Cameron's Story

Meeting Cameron one shiny morning at Newcastle’s picture-perfect ocean baths, fit and fun are the two words that come to mind: the setting being very apt as it’s a big part of his weekday routine. With two degrees under his belt, a Bachelor’s and a Master’s, it’s hard to fathom that Cameron finished school with an ATAR of 44. Growing up on the Central Coast, Cameron remembers enjoying school but shares “I didn’t have the right resources to motivate me to learn”. Cameron thought people were “born smart” and that university was “not meant for me”, making him an excellent example of how wrong that thinking is. In fact, his clear passion for learning and his aptitude for achieving high grades at university are remarkable given his sense of failure after the HSC, and also probably quite reassuring for anyone else who might have had a similar experience and is contemplating university.

Turning to Open Foundation at age 20 as a starting point for rebuilding his learner confidence and, as he puts it, “a new path for my future”. Receiving an impressive university entry score of 94, alas, his goal of starting a degree in Physiotherapy was just out of reach, requiring 96 to enter the program at the time. Feeling “a bit lost”, Cameron had a year off to consider his options and commenced a Bachelor of Science the following year, strategically choosing subjects that played to his strengths and kept him engaged.

After a year of dedication and hard work, I not only excelled in my studies but also successfully transferred into the Physiotherapy program.

Again, achieving excellent results, Cameron realised during his fourth-year placements that a career in Physiotherapy “wasn’t enough” and on completing his degree only worked in the field for a brief period before deciding to “blend his passion for health and wellness with a commitment to sustainable environmental practices” by enrolling in a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management and Sustainability but ending up with a Master’s in this field. Cameron is now happily working for a carbon offset provider with its head office in Perth and honing his business management skills, whilst still enjoying the coastal lifestyle of Newcastle. His background in health and his curiosity about how environmental factors and health factors are linked recognised as an asset by the CEO of the company, who he works closely with.

Talking of his time in Open Foundation, Cameron realised that “studying is a skill that can be developed with time and dedication”. A long way from the disappointed teenager who felt unsure about his future, Cameron credits his ambition and his inner motivation as the keys to fulfilling his educational and career goals, and on a final note, shares with equal parts pride and humility, "I’ve worked hard to get here and I’m super grateful as well”.

Story by Jo Hanley

Photos by Visual Communication Design student, Kristen Zahra

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