at ways to develop my practice and for units of study that reflected where I wanted to go career-wise and personal development-wise. Because it was bespoke, the Grad Cert allowed me to choose units that complemented my interests (Introduction to Mental Health, Mental Health Promotion, Neurobiology, Counselling for Trauma, Counselling for Loss and Grief, and Adolescent Counselling) and fitted in with my Masters study, which I was doing concurrently. I was incredibly particular, and wanted to focus not on mental health disorders, their diagnosis and assessment but the effects they have on a person."

And the result?

"It was amazing. UNE staff were always there with advice and support, and we worked together to build a qualification that would work for me.

"I have compressed all my study into the past five years. In that time I have maintained working for the most part, while also having two children. It was complicated trying to do it all - there were a lot of late nights, tears, chocolate and wine - but I think it has shaped me into a stronger person.

"It has also fast-tracked my career. One course flowed on from another and it was so easy to fit around life. I just needed to make sure I was reading the content, doing the assignments and staying in contact with my lecturers, and asking for help when I got stuck.

"You develop a portfolio as you progress through your studies. The Grad Cert cemented everything that I had ever known and wanted and thought about, and has provided me with such a fantastic launch pad. The Grad Diploma, which gave me the opportunity to do some complementary counselling units and one on management in health care, was icing on the cake.

"When I have applied for positions or, most recently, Masters placements, the Grad Cert and Grad Dip give me an edge. Potential employers can see that I have gone to the effort of educating myself further, and in ways that are unique and practical. There won't be a lot of people who will walk in having completed the units that I have without having done multiple degrees.

"It has also inspired some new academic goals. I always wanted to do a PhD, but I finished school in Year 11 and didn't do my HSC. I went straight to work in retail and never thought I would be able to obtain professional qualifications that would enable me to have a career. Now I know I can do this, and maybe even inspire others. I hope to make a difference, so people with mental illness don't fall behind and get forgotten."

Back story:

"I have always had confidence issues in my abilities. Early on, I had every intention of becoming a nutritionist, dietician or a nurse, but never thought I was intelligent enough or capable of doing undergraduate study, so I postponed it. It wasn’t until much later that I fell into the recruitment profession and then Human Resources, and loved it so much that I pushed past my fears and completed university studies in this area. Working in the field of organisational development, I've found a real sense of purpose."

Why the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice?

"I am studying to improve my expertise in the parts of my role that require deeper knowledge and skills. I'm very fortunate that I love what I do, and I'm committed to building my knowledge bank in leadership, organisational culture and behaviour.

"Having been in a senior organisational development position but for some time, I felt as though gaining a tertiary qualification in this field was an important stepping stone to developing greater professional credibility and currency of knowledge. I also felt that it would help grow my levels of self-confidence, since studying was a way for me to go well outside my comfort zone. It would also validate some of the skills and knowledge I already possessed. Having additional tools in my professional toolkit, greater knowledge, insight, and a qualification that says I have reached a specific professional standard means a lot to me."

And the result?

"This course was exactly what I was looking for and needed. I could select what units were most important to me (Leading with Values, Organisational Behaviour, and Leadership and Culture units) and my grades have really boosted my confidence. I'm getting a great sense of satisfaction implementing what I am learning in the workplace straight away. The workplace assessments have been fantastic for that.

"The Grad Cert has been practically and personally valuable, and I can see that it already has some tangible career development benefits. If I did make the choice to compete for a similar role, I think this particular qualification stands me in good stead. Studying not only gives you the skills and knowledge and tools you need in a practical sense; it also demonstrates to a future employer that you have discipline and that you can commit to something and follow it through, even with the demands of a family and full-time work.

"The Grad Cert is giving me increased credibility in my professional networks. I can't speak more highly of the UNE Concierge Team, as well as the lecturers. It has been a rewarding experience."

Back story:

"I had become too specialised as a scientist working in meteorology and air quality monitoring. I moved to a technical air policy role, but that was a small step. I wanted to break out and try something different. I was looking to broaden myself and my skill set, but even completing the MBA didn't open the doors I expected."

Why the Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice?

"The Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice was exactly what I wanted to do: it allowed me to leverage off the expertise I already had and exposed me to knowledge in new areas. It also gave me the chance to study some subjects that I was really interested in - Politics and the Environment, Ethics of Environmentalism, and Indigenous People and Colonisation."

And the result?

"The Grad Cert has helped to turn this scientifically trained beast into someone who can understand other systems of thinking in the social sciences. It has given me perspective and the ability to generalise. It goes a long way to advertising what I can bring to a role and what I can do. It also says I am still learning and gives me an 'in'.

"It has refreshed and re-energised my excitement for work.

"The self-reflection has helped me to resolve some questions around who I am and what I really like doing. It has helped me to identify my inner motivations and to grow as a person. I feel that I better understand myself and know where I want to be heading. I'm more pleased with life.

"It's rare for you to specialise in your undergraduate degree; it takes time to develop your real interests. I didn't need a whole new degree at this stage in my career; I just wanted to broaden my knowledge, and the Grad Cert allowed me to do that.

"I now have an additional structured body of knowledge that gives me certain skills. There were many 'Aha!' moments and it was very valuable for me as a person. It was hard work - I was learning a new way of doing things - but I loved it."