A former jet-setting Sunshine Beach travel writer has switched jobs to become a paramedic after graduating with a perfect score from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC).
Mother-of-two Jane Fraser graduated with a Bachelor of Paramedic Science and a University Medal for a perfect Grade Point Average of 7, and is thrilled with her new career with the Queensland Ambulance Service.
“I’m loving it. I absolutely love it. It’s everything I hoped it would be,” she said.
“I enjoy the variety of work on the Sunshine Coast; we have forests, beaches, camping grounds, farms and all sorts of different environments, so you get a good range of jobs.”
Mrs Fraser, 42, of Sunshine Beach, said she had been interested in medicine since leaving high school in South Australia, but studied journalism instead, a path that saw her “living out of a suitcase” for 10 years, travelling the world.
“When I left school, paramedics wasn’t a career option that even crossed my radar. I had a good career in journalism but I reached a point where I needed to do something I felt was more rewarding.”
She and her husband Andrew and kids Fergus, 14, and Hugh, 12, moved from Sydney 10 years ago, and she joined Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club where she became a patrol captain, trainer/assessor and first aid officer.
“That was something that cemented in my mind that this was the sort of environment I wanted to work in,” she said.
“I don’t want to be stuck indoors all day. I really like being out and about in the community and being part of a team.”
Going back to university full-time meant life got busy, as she balanced work as a part-time event medic, the school runs and letting the kids cook once in a while.
“I just used every available minute I had to study,” she said.
“I had lists and lists of what was due and I was always working a long way ahead of deadline to factor in school holidays. I also did a few summer subjects to spread the load.”
“I think being older helped me. When you go into university as a mature-aged student, you’re often making a lot of sacrifices to be there, and you have a pretty clear idea of what you want to come out with.”Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC. Visit www.usc.edu.au/learn
