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Name: Alicia
High school attended: Shalom College, Bundaberg
Degree: Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Event Management)
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: I finished high school in 2009 and moved to the Sunshine Coast from Bundaberg to go to uni at the start of 2010.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador, representing USC in touch football at the 2011 Northern University Games.
Other: I am looking forward to the opportunity to take on an internship as part of my degree.
Career aspirations: I'm not quite sure what I want to do when I graduate yet, but hopefully it will be something that I enjoy and allows me to travel.
Why did you become an Ambassador? To get involved in the uni and show others the great opportunities at USC, while also offering my student perspective.
What do you like about USC? I like USC becuase it is a smaller uni with a close community and great learning space. |
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Name: Alise
High school attended: Chancellor State College
Degree: Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Science, majoring in mathematics.
Year of study: 3rd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: I completed two Headstart courses while I was in high school which eased me into university life. I then continued on to study full-time straight after finishing school. Since then I’ve spent a lot of time on campus and have met a lot of students, staff and academics.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Career aspirations: Once I graduate I hope to be a high school maths teacher in a Sunshine Coast school.
Why did you become an Ambassador? Growing up on the Sunshine Coast and spending a lot of time on campus has given me a lot of knowledge about the university. I enjoy being able to share my experiences and knowledge with future students. I also love being able to share with people the great lifestyle that USC offers.
What do you like about USC? I love the relaxed atmosphere and small student population. My tutors and lecturers all know my name and it’s really nice to see so many familiar faces on campus. The campus is quiet and peaceful and shared with local wildlife. The student support is astounding; help is around every corner if you need it. |
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Name: Chloe
High school attended: The Glennie School, Toowoomba
Degree: Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics
Year of study: 3rd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: I commenced university in 2009 directly after completing year 12. I relocated from a rural area and initially, I found the transition to university life difficult. However, now I am fully taking advantage of the opportunities USC offers and I am thoroughly enjoying my degree.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Career aspirations: Upon completion of my degree I would like to initially work in a rural hospital as a clinical dietician, before pursuing a career as a sports dietician.
Why did you become an Ambassador? Being a student ambassador allows me to help others and communicate the fantastic opportunities available at uni. I am able to relate to future students and I enjoy sharing with them my experiences as a current university student.
What do you like about USC? This university has a friendly and welcoming environment. Classes are small, allowing you to interact more with lecturers, tutors, and other students. I also like interacting with people from different cultures as a number of students come from other countries to study at USC. The USC staff are also very supportive and helpful. |
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Name: Dakoda
High school attended: Beerwah State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Journalism
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: I participated in the Headstart program in both Year 11 and Year 12 and found it an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Spending this time on campus as a student solidified my decision to study at USC as soon as I finished high school.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Other: In first semester 2012 I'll be studying at the University of Wyoming, USA on the Global Opportunities program. This will be an awesome experience! Third year journalism students also participate in an internship, which is exciting... and slightly scary!
Career aspirations: I hope to use the skills I learn at USC to become a magazine editor/journalist.
Why did you become an Ambassador? Being an Ambassador is a great way to meet people and share my experiences with prospective students, calming their uncertainties about university and helping them to make the most of their time at uni.
What do you like about USC? USC combines excellent education with a great atmosphere. The staff are highly qualified, friendly and take a real interest in your learning. The facilities are constantly being upgraded and maintained to give students the best opportunities. Plus, we have kangaroos! |
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Name: Danielle
High school attended: Bundaberg State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Business (Tourism, Leisure and Event Management)
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: When I finished high school I decided that I wasn’t ready to leave home to go to uni, so I started working at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. I worked every weekend and loved listening to the volunteers’ stories about how they knew Bert Hinkler. After my gap year, I had saved some money and moved down to Sunshine Coast. I was really excited to start uni.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador, Student Mentor
Other: I hope to study in America through USC's Global Opportunities program and am looking forward to completing a business internship on the Sunshine Coast as part of my degree.
Career aspirations: I hope to one day manage a resort or hotel and travel around the world.
