CQU Mackay celebrated an inspirational graduation of 40 STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) students, on Wednesday night in the Cook Lecture theatre.

About 200 family and friends, distinguished guests, community members and staff of CQU helped the new graduates celebrate their milestone and wished them well in their further tertiary studies.

Adam Porter, the former editor of 'Wheels' magazine, turned his life around through STEPS and is now about to embark on a career as a Primary School Teacher

Former Wheels magazine editor, soon-to-be Primary school teacher and 2003 graduate of the CQU Mackay STEPS program, Adam Porter flew from Canberra as the guest speaker of the evening.

Adam's journey, like that of most STEPS students, was quite a unique one.  Adam's core responsibility in his position of Editor of Wheels car magazine, was to test drive and report on the most expensive and fastest cars in the world - what most Aussie blokes would consider a ‘dream job'. 

Yet one day, after test driving a $2 million car at 300km per hour on an open track, Adam found himself pondering the need for a career change but was uncertain as to what.

Like many soul-searchers, Adam embarked on some travels overseas.  After a visit with his sister's family in the United States, Adam found himself spending time with his 2-year-old nephew, helping expand his then limited vocabulary using flash cards. 

The time spent with his nephew gave him the idea to become a Primary school teacher.   However, Adam was hesitant, wondered how to get into university and doubted if he would even succeed, having never completed any tertiary studies.

After some research, Adam found his way to CQU Mackay, enrolled in the STEPS program and is now in his final year of becoming a fully-qualified Primary school teacher. 

"I still love cars but after having completed placements from pre-school to year 3, I realise the moral obligation of assisting in a young person's life far outweighs the thrill of going 300km per hour in a hot car," said Adam.

Head of Campus, Dr Trevor Davison said he felt an affinity with the STEPS students.

Susan Hinds and study buddy Davina Cooke, are planning to take up tertiary study at CQU Mackay in the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood) respectively after completing the STEPS program in 2007 

"Like many of the STEPS students, I finished high school in year 10 and didn't start tertiary studies until I was 28 when my wife and I had a 2-year-old baby," said Dr Davison.

According to Lyn Forbes-Smith, STEPS coordinator at CQU Mackay, Trevor and Adam's stories highlight the truth in the statement that  "it's never too late to be what you want to be".

STEPS can be completed in accelerated mode (12 weeks), extended mode (24 weeks) or external. The next intake of students will begin on November 16 through to February 8.  For further information on STEPS, please phone 4940 7416.

Mother-daughter team, Amy and Debra Carroll helped each other through the tough days of study in their STEPS program and will now embark on tertiary studies. Amy plans to focus on Creative Industries while Debra, a former nurse is looking towards a further career in Health.
Steve McDonald celebrated with his mother Pauline after completing the STEPS program