Graduate excited to receive first formal qualification

Nervous, but prepared to give it her best was how Megan Wordsworth approached studying at Ara. Tomorrow (14 February) she is proud to be graduating with her first official qualification, as well as speaking on behalf of the graduates at the Ara Institute of Canterbury Timaru Graduation.

Equipped with a background in administration, but following a few years out of the workforce looking after her children, Wordsworth approached Ara as an adult student to brush up on her skills.

“I went into meet Frina Albertyn, the business lecturer and she said to me ‘Why would you do what you’ve already done? Why not step up and study at a higher level?’ That set me a bit of a challenge which I decided to take up.”

Wordsworth enrolled in the Diploma of Business before discovering she had an interest in health and safety that led to her shift into the Diploma of Human Resource Management.

Her hard work has really reaped the rewards for Wordsworth who was named top student in three of her courses and given a special award for taking on an additional paper.

“I really enjoyed studying through Ara and I thought the tutors were just awesome because they’re so supportive and committed to their students. Studying from Ashburton via video conference it was very similar to being there face to face.”

Wordsworth is pleased with her career direction and says she is enjoying her new role as Health and Safety Coordinator for Ashburton Contracting, which is “very challenging and people oriented.”

Now that Wordsworth has seen the impact studying has had on her own life, she really encourages others to keep their mind open to the possibility of further education and “just go for it.”

“Education can open doors for people. It gives people self-confidence and I really believe it changes lives. And I think it has mine.”

Ara Timaru Graduation is on 14 February at 2pm, Southern Trust Events Centre, preceded by a Street Parade on Stafford St at 11am.

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