Why did you become an Ambassador? I understand how daunting it can be to move away from home and attend university. I hope that by sharing my experiences with other students I can help them transition smoothly into the university lifestyle.
What do you like about USC? I like that USC is so modern and the teaching staff so accessible. The sight of kangaroos grazing in the paddocks is one you can never get tired of, even if it means dodging kangaroo droppings if you take a short-cut across the grass between buildings! |
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Name: Emma
High school attended: Toogoolawah State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2013
My journey: I graduated from high school in 2009 and then came to USC to begin my studies in 2010. Throughout high school I had had plans to study art and education but towards the end of year 12 I became really interested in health and decided I wanted to study Occupational Therapy, which I absolutely love!
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Career aspirations: At the end of my degree I plan to be a qualified occupational therapist (OT) and I am looking forward to exploring the many areas OTs work in.
Why did you become an Ambassador? I became an Ambassador because I love to meet new people and this position allows me to share with others my own experiences as well as the many opportunities that USC has to offer students.
What do you like about USC? I love that the campus has a very open and friendly atmosphere. The class sizes have allowed me to get to know many other students in my degree and I have always found my lecturers and tutors very easy to approach and talk to. |
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Name: Kristi
High school attended: Suncoast Christian College
Degree: Bachelor of Paramedic Science
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: I finished school in 2009 and decided to continue my studies with an undergraduate degree. I received an OP 1 and was accepted to many different universities - I chose to come to USC, and am so glad I did!
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador, member of SCUPA (Sunshine Coast University Paramedic Association), represented USC in Perth at the 2010 national paramedic conference.
Other: Through USC I have completed the first of 4 clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service, which was an amazing experience.
Career aspirations: After I graduate, I plan to work for a year, and then most likely continue to do a four year medical degree, specialising in emergency medicine.
Why did you become an Ambassador? I became an ambassador so that I could tell others all about USC, in the hope that they can come here, fit in and enjoy some of the best years of their lives.
What do you like about USC? I love that I know all my lecturers and almost everyone in my courses, because I think it’s very important particularly when making the transition from school to university. I’m also very grateful for the financial support, with a wide range of scholarships available and great job prospects after course completion. The campus is really beautiful too (especially with the kangaroos)! |
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Name: Lauren
High school attended: Siena Catholic College
Degree: Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
Year of study: 3rd
Target graduation date: 2012
My journey: When I was at school I had intended on going to Brisbane for university, however when I was in Year 11 I decided to do the Headstart Program at USC. In the program I completed 2 courses and made the decision during my first lecture that I wanted to come back to USC when I graduated from high school. I was initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) but I chose to change into a combined degree so I could broaden my range of study, increase my employability for the future and tailor my degree to suit my personal interests.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Other: I hope to study in Europe through the Global Opportunities program and do an internship at a Sunshine Coast accounting firm as part of my degree.
Career aspirations: I would love to work as an accountant in a tourism organisation that allows me to travel.
Why did you become an Ambassador? I know how daunting the transition from high school into uni can be for new students, because I experienced it when I was fifteen. Being a Student Ambassador gives me the opportunity to help students make the leap from high school to uni and feel comfortable with their choice to study at USC. This is a job I find very rewarding.
What do you like about USC? The atmosphere on campus is so friendly and relaxed. The tutorial classes are small, you get great support from lecturers and tutors and you never feel intimidated to ask the staff questions because they are always so willing to help. |
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Name: Leigh
High school attended: Maroochydore State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts with an English major
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2013
My journey: I entered the hospitality industry as a school-based trainee in grade 11, and went on to complete my apprenticeship once I’d graduated from grade 12. After 7 years of cooking and travelling I decided it was time for a change. I have always had a passion for children and passing on knowledge, so becoming a teacher seemed the logical direction to take.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Other: At the beginning of 2011 I joined Agents of Change, a club dedicated to exploring social issues.
Career aspirations: At this point in time I see myself finishing my degree and becoming a practicing teacher. I’d like to continue studying part time as well.
Why did you become an Ambassador? I enjoy talking to people, performing in front of crowds and I think being an ambassador is excellent experience for teaching.
