There is no doubt that coming back to study at university after 14 years felt daunting at first. Returning as both a mum and a mature student, the navigation of today's technology and online learning systems felt like a whole new world to me.
Despite these feelings, I had already decided that I was planning to pursue a Master of Education (Leadership and Management) at QUT (Queensland University of Technology). Before I had children, I had always been in positions of leadership within the education system. My experiences in these roles developed a passion for creating change in the education system that I knew I wanted to follow when I was ready to come back into the workforce.
I felt that QUT’s Master of Education (Leadership and Management) would give me vital knowledge of leadership and management so that when I returned to work in a full-time capacity, I would have the skills to take on more prominent leadership positions. I also knew it would give me the confidence to fulfil these roles after spending the last 10 years raising our children.
Coming back to study after having children had its challenges too – but with my incredible support system, I was able to achieve my dream. QUT’s online learning options allowed me to balance children, part-time work, and study – a vastly distinct experience from my undergraduate course. My parents Rob and Lynne O’Neill, and my husband Niall Carey were my biggest supporters. Mum and Dad were never too busy to come and babysit the children while I headed to the library and worked on assessments. This could sometimes take up most of the day! They have always been the most incredibly supportive and loving parents, and I am honestly not sure I would have completed this degree without their help and encouragement. My husband always had the belief that I could achieve this – even with 3 young children and part-time work to juggle. There were times I wanted to throw the towel in, but he was right there to remind me I was capable and to think of the end goal. This belief made all the difference.
I also received a piece of advice during my time at QUT that has always stuck with me – back yourself. One of the units required us to choose a topic of interest for a literature review. My tutor (at the time) suggested that I should publish it in an educational journal, but the process felt like it was more than I could handle.
I also had difficulty finding a co-author, so I spoke to Professor Kerryann Walsh, who was the subject coordinator at the time. Her words of encouragement and support to publish my literature review on my own allowed me to get it published in the Issues in Educational Research Journal. I am so glad I took her advice, persisted with the process, and backed myself in the face of a new challenge.
Now that I have graduated, I will ideally ease back into full-time work and apply for leadership positions when they become available in the school. I love teaching and always want to remain in the classroom in some capacity. However, my desire to take on leadership roles in schools has only grown while completing the Master of Education, and I am excited about what the future may hold.
