Student Highlights
Pathways impact goes beyond medicine

Under the impression university wouldn’t be for her, Catherine had never considered a degree, but the opportunity Open Foundation presented gave her hope she could progress in a new career.

“Open Foundation was a chance to engage with an education system I had long fallen out with. [University of Newcastle] made tertiary education accessible and inspiring with its pathways programs that allowed flexibility and avenues for bridging the gaps in fundamental knowledge,” she said.

During her study, Catherine was drawn to aspects of health degrees, in particular, Medicine.

“Clarity about medicine as the choice for me only grew as I progressed through Open Foundation. As my capacity to learn and passion for health and wellbeing was unleashed I began to investigate clinically focused degrees,” she said.

Discovering the Excellence through Equity (EtE) Pathway to Medicine, a pathway opening opportunities for Open Foundation students from diverse backgrounds who have experienced disadvantage along their educational journey, Catherine’s dreams of a career in medicine started to become a reality.

“Fortuitously, an email was sent out during this time describing the Excellence through Equity (EtE) Pathway to Medicine. I reached out to the admin team enquiring instantly. Not only was university an option, but a future as a clinician materialised,” she said.

Receiving a place in EtE has been a key highlight for Catherine, alongside proving to herself she could succeed in her own right academically.

“The EtE Pathway has facilitated the building of personal empowerment and a future positioned to make a difference through the lens of someone who understands the profound complexities of life’s many challenges,” she said.

Creating lasting friendships within her cohort, Catherine was able to connect on a deeper level with her peers through their shared challenges and barriers to entry.

“Meeting other EtE students and being inspired by the barriers they have overcome as well as having confidants in the unique challenges adversity and barriers to entry brings,” she said.

Discussing the practical work experience she has already completed within the JMP (Joint Medical Program), Catherine is appreciative of the hands-on experience placement provides. The ability to understand patients in the real world rather than a textbook is invaluable.

“Shadowing Clinicians and GP placement has been incredibly enriching. While we have many passionate professors and clinicians within campus learning, being in the patient centric environment is a game changer. It gives context to abstract or challenging concepts such as the importance of working with patients in their health journey that cannot be fully appreciated in a textbook,” she said.

Reflecting on her Open Foundation experience, Catherine found the academics encouraged all students and created a supportive re-introduction to study which she has carried on throughout her degree.

“The non-judgement and ability to teach core concepts in a diverse array of formats assisted me in developing the attitude of ‘you can try, fail, and try again’. There was no question that couldn’t be asked, and each student’s learning was tailored to their needs,” she said.

Completing Open Foundation created a lasting and inspirational moment for Catherine and her family - one she never considered happening in the past.

“It was recognition that I had succeeded in my first concrete step towards a fulfilling academic and professional future. My family’s cheers and joy of my achievement is something I treasure,” she said.

With hopes to work as a clinical specialist in operating or emergency, Catherine is continuously inspired by what she has accomplished and the positive change she is making to patients' lives.

“The most profound life experiences I have had have been within these settings; knowing this I know I hold a unique ability to walk through these events with patients and their loved ones,” she said.

“If I hadn’t known about the opportunities offered at the University [of Newcastle], I would never have thought there was a place in tertiary education for me.”

Find out more about the Equity through Excellence pathway here

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Catherine Kingston

University was never something attainable for Catherine, until she found Open Foundation. This pathway led her to the Excellence through Equity (EtE) Pathway to Medicine where she is accomplishing goals she hadn’t even considered previously.

The EtE Pathway has facilitated the building of personal empowerment and a future positioned to make a difference through the lens of someone who understands the profound complexities of life’s many challenges.