A mum of 5 children, Natalie had worked in sales and marketing for 20 years when she decided she wanted a career change. Having completed a psychology foundations course in her Arts degree 20 years earlier, Natalie remembered enjoying the subject and thought it would be fun to do it again – so she did.
'I figured I’m nearly 50, and I still have a 20-year career ahead of me, so, I want to do be doing something that I really enjoy. You don’t want to die wondering, so you just have to do it!'
Enrolling in a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Southern Queensland, Natalie studied part-time, full-time, over summer, online, and face-to-face – a combination dependent on her life at that time.
'I’ve studied in the car when waiting to pick the kids up from school, in the library where I can bring my kids, at home, at the girls dance rehearsals and even at their Eisteddfods.
UniSQ gives you that flexibility to work around your schedule and a family.
Having recently finished her Honours degree, Natalie has already seen the enormous benefits of studying and not just for her career.
'Studying has given me more opportunities, direction for the future, a lot of self-esteem and sense of accomplishment. I am proud to be a role-model for my kids – especially my girls – and know that everything I’m learning will help them in their future. My advice to others is to just do it because you’ll never regret it.'
Natalie hopes to now work within her related field helping adolescents as well as continuing her studies, having recently started her PhD with UniSQ.