What do you like about USC? The friendly staff, the range of help services available and the wide open spaces. I also enjoy having kangaroos roaming freely around the campus. |
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Name: Saira
High school attended: Beerwah State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business, majoring in Public Relations and Marketing
Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2013
My journey: I started at USC straight after finishing high school. I even wrote my scholarship application the day after I graduated from year 12. I always knew I wanted to come to USC over all other unis, and I was impatient all summer waiting to get into my uni study.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador, Student Mentor, Member of SIFE team, Golden Key International Society.
Other: I'm really interested in taking part in the Global Opportunities program in either my 3rd or 4th year, either to England or hopefully Canada, to experience living overseas, meet new people and broaden my career horizons.
Career aspirations: I hope to continue working in the not-for-profit industry, particularly focusing on wildlife conservation, animal welfare or mental health. Alternatively I may also like to pursue a career in editing. I also hope to travel to every single continent, including Antarctica!
Why did you become an Ambassador? Having recently been a high school student, and having two younger sisters still at school, I can understand and relate to the challenges surrounding the transition to university that many high school students experience. To know that I can provide support and be a friendly face in a big sea of uncertainty is a very gratifying feeling.
What do you like about USC? At USC you don't feel like just another number! Tutors and lecturers take the time to get to know you, classmates become best mates and there are so many options for support available. The campus is also very chilled and relaxed, with amazing buildings and architecture and a wonderful emphasis on environmental sustainability. Rather than university stressing me out and taking over my life, USC has made university a natural, comfortable part of my lifestyle. |
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Name: Sophie
High school attended: Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business (Marketing Communications)
Year of study: 3rd
Target graduation date: I plan to finish my studies in 2013 after an extra year of completing a Graduate Diploma in Education.
My journey: When I was 16 I enrolled in Headstart here at USC, which was such an amazing experience that I continued to study at the University full-time straight out of high school.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Other: While at USC I wish to take part in the Global Opportunities program and study in both America and Europe. I’m also looking forward to the internships that are available through the Bachelor of Arts relating to journalism, although they aren’t until my 3rd and 4th year.
Career aspirations: After university I wish to write or teach all over the world. Not only focusing on journalism, but branching out into different careers such as communications, education, social services and anything else adventurous that helps others.
Why did you become an Ambassador? Being an Ambassador provides more opportunities to meet all kinds of people and help them understand the ins and outs of university life. I know how unsure I was within my first few weeks of university and the Ambassadors really helped me through it. I hope to help other students through university too.
What do you like about USC? USC has a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for a non-stress studying environment. All the tutors are comfortable to talk to and make an effort to help you in your studies. |
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Name: Stephen
High school attended: Sunshine Beach State High School
Degree: Bachelor of Civil Engineering, majoring in Environment and Water Year of study: 2nd
Target graduation date: 2014
My journey: After completing high school I accepted a position in USC’s engineering program, as it was cheaper for me to stay on the coast and I would still have the opportunity to enjoy everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer. I started my degree straight after school, and found many of my engineering lecturers and co-ordinators are well respected and senior engineers from around the world. Because of the more personal environment here at USC I’ve already gained so much industry knowledge through discussions with them and learning from their personal experiences.
Uni involvement: Student Ambassador
Other: I received an engineering scholarship at the beginning of my degree which was a huge bonus, not only financially but also gave me the opportunity to focus on my studies.
Career aspirations: I hope to start my engineering career in rural QLD, build my way up as an experienced engineer, before travelling to work as an engineer in Europe.
Why did you become an Ambassador? Being an Ambassador is a fantastic way to learn and share the ins and outs about the uni with others, gain experience in public speaking and receive opportunities to network with people.
What do you like about USC? USC is situated in one of the greatest places Australia could offer. I love going to the beach, and studying at USC allows me to complete my degree and enjoy this fantastic lifestyle.
All the lecturers are welcoming and easy to talk to, and the campus is so modern and open; it’s also great to see kangaroos grazing right outside of your classroom. |