One journey is coming to an end and another is just beginning for 6254 QUT students who are graduating in December.
The university is hosting 18 end-of-year ceremonies at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with about 4500 graduating students attending in person.
The ceremonies began on Friday and will continue through to December 21.
Nicola Grobler is one of the students who is celebrating this week.
She is graduating with a double degree in environmental science and professional communication and an impressive GPA of 6.8 (out of a maximum of 7).
Nicola will attend QUT’s final graduation ceremony for the year on Thursday, which will be hosted by the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice.
“Like most graduating students, I don’t think it feels real that I’m finally graduating – it’s been a long and swirly journey, starting just before COVID,” Nicola said.
“I’m excited to put my knowledge into practice in a real-world job, but I’ll miss the constant learning environment here at QUT.
“I’m celebrating my graduation with some well-deserved rest in north Queensland where I grew up … I’ll be surveying nesting turtles, catching up on my reading list recommendations, and sleeping.”
Nicola won’t be resting for long though – she already has a job.
“QUT actually introduced me to my next step after graduation … I was on my final project field trip for environmental science when I met my current employer,” she said.
“I'm already working as the communications and marketing coordinator for Queensland Trust for Nature.”
Out of all the memories from her Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Science, Nicola said exploring south-east Queensland on student field trips were the ones that would stay with her the most.
“Honestly, I'll remember every single field trip: studying ecology at K’gari, soil at Mt Tambourine, groundwater at Springbrook, and birds at Samford Ecological Research Facility,” she said.
“There's nothing quite like learning from your passionate lecturers in their element, alongside the excitement of other students.”
QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
