Alumni stories
Rock bottom to robot coding rockstar: Meet Joel
Joel Benesha is what you’d call a high achiever. During his time at CDU, the software engineering honours student has been the recipient of over ten scholarships. But things haven’t always been this way. Joel failed Year 12 and “hit rock bottom.” He talks about how he picked himself up and turned his life around.
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Bored high school student to respected community leader
Haydon Staines, a proud Indigenous man, went from being a bored high school student to becoming a respected community leader. It was a path that often took him out of his comfort zone.
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Srijana's a rising star in local engineering industry
Since graduating with a degree in engineering, Srijana landed a dream job with a local engineering firm, has worked on fantastic projects, and has been recognised with a Young Achiever award.
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Neil proves it’s never too late to become a nurse
Neil Addis was 53 years old when he finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a Registered Nurse. Now he supports others to achieve their dreams of a career helping others in the healthcare sector.
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May's bold choices led her to CDU and on to career success.
A few years ago, May Fan was happy with the status quo. She lived in China’s Anhui province and had a good education and a stable career. She was surrounded by supportive family, including her loving husband and a young daughter. Then one day, something changed.
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An online law degree with toddlers? Margaret did it.
Margaret began her online law degree at Charles Darwin University with a one-year-old on her knee, and had her second child in her second semester of study. As well as winning eight awards and two scholarships, she graduated in only four years, with first class honours.
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I did an online teaching degree while living in remote Australia
Alisha has always dreamed of becoming a teacher and she wasn't about to let remote living stop her from studying a teaching degree. Rather, she embraced the opportunity to study teaching online, while building a fulfilling career - and life.
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Meet Rory, the Australian Apprentice of the Year
Overseeing the move of Big Kev the dinosaur may not be the most important recent event in Rory Milner’s life, but it’s right up there. “Big Kev is a Territory icon. People ask me, ‘How’s Kev? Will he be safe?” says the Charles Darwin University graduate.
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From hairdresser to midwife: Talea’s story
CDU alumni Talea Cotte completed a Bachelor of Midwifery online from her home in Perth while raising three young children and working part-time. Upon finishing high school, Talea trained as a hairdresser but realised soon after the birth of her first baby that she wanted to become a midwife.
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