Brendan constructs new life path after government career
Coming to University after a 12-year career in government, Brendan Bowler was looking to try something new and found his passion along the way.
Originally starting an architecture degree, he quickly realised his ‘people person’ nature meant he was more suited to the managerial side of things, so he transferred to a Bachelor of Construction Management.
A year into his degree, Brendan faced navigating online learning when COVID hit.
“At first, I wasn’t a big fan of it. I feel I’m quite a ‘people person’ and I like to attend campus, whereas with online study you have to manage your own time,” he said.
“But later, it became quite a blessing.”
While completing his degree, Brendan and his partner had two children, and with their family expanding decided to make the move to the Sunshine Coast.
“Life was pretty chaotic during that time. Obviously with two kids I had to shuffle a lot more things around, so it became a blessing to be able to pick when I studied. I took it in my stride to be honest.”
Brendan reflects that the passion of his lecturers made all the difference to his learning.
“I really enjoyed doing my thesis. I got really involved and started to become quite passionate about it.”
Inspired by watching his daughter’s interactions with play equipment, Brendan’s thesis focused on the risks to children on playground equipment and how it could be designed and developed to incorporate more health benefits.
“I saw my daughter using playground equipment that wasn’t challenging and not very exciting. When we went to a different playground which challenged her far more, you could see the benefits instantly,” he said.
“I did a bit more research and considered how I could tie this in with construction management.”
Brendan also enjoyed the consistent feedback that came with doing his thesis, welcoming the opportunity to think more critically and self-evaluate, an experience that was influenced by his mentor.
“Dr Thomas Cooper-Johnson was my mentor throughout the thesis journey, and was pivotal to my literature understanding, writing and development. You don’t know how it’s all going to tie in together at the end, and then it just happens. It was nice to see it unfold.”
As a mature age student, Brendan says anyone thinking about study should embrace it as they are never too old to start.
Brendan is now taking this experience into a graduate program with Stockland where he will have exposure to different areas including civil infrastructure, sustainability and development.
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Read more about graduation and the success of our students:
Every student journey celebrated at University of Newcastle Graduations
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Matilda masters expanding her health career
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- Email: kali.somerville@newcastle.edu.au
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