Student Highlights
Foundation offers flexibility in targeting new career
In 2019, after leaving a career as a commercial cook and being medically discharged from the Army, Travis’ life was thrown upside down. He decided to start the move back to Newcastle from Townsville and re-evaluate what he wanted to pursue as a career.
“I looked back on my life, realised what I enjoyed and started searching for my options within the University of Newcastle,” he said.
With no HSC, Travis found Open Foundation as a way to get back into studying despite having no previous admission qualifications.
“I did not have an ATAR because I left school in Year 10, and I needed to get my brain back into study mode. Open Foundation was a great step into university,” he said.
Travis described the flexibility Open Foundation offered as being a motivator to get him started before he was able to fully commit to moving to Newcastle.
“Open Foundation was super flexible! I was still able to complete the final part of Open Foundation whilst overseas in the Army,” he said.
Accrediting Open Foundation to giving him his confidence back when it comes to study, Travis felt prepared to start his Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) degree.
“From not studying in over 10 years, Open Foundation gave me the confidence and skills to prepare me for my degree,” he said.
“Open Foundation was exciting for myself because it was the start of a new chapter in my life. This was the beginning of my next career.”
Encouraging others who might be considering studying again, Travis highly recommends the program for those wanting a change.
“If you are thinking about furthering your career, and have not studied in a while, this is the perfect place to start. Open Foundation will give you confidence and prepare you for success in your next pathway,” he said.
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Travis Hall
From commercial cook to the army, Travis had an unconventional start to his new career. Open Foundation gave him the confidence to start again, even after 10 years of no study.
Open Foundation was exciting for myself because it was the start of a new chapter in my life. This was the beginning of my next career.
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