I’ve always had a passion for working with timber, so I took woodwork as an elective at school and then went I left enrolled in cabinet making at TAFE on the Gold Coast. I’m just about to complete my apprenticeship at PCS Cabinets in Murwillumbah and I love every minute of my job. The most rewarding part as an apprentice is having more opportunities to go on site and install the kitchens and bathrooms and seeing the process from start to finish.  

With the right determination and enthusiasm I think any woman can succeed in any career they like. I’ve succeeded in a traditionally male-dominated trade, but there’s a lot more girls coming through the ranks now. Certainly the training and the skills I received from TAFE Queensland ensured that I could hold my own in any company, which has given me so much confidence on the job. My teachers were amazing and always there to help if anyone was unsure or needed reassurance.  

I was working in hospitality and tourism when I had an accident while I was skiing in Japan. That injury turned into countless hospital visits, which gave me a lot of exposure to the health industry. The nurses throughout my recovery journey brightened my day with their kind and caring nature and it made me rethink my whole career path. I’ve always been a people person and I saw that my interpersonal skills could transfer well into a nursing career.

I enrolled in the July 2020 intake and haven’t looked back since. The practical facilities at the TAFE Queensland Southport campus were amazing and that had a huge impact on my learning as I was able to grasp the concepts much easier. The facilities really increased my confidence and refined my skill level, ensuring I was well prepared when going into industry placements.

If I hadn’t had my accident I would have never had the opportunity to meet and talk to all the inspiring nurses that looked after me and I wouldn’t have had the time or drive to become a student at the age of 30. It’s certainly confirmed that it was the right decision to change my career.

I’m a 20-year-old woman from a small town in Norway, who moved to the Gold Coast in August 2022. I recently completed my first year of my Bachelor’s degree in Film and Television at Bond University. Being passionate about film, I conducted thorough research to find the university that would best suit my needs. It was during this process that a counsellor recommended Bond University, which stood out to me due to their exceptional film program. The program boasts industry-experienced lecturers, which was a major factor in my decision to pursue my studies at this university. 

I can honestly say that moving from the other side of the world has been a truly unique experience that I will always be grateful for. Choosing to attend Bond University was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've made, and I couldn't be happier with my experience so far. As I begin my second year here, I'm filled with excitement and anticipation for all that lies ahead.

Bond University is the perfect environment to nurture your wildest dreams. I’ve been blessed with so many unique opportunities that have helped me further my professional and personal development. I love the rigorous discussion in class. My opinions and thought processes are always being challenged at Bond, which in turn, leads me to having a broader understanding of the world, and the origins of my thoughts and beliefs.

One of the best things about studying at Bond is that they encourage students to gain as much industry experience as possible, and this is something I’ve been lucky enough to have already done. Undertaking an industry placement has allowed me to deepen my understanding of my chosen field, and better understand where I should focus my attention as I prepare for my future career. In five years, I hope to be in a job that combines my passions of law, international relations, and playwriting – perhaps working in the growing field of arts diplomacy, or as an in-house lawyer for a theatre company.

‘My long-term career goal is to help create positive change in the wellbeing of the wider Aboriginal community. I decided to study pharmacy to get a deep understanding of medicine and patient care. I aim to combine theoretical and practical skills from my degree with my drive to better understand the needs of Aboriginal communities to contribute to closing the gap in health and life expectancy.’

Georgina is a Kamilaroi woman, completing her Bachelor of Pharmacy with distinction in 2021, and the following year Georgina was named the Pharmacy Guild of Australia / MIMS Intern of 2022! During her third year at Griffith, Georgina completed a rural placement in Bowen where she is currently working as a pharmacist.

Studying urban ecology has opened my eyes to the environment in which I live, and what ecosystem interactions are occurring within those urban environments.

I took every opportunity that the University offered, such as Griffith Sciences PLUS (Professional Learning for University Students) program,  as well as mentoring, and I also invested a lot of time in building up my professional network.

Through these experiences I secured a work-integrated learning placement with Natura Pacific, an environmental consultant company, and I have since secured a graduate environmental consultant role with them.

My full-time job is in the tech industry which is all about innovation, so it made sense that I decided to study business majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation. I’m always trying to find better ways to do things and for a business to move forward, they always need to be looking ahead into the future. You need to listen to your customers and the market that you’re operating in and how that market is changing.

Studying business has taught me a range of skills, the most important of which was communication. The content in the degree is really relevant and up to date. It’s something you can take anywhere with you, whatever business, or field you go into - if it’s your own business, you’re going to learn invaluable skills. After graduating I’d like to pursue a career in product management.

Originally I spent three years training in Nigeria as an anaesthetic technician, but a lack of opportunity for advancement made me consider opportunities abroad. My mother was a nurse, so nursing appealed to me and Australia immediately stood out. It seems so positive about welcoming international students and it’s so beautiful!

I loved my first clinical placement at the Tweed Hospital and now I’m in a care placement at Burleigh Heads. The placements have been wonderful. I was able to take the things I have been learning and put them into practice. It was real world experience, yet more than that, it proved that I can do this.

There are many challenges as an international student and so many challenges when you have make tough decisions in life, even when they are for the best of reasons. I have built a thick skin and a strong heart. My family is here now and the future is full of love and promise.