Studying at university can be a challenge and having the support of family and friends makes that challenge a little bit easier. 

First-year accounting student Fiona Dobbin not only has her family's support, she also gets to be her son Daniel's support while he takes on an engineering degree at CQUniversity Gladstone.

After working as a bookkeeper for many years, both for her own business and others, Fiona completed the STEPS preparatory program with an idea of doing further study.

L-R Fiona and Daniel Dobbin and Morgan Bennett have plenty of support as they commence their studies at CQUniversity in 2010

"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I started STEPS, but with the experience I have in bookkeeping doing accounting seemed to be logical," said Fiona.

Fiona's university experience through the STEPS program has already proven to be useful in helping Daniel with his enrolment.

A 3^rd-year electrical apprentice, Daniel wanted to improve his opportunities for advancement with a university degree.

"I would like to advance into supervisory or management roles one day and doing this should give me better opportunity for that," said Daniel.

The family connection to study doesn't end with Fiona and Daniel.  Daniel's brother is also commencing study in Brisbane this year.

Another link in the support chain for both Daniel and Fiona is Daniel's best mate Morgan Bennett who is also commencing studies in engineering in 2010.

An electrical apprentice also, Morgan has similar reasons for wanting to further his qualifications.

"I'd like to move off the tools eventually and move into other roles so study will help me do that," said Morgan.

Morgan isn't short of family support also with his sister Anthea , who is also Daniel's girlfriend,  undertaking postgraduate studies at CQUniversity.

Daniel, Fiona and Morgan all feel that they are likely to have greater job security with a tertiary degree behind them.

"It's good to be learning," said Fiona.