Distinct career goals (Japanese interpreter and midwife respectively) have inspired Alicia and Christie Moore (pictured) to undertake study as STEPS students at CQU Bundaberg.

STEPS is Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies.

Alicia Moore had not seriously considered university as an option when she completed high school last year, but changed her mind after speaking with her parents - both STEPS graduates and currently doing their degrees at CQU Bundaberg.

"My school results weren't what they could have been, but my parents both gained a lot from doing STEPS and I think it's the right decision for me," Ms Moore said.

"I'm really looking forward to getting into the work and meeting the lecturers. Everyone's so positive - I know I'll learn a lot from my fellow students - people I wouldn't normally meet in the course of my daily life," she said.

"I'd like to do a language degree next year - a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Japanese".

Sisters take on STEPS together

Christie Moore balances her work in a pharmacy with being the sole parent of 3 children, but knows that to realise her dream of becoming a midwife, she will need to complete a degree.

"I've gone as far as I can with my job and have wanted to be a midwife since my eldest son was born," she said.

"STEPS seemed the perfect link because I've been out of the education loop for so long.

"Orientation was fantastic - there's such a huge range of people from diverse backgrounds.

"Everyone feeds off each other - there's so much support from fellow students and the university staff - it's a real boost for my confidence," she said.

STEPS Orientation was recently held over 2 days and focuses on orientation to the place and people involved in the STEPS journey as well as to courses and the philosophy of the program.

The student quota for STEPS has been met for Term 1.