Student Spotlight - Tracey Paterson
Graduating Veterinary Nursing student Tracey Paterson talks about why it's never too late to follow your dreams.
Mature age Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418) student Tracey Paterson is a testament to it never being too late to pursue your dream.
After many career changes – from accounting to computer programming – she made the decision to follow her passion.
“Vet nursing was the only thing I actually ever wanted to do,” she said.
“I tried to get into vet nursing as a teenager, but there was nothing – or you had to be already employed.”
The decision to pursue a career in came after losing her job to COVID.
“I thought to myself how could I be born to do something and never get to achieve it?" she said.
After mustering the courage to enrol, Tracey commenced classes not long after – and hasn’t looked back since.
"I remember turning out to my first class - I nearly packed my bags and went home because I was so nervous."
“It's amazing what you do when you want to do something.
“You just make it work.”
During her studies, Tracey got a job at the Chelsea Veterinary Clinic as Practice Manager.
“There were nights I would come home from work at 8.30pm and have to pick up the books,” she said.
“My husband and kids have been so supportive of me.”
With the help of GOTAFE’s trainers and her family, she managed to complete her studies and is featuring as a speaker at GOTAFE’s graduation ceremonies throughout March.
Committed to lifelong learning, Tracey has recently embarked on further studies with Charles Sturt University in a part-time capacity.
