QUT graduate Husna Ibrahim distinctly remembers the first time she called the TAFE information line as a nervous 18-year-old unsure about her future study path.
But six years later she has a Diploma of Interior Design from TAFE Queensland, a double degree in interior architecture and property economics from QUT, a job helping QUT students, and the foundations of her own interior design consultancy.
For Husna, a TAFE diploma was a valuable pathway to studying at QUT.
It boosted her selection rank for university entry and – just as importantly – provided the nurturing stepping stone that gave her the confidence and experience to succeed at uni.
QUT Provost Professor Robina Xavier said Husna was one of thousands of skilled QUT graduates and current students who had successfully transitioned from TAFE to university.
"The articulation pathways from TAFE Queensland to QUT have been established for more than 20 years, reflecting a deep alignment in delivering practical, high-quality education outcomes," Professor Xavier said.
"One of the reasons these pathways are so important is that they improve access to university for students who are often from historically under-represented groups in higher education.
"Our collaboration with TAFE is also focused on developing skilled graduates for priority Queensland areas ranging from engineering, property and design to business, social work and teaching."
Husna said she applied for university after finishing school but didn't have a high enough ATAR to get into the courses she most wanted to do – architecture or interior architecture.
She was offered a place in another QUT course instead, but decided she wasn't yet ready for university and began exploring other pathways to architecture.
"I was really nervous about university – I'm first in my family to go to uni and it all felt very overwhelming," she said.
"But then I saw I could go to TAFE and do interior design.
"My mum's been to TAFE before, it was more familiar and I'm someone who was (at that time) a very nervous and shy person … I really needed that smaller environment.
"I called TAFE and asked questions, even though I was really nervous and my voice was cracking. We had a chat and they told me the diploma would be a great pathway to get into architecture.
"I loved TAFE and I found it really supportive and easy to make friends. That helped a lot because then when I started uni I had three friends from my diploma who also came to QUT."
Husna said learning from industry guests and making professional and social connections at TAFE and QUT had been the highlights of her diploma and degree experiences.
Since graduating with her Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) and Bachelor of Property Economics double degree last year, she has been building her design portfolio through freelance consultancy work. (This QUT double degree is now the Bachelor of Built Environment (Honours) (Interior Design)/Bachelor of Property Economics.)
Her work has included interior design projects with health practices – an opportunity that developed out of her part-time job as a dental assistant, which has given her a strong understanding of the needs of the employees and patients who move around a practice.
Husna is also currently working part-time with QUT's student inclusion team, where she helps current and future students from culturally diverse communities.
She said her own family's challenges – and her pathway and study experiences – meant there were many insights she could share with others.
"My family is Eritrean and Ethiopian and I was born in Sudan – we came here when I was three with my mum, no English, no other family," she said.
"It was very stressful for my mum and she's supported me so much with my education. She did a big graduation celebration for me last year and now all my siblings have decided to go to university too, through several different pathways.
"I'm really happy with where I am today, and the personal growth and development that I've experienced through TAFE and university."
Husna is keen to continue her consultancy work and also secure a position with a Brisbane design firm, particularly in healthcare architecture or designing for school and education settings.
She said her message to Year 12 students and other people considering future study and careers was to keep an open mind when it came to possible pathways and do what worked for them.
"Don't be too harsh on yourself, don't compare yourself to other people," she said.
"You are yourself, so do what you want to do. And even if you don't know what you want to do, go out and try things. I called TAFE and asked questions because I did not want to give up. So if there's something you really want to do, just don't give up."
QUT offers more than 40 articulation pathways where TAFE students can gain entry to QUT degree programs and also get credit for some of the units they've already studied.
The university also offers 11 dual awards where students apply to TAFE via QTAC, successfully complete their diploma, and then get automatic entry to the linked QUT degree without having to reapply through QTAC.
