JCU GRADUATION GRADS FREE TO
SUCCESSFUL Cairns students from the fields of health, fitness and psychology have set out into the world with a degree in hand and a bright future ahead.
Yesterday’s James Cook University graduation ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre marked the beginning of 272 burgeoning careers in dentistry, nursing, psychology, sport and exercise science and related fields.
Dean of the College of Medicine and Dentistry Professor Richard Murray said career opportunities were on the climb for health-related fields in the Far North.
“The fantastic news for our graduates is they have extraordinary employment outcomes in highly needed careers,” he said.
“Health in the Far North is a priority, particularly in the rural and remote communities.
“Our dentistry program is
Check out the graduation photo gallery at cairnspost.com.au particularly well regarded by employers, and just about all of our graduates head straight out into employment.”
Figures from Conus have shown jobs in the healthcare sector grew 42 per cent in the past decade (to February 2019), and is projected to remain strong.
While many of JCU’s 2019 health grads will be pleased to know they’re entering a stable field, others have their own reasons for picking the path they did.
One such graduate, Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science graduate Isabel Fernandez, will use her degree to pursue study into the effects of scoliosis on health and fitness, which she and several members of her family have.
Ms Fernandez will start work next year as a personal trainer, with plans to go further into a Masters of Exercise Physiology specialising in working with people with chronic disease.
“Being healthy and active is a big part of maintaining a healthy spine and my focus in going to uni was to provide relief to people with other spinal conditions,” she said.
“I have a passion for exercise and the health benefits behind it and I want to share that with other people.”
Bachelor of Psychology graduate Mark Patching will use his qualification to work as a counsellor while undertaking postgraduate study.
A Martu man from the Western Desert, Mr Patching came to Mareeba with his family to study while pursuing a career in youth services.
“My focus is on working to improve the wellbeing and health of indigenous people,” he said. “I thought the best way to do that was to become a psychologist, so I came here.”
Also drawn to the student life in the Far North was dentistry graduate Fraser Lyon, who moved up five years ago from Tasmania to do his studies in the tropics.
While he has already started putting out applications for jobs, Mr Lyon said he hoped he’d be able to stay in Cairns to pursue his dentistry career.
“It’s a bit of a funny feeling to know it’s all over,” he said.
“I don’t really mind where I end up, but I would love to stay in Cairns for a little bit longer.
“Now it’s time to start looking for the next chapter in my life.”