Student stories
Studying with Open Colleges (formerly Cengage Education) makes a world of difference.
But don't take our word for it... read what our students have to say!
A roundabout route to an IT career
Marcus Raven loves cartooning. In fact, he initially enrolled in our Certificate in Freelance Cartooning & Illustrating before realising that his other passion, IT, was where he wanted to build a career. He reckons he can continue to perfect his cartooning in his leisure time.
Now that Marcus has completed his Certificate II in IT, he intends to continue his studies, with a view to gaining employment in this field. He is particularly interested in working with computer hardware. more
Thanks to Steve Irwin
As a kid, Ken Whitelaw's hero was the late wildlife warrior Steve Irwin, and it was the famous Queenslander who inspired him to complete a Certificate in Animal Care with Open Colleges.
"When I first checked out the course, I saw what it could lead to – my case, a career working with animals," says Ken. more
Nailing it!
Nicole Jazowy believes that she has found her work-life niche. After several years working in various jobs, including office work and a bakery, and having a baby daughter, she decided to enrol in a Certificate III in Nail Technology.
"In doing this course, I have the opportunity to not only learn a new skill-set but also to establish my own business," says Nicole, who expects to complete the course in early 2012. more
A vocation fulfilled
Nicky Kelly from Baldivis, WA, used to work in the microfilm industry but ever since she left school she has had a desire to work in childcare.
It was only having her son, Zachary, however, that she made the move to pursue her vocation. more
Making travel plans
Sameera Malik and her husband Mukhtar live in Bathurst just west of the Blue Mountains in NSW, and they love the country life.
Since moving to Bathurst 10 years ago from Dubai, they have been raising a family and establishing their restaurant business. more
Challenges and opportunities
Kylie Roebuck, from Orange in the central west of NSW, is a single mum with five children, so she knows something about life's challenges.
The hurdles faced by Kylie have been many and, intuitively, she has confronted the need for self-motivation by embarking on a mission to become a life coach. more
Pursuing the positive
Kasna Su's life has prepared her well for her enrolment in our Certificate IV in Mediation.
"During my upbringing I was always the one to sort out an argument, while remaining apart from it, and I can often empathise with people’s feelings to resolve disputes," says Kasna. more
Why lifelong learning is great for business
Jackie Kidd is a great advocate for building a successful life in regional Australia.
Since moving to Orange in NSW 30 years ago, Jackie has raised a family, educated herself and, with her partner, built one of the town’s more successful businesses. more
Clearing life's hurdles
Bhavani Selvakumaran has lived in Bathurst, NSW, for 15 years but 2009 was a year that tested her resolve as a student, worker and mother.
"In that year I faced the multiple pressures of full-time work, part-time study, a daughter in Year 12 and a family member stricken by illness," she explains. more
Never give up
Karen Mills may have finished school at 15, but her subsequent life experience is one of not only appreciating the value of education but also putting this into practice.
She has continued to educate herself throughout her adult life and she is currently two years into a four-year Advanced Diploma of Accounting, having already completed a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping). more
From computing to childcare
Sujeewa Geekiyanag used to be a computer programmer in Sri Lanka, until marriage, a new country and children changed her priorities in life.
"Since arriving in Australia, I have been busy raising two young children and it is only now that I have been able to refocus on a career. As it happens, I was exposed to the pre-school environment through my own children and this inspired me to try a new direction in life." more
Dubbo designs
Home is where the heart is, so the saying goes, and for Rebecca James, that place is Dubbo. Even her goal of becoming a professional interior designer can’t pry her away from her hometown in the Central West of NSW, but fortunately, her distance studies allow her to work towards her dreams without going anywhere.
After leaving school, Rebecca was accepted into an architecture course at the University of Canberra but the separation from home proved too much of an obstacle and she opted for distance learning with Open Colleges. more
Shannon's writing career is 'sealed with a kiss'
As Shannon Curtis basks in the thrill of having her first full-length romantic suspense novel published, she might be forgiven for making claims about reality having far exceeded her wildest dreams. However, the Certificate in Romance Writing graduate is adamant that success was always part of her grand plan.
Still, Shannon admits she has come a long way since first discovering the Australian College of Journalism (part of Open Colleges) during a web search, and realising that the ACJ’s Certificate in Romance Writing course fitted her needs perfectly. more
Dancing to design
Meliza Reyes is a dance instructor and choreographer who is in the process of changing her profession to become a graphic designer.
My career in dance was on hold due to surgery and my husband, who had already enrolled in an Open Colleges course, convinced me that I should follow up my interest in design by doing the Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing course," she explains. more
Writer at large
"Tough but tender" – this is the Hemingway-like description given by John Layton’s trainer to an assignment he wrote for his Certificate in Short Story Writing.
"The works of Ernest Hemingway inspired me as a writer and I was particularly pleased when my trainer, the author June Colbert, said this showed in my writing style," explains John. more
A big future in small engines
Bradley Smith from Hope Valley in Adelaide is fascinated by the workings of the internal combustion engine.
It will therefore be no surprise to know that he is currently completing Open Colleges' Certificate in Fundamentals in Small Engine Repair. more
Coastal caring
Caring is woven into Debbie Phelps' life. Monday to Friday she works for Shellharbour Family Day Care, with up to five under-five-year-olds at her home, but on weekends she patrols for her local surf life saving club.
Debbie and her husband 'escaped' from Sydney 15 years ago and settled near the picturesque NSW coastal town of Shellharbour. With two young pre-schoolers of her own, she decided that it made sense to care for a few more children by using her own home as a family day care centre. more
The accidental carer
Tom Colwell didn’t plan a career in disability services but it has captured his heart and his imagination.
"I originally enrolled in the Certificate III in Disability to get a job that would support me while studying for a university degree in occupational therapy. Once I started work in the field, however, I found I really enjoyed it and I am now considering delaying my university studies to concentrate on this job," explains Tom. more
Fit for life
Jodi Wagstaff is creating a new career and a new life for herself in country Victoria.
She recently completed all of the requirements for a Certificate III in Fitness and she is already working as an instructor at her local gym, Oufit Health & Fitness. In the near future, she will be a partner in the business, with her new life partner Greg. more
Who loves a challenge
Carly Hardstaff got into accounting studies by doing her mum’s homework.
"A few years ago I found I enjoyed doing some of the homework set for my mother’s Certificate IV course in Financial Services," and, as Carly explains, "mum told her teacher and he said 'get her in here!'." more
When opportunity knocks
Hayley Rae’s introduction to financial services came when the departing bookkeeper at the Muswellbrook Newsagency where she works showed her the basics of the discipline.
It is now less than two years later and Hayley is about to qualify with a Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping). more
A new phase in life
Positive high school memories of bookkeeping prompted Lisa Shield to 'go back to school'. In her case, this meant enrolling in a distance education course for a Certificate IV Financial Services (Accounting).
"I found I had some time on my hands with both my sons at school and, since my high school days, I have always had a talent for figures, so the course with Open Colleges was a natural progression," says Lisa. more