Stay-at-home mum Kelly Tailford has reinvigorated her career with CQUniversity, even inspiring her kids in the process.
With aspirations to complete a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Kelly said she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, drawing from her personal experiences as a mother and caregiver.
To help achieve this the Bundaberg mother enrolled in CQU’s Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) course, which is course that provides a pathway for people to gain entry to and succeed in higher education.
“Occupational therapy is career that I have always wanted to pursue – two of my four children have special needs, and I spent many years taking them to occupational therapy,” she said.
“This only furthered my desire to support others in similar situations.
“As I had not studied since leaving school in Year 12, STEPS provided direct entry into the degree while preparing me for university study.
“I did not just succeed in STEPS but thrived. I do not think I would have achieved the results I have without what I learnt in the course.”
Kelly said she was inspired to enrol in the STEPS program after attending a CQU open day with her son.
As a mature aged student, Kelly said she was initially wary of going back to study, but credited the encouragement of CQU staff in helping her realise that higher education could an option for her.
“I definitely had imposter syndrome in the beginning, but the STEPS staff are so caring and genuinely want their students to succeed,” she said.
“My son also recently completed STEPS in 2023, and I have another son enrolled this year.
“I don’t know if I inspired them or not, but I definitely promoted the course to them.”
While navigating university life alongside her family responsibilities has presented its challenges, Kelly said she was a large advocate for other mothers to consider returning to study.
“I completed STEPS in 2020 in the midst of COVID. As a result, I had to juggle uni while having my children completing school from home for a period of time,” Kelly said.
“I am grateful that CQUniversity Bundaberg has given me the flexibility and confidence to balance both aspects of my life.”
Now halfway through her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Kelly hopes to stay local after graduation and contribute to the region’s shortfall in the occupational therapy domain.
For more information and to register for an information session, visit CQU’s STEPS website.
