The spark that leads someone to study doesn’t always come from needing qualifications to build a career. Sometimes that flame can be lit by simply wanting to be better-equipped for work you already do.
Trindle Brennan had this exact experience. As practice manager at En Pointe Health, a multidisciplinary allied health practice in the New England, Trindle decided a Diploma of Leadership and Management would greatly help her current role.
“I realised that in my position as practice manager I needed to continuously improve on my practical and social skills, and understand all aspects of management, clients’ needs, and risk management. I wanted to improve my overall knowledge to be a confident leader and manager in my employment, and to keep up with the demands of providing a successful multidisciplinary service.”
The diploma was offered by UNE Partnerships through Tamworth Business Chamber’s Future Leaders Program.
Trindle admits she was “a little terrified” after not having participated in diploma studies for more than 20 years.
“I did lack confidence at first, but I had so much support from the UNE Partnerships team. I also found using a study buddy was a tremendous help for the assessment tasks.”
She also tapped into the support and study services available to her.
“The online learning resources were fabulous. They are easy to use and there is adequate supported learning through the myUNE dashboard, which has short video, online help, course requirement information, webinars, case studies and support.”
Trindle found the course expanded her skillset in many ways beneficial to her current and future career.
“I enjoyed the face-to-face workshops and webinars. I made many new friends and it was great to network with people who are in different professions. I have been able to put all my studies and learning to good use during and after the course. I now feel more confident in developing better management skills, planning, decision-making, and coping with demands and deadlines. I feel I have the knowledge and the know-how to back myself in different situations.”
But she’s also learnt much about herself: “how to adjust to different personalities, how to use different strengths and weakness within all environments, to be more decisive”.
I have learnt a lot about myself, good and bad. I now have the information and strategies I need to work on my strengths and weaknesses.
And she encourages others to take the jump: “You will not regret studying the Diploma of Leadership and Management. I have no doubt that studying this diploma has helped me and my colleagues in the workplace.”
