As a young mother, Sherrin Farmer remembers rollerblading to McDonald's with 2 kids in tow and laptop over her shoulder, to get some time to focus her university studies.

Thanks to icecreams and playground time for the kids - and an all-year-round study program - she was able to graduate with a double degree (Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Education) after only 3 years. LINK HERE to see and hear Sherrin talk about her career

Sherrin Farmer on site at Port Hedland

Sherrin actually started her career in the Navy, aboard the hydrographic survey ship HMAS Moresby off the coast of Western Australia.

After leaving the Navy, she explored her options and found that CQUniversity had a good reputation for distance education and flexible delivery.

Sherrin started her studies by distance from Western Australia but then came to Rockhampton for 2 years of on-campus interaction. She was able to supplement her income by working for COIN, a University-City Council computer training academy in the city.

Now based back in Western Australia, Sherrin is a Business Systems Trainer for BHP Iron Ore and services mines spread over a huge area in the north-west of the State.

Some of her mine sites are within a few hours' drive from each other, but she sometimes catches a light aircraft to get to work.

Sherrin with her work colleagues

Sherrin says she really loves her job, which combines elements of both her degrees as well as experience with the COIN academy.

She should have a bright future as BHP is in the process of upgrading its business systems so they will be uniform across all of its worldwide operations.