Gladstone residents who've been at home bringing up kids - but who are planning to resume a career - are invited to a workshop designed to help them plan their next move.

The workshop will be held on September 9 at CQUniversity Gladstone, with childcare and lunch provided free of charge.

Rebecca Marshall with son Zac ... kept her career options open

Registration is essential and numbers are strictly limited. For more information contact Aimee Bartlett on a.bartlett@cqu.edu.au or (07) 4979 7247.

CQUniversity student and single mum Rebecca Marshall is just a few weeks short of finishing her teaching degree and will be re-entering the workforce next year after being at home with son Zac for the last 5 years.

After moving to Gladstone from Melbourne, Rebecca decided to study while she was at home with Zac to ensure that she had some qualifications when she was ready to return to work. However, she wanted to ensure she also had the time to be at home with Zac throughout his early childhood.

"The fabulous support offered by the lecturers at CQUniversity allowed me to complete my studies easily and they were always there to help whenever I had any problems," said Rebecca.

"I started a degree in Tasmania when I left school and because it was so big and impersonal I didn't like it and dropped out. The small classes and personal attention you get at CQUniversity has been one of the reasons I have enjoyed my study and managed to finish this time around."

CQUniversity's Gladstone Campus marketing coordinator Sheryle Gherardi also studied while bringing up young children. 

"Over 20 years ago I began my distance education studies while I was at home with young children, I now have an MBA and have travelled all around the world with my career over the last few years," Sheryle said.

"Had I not continued my studies while I was at home with the children I would have found it very difficult to regain my career momentum when I returned to the workforce after a 5 year absence.

"It would have been fantastic to have had things like the internet and the flexible learning modes that they have now, and the support offered by the staff at CQUniversity Gladstone is exceptional; it would have made life so much easier back then," she said.

"It really isn't that difficult and the supports are there for anyone who wants to achieve to do so. Studying can also help the stay-at-home parent to retain that sense of identity that is so important when raising young children."