Former Salesman Drops Commission for a New Mission Central Queensland University (CQU) Phd candidate Steve Millan is "sold" on his mid-life career change, though even he admits he did not imagine where his study would lead.

Five years ago, Millan traded in his 20-year career in sales to hit the books and concentrate on computer education. "Anyone who has done commission sales will know that one week you are rich and the next you might make nothing. It's very up and down. My family was quite tired of it too," said Millan, a Rockhampton father of three.

He enrolled in STEPS at CQU, a bridging program that teaches mature-age students the skills needed to successfully undertake tertiary study.

"The course prepares you very well for what is to come," Millan said, surprised at where his study has taken him.

"I enrolled in education because I researched job opportunities and knew that with maths and computing subjects that I would have a very good chance of getting a job when I finished. I didn't want to go to university just for the sake of getting a degree.

Millan had not even turned on a computer before enrolling in STEPS. In fact, the first computer he bought was to finish the assignments for the course. Initially, the transition to full-time study "very hard" but support from his family and his early study success proved encouraging.

"I think now I have the best of both worlds. I am working closely with students and schools involved with the research. I'm also looking at ways to improve the system by encouraging more female students from primary school right through to tertiary level to become involved in computing." As part of his Bachelors of Education (Secondary), Millan completed Honours studies researching the way students use computers in CQ schools. He discovered that girls find computer subjects "boring". While his research was CQ-based, supportive research showed the problem to be part of a global trend.

Offered a scholarship to expand on the, Millan will work full time over the next three years examining ways to encourage female participation in computer sciences.

"Women still only make up a very small percentage of those involved in the design and implementation of new technologies and it is vital that we find ways to encourage more participation. We all stand to benefit from encouraging more female involvement in this field. How much better would technology be today if women had been more involved in the development or our technologies?" –END – Steve Millan is available for immediate interview. A photograph is available. For details phone Ayesha Gottschleigh at CQU Community Relations on 07 4923 2506.