A local student from Ungarie has achieved what no-one in her family has before - she successfully graduated from university.
Ms Kadee Gerhard-Scali graduated from the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic) at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga this month, describing it as her greatest achievement in life.
Growing up in a single-parent family that often had to call on neighbours and the wider community for support while her mother had to work, Kadee wondered whether the cost of pursuing a university education would be prohibitive.
"In addition to figuring out how I could cover the costs associated with moving away from home, such as accommodation, my course was placement-heavy requiring me to do 52 weeks of unpaid placement away from campus throughout my degree," Kadee said.
Kadee's placements took her to various locations across the state. In second year, she was based in Shellharbour and Goulburn, completing four weeks at each practice. In third year, she completed six weeks of placement in Wagga Wagga and another six weeks in Leeton. And in her fourth year, Kadee completed 36 weeks of placement across Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta, depending on where she was rostered.
Despite the challenges associated with finding accommodation and covering the costs of constant relocation, Kadee's determination to pursue a career in health fuelled her to find a way. She applied for and received financial assistance through her local Country Education Foundation, CEF West Wyalong & District, CEF's Student Placement Assistance Program, and various scholarships through Charles Sturt University.
""This financial support had a major impact on my quality of life during my university studies."
Kadee Gerhard-ScaliCEF West Wyalong & District
"As the placements were often away from uni and home, paid work in those locations was challenging. My scholarships allowed me to survive during these placements and to live on campus outside those times. This support, coupled with the casual jobs I was able to obtain, made pursuing higher education possible."
Kadee said she felt grateful, noting that not all students are able to receive the financial support she did.
"Students often go hungry and sleep in unsafe environments to make ends meet during placement, or they have to defer their studies so they can work and save to pursue their courses the following year," she said.
Kadee felt immense pride upon graduating, made even more satisfying by receiving a job offer immediately afterward at the site where she completed placement in Albury NSW.
"There were many times the financial, emotional and mental costs of pursuing an allied health degree were extremely hard, particularly as these degrees do not receive government financial support for placements," she said. "It was easy to consider quitting."
Now, as a new graduate, Kadee believes her job will provide opportunities to grow and develop her skills in X-ray and Computed Tomography, Mammography, and hopefully one day, MRI.
When it comes to advice for other students considering their career options, Kadee said it's normal to not know exactly what you want to do immediately after high school and encouraged students to think about what they are passionate about.
"University is a place of opportunity and growth, not something to be afraid of," she said.
"Understand from the outset there will be financial pressures, so start planning early for how you might navigate those. My life has taught me resilience and independence, which I am extremely grateful for."
Country Education Foundation supports the proposed expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme to all allied health and medical students as an effective way to reduce placement poverty (as outlined by Charles Sturt University and many others). Learn more here.
