How swapping calculators for cameras led one mum down a new career path

When Danielle White picked up a camera and animal identification book while her kids were at school, she never imagined her new hobby would lead to a dramatic career change.

Ms White’s career began by crunching numbers as an accountant, but now she works as a laboratory technician while completing a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Charles Darwin University (CDU).

The Mount Gambier mum’s path to her new life began during a 12-year career break to become a full-time carer for her children.

“My three young kids have disabilities and getting them interested in citizen science when they were young was great for them, but it also ignited my own passion for environmental science and it evolved from there over the years,” she said.

“I got a camera and after school drop-offs I would go out and take photos of birds, bugs, and other animals.

“I was always excited to go home and flip through some books and work out what each animal was, look at their habitat, what they do and what they eat. “

Ms White said going back to university as a mature age student was daunting at first but she quickly found her stride. 

She started her studies online, but this year relocated to Darwin to reap the benefits of CDU’s field trip opportunities.

Each unit has brought her closer to a fresh start in her professional life and peeled back new layers on topics she fell in love with.

For example, she fostered a newfound interest in mushrooms and would like to one day pursue an academic career related to fungi.

“There's so much benefit to trying new things and putting yourself out there,” she said.

“It’s worth taking the time to think about what it is you love doing and how you can apply that to your work – if that means going back to university, you could try studying part-time, or even just pick up one unit at a time.

“If you’re feeling stuck, bet on yourself – just do it.”

Ms White is also the Sustainability Officer for the 2025 CDU Student Council and volunteers at the Radicle Centre.