From Lance Corporal to aspiring social worker

A Charles Darwin University program has given a former Defence Force member the opportunity to follow a new call, after an injury that derailed his military career. 

Alexander Dabic, 31, served in the Australian Defence Force for seven years, but a recurring injury forced him to reconsider his planned long career in the infantry. 

Now, medically discharging, he has enrolled in the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) with dozens of others looking to learn the skills necessary for success in higher education. 

“At first I was worried that there would only be younger people in the course, but I found that people who attend TEP come from myriads of different ages and backgrounds,” Mr Dabic said. 

“No matter where you are from, we have the same end goal, so we have that commonality.  Due to my injuries all my work experience since I’ve left school is unusable. I'm basically starting from scratch.” 

Mr Dabic goal is to graduate from a Bachelor of Psychology at CDU, and although he qualified for the degree, he decided to complete a Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) first to be prepared for university.  

“TEP has enabled me to transition into university education, providing a step-by-step approach in learning how to learn,” he said.

TEP compromises of three core units and a specialist elective undertaken in one semester if studied full-time. Students can participate in the program on-campus or fully online. 

“Foundations for success [a core unit] has already been good. Just the simple things of learning how a computer works properly, using Learnline and merging pdfs. Stuff like that I’ve never done before. This is all completely new,” 

CDU Senior Lecturer and TEP Unit Coordinator George Lambrinidis said that the program was designed not only as a pathway to meet university entry requirements, but as a supported introduction to the expectations, skills and habits that underpin success at university. 

“TEP is often the moment where students realise, ‘I can do this.’ Whether they’re returning to study, changing careers, or starting fresh after years away from the classroom,” George said. 

“The program builds confidence and equips them to thrive at university. It’s a genuine chance to redefine their direction and unlock new possibilities,”  

“For people transitioning into a new career or returning from structured work environments like Defence or trades, TEP provides a clear and supported entry point into university,” 

Mr Lambrinidis said no matter your background, TEP gives you the skills and confidence to step into your chosen degree with clarity and motivation.