ECU Joondalup Campus.
Edith Cowan University's (ECU) student first approach provides the right opportunities you need to pursue a career that is right for you.
Rhiarn Snowden.
Your career is here when you are ready to go for it
First-year ECU Bachelor of Science (Nursing) student Rhiarn Snowden, who is an Aboriginal woman with ties to the Ngemba people, commenced her studies at ECU via mid-year entry.
Her challenging early beginnings shaped who she is today.
Rhiarn was born three months premature and went through a harrowing series of medical complications, which caused the loss of some of her fingers and toes.
Growing up in and out of hospital, she strongly empathised with other patients and started to grow an interest in healthcare.
This led Rhiarn to working in the health industry and eventually to the decision to study nursing at ECU. "I am happy I came to ECU as a mature aged student," she said. "I am mentally ready and have my priorities straight, and my experience in the health industry can be used during clinical placements and throughout my degree.
"I want to eventually complete a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery Practice and work with Aboriginal women and babies – in particular, premature babies."
Flexible and supportive
Rhiarn credits ECU's flexible study options and generous support services for giving her the confidence to work towards her dream career.
"The fact I can study online and come on to campus for my workshop once a week was a game changer, and I had no doubts I would be more than capable," she said. “The learning and access teams assisted me in creating a personalised study plan.
"They considered my circumstances, which alleviated my stress and made me feel at ease.
"There are free psychological services and academic support programs, such as Peer Assisted Study Sessions, which I recommend to any students struggling with fast-paced tutorials, as it helps you feel more comfortable asking questions on things you don't understand.
"There is so much support at ECU – you just have to ask."
Lindsey Miller.
Smooth return to education
After several years as a dedicated stay-at-home mum, ECU Bachelor of Education (Primary) student Lindsey Miller felt the urge to consider her future career.
Wanting a change from her previous customer service role, Lindsey made the bold decision to re-enter education to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.
Lindsey made the easy transition to start studying mid-year through ECU's university preparation course UniPrep, which she said proved invaluable, offering her a glimpse into university life and study dynamics before embarking on her degree.
"UniPrep offered a pathway for me to transition smoothly into university life, especially after being out of formal education for some time," she said.
Gaining practical experience at ECU
For Lindsey, it was the opportunity to participate in teaching placements and a study tour which made her course at ECU so valuable.
"The placements offered the perfect opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, and working alongside experienced teachers provided me with invaluable insights and enriched my learning experience," she said.
"Embarking on a study tour to Jakarta, Indonesia reaffirmed my passion for education and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the resilience and resourcefulness of educators around the world."
For more information on mid-year entry, visit www.ecu.edu.au/mid-year
