While Jim was safe and secure in his field and making good money, he was driven to explore a different field entirely. The global shift towards all things digital/cyber intrigued him, so after doing his research and speaking to his family, Jim enrolled to study a Bachelor of Information Technology, Network and Cybersecurity Systems at Flinders.
“It was a hard decision. I've got kids, and my wife and I talked about it for six months. The fear of not earning as much as we were earning was a concern. But everything worked out. I’ve kept working while I'm doing uni, as a consultant.”
Jim’s story is not unique. Many students continue to work in their current fields while they either upskill or develop new skills. Flinders offers a range of online and on-campus study options to make sure you can fit your study around your work and lifestyle commitments.
The right support can make the difference
Jim not only has the support of his family, Flinders offers a range of support options that have helped him in his studies, from study support to career advice. Since making the decision to return to study, Jim’s gone from strength to strength, and is already making inroads in his new field of cybersecurity, working with a government department in a position that came through one of his topic coordinators.
Jim is happy and thriving in both his studies and his work life, with a new career direction that he’s excited about exploring.
“I think it's the fearlessness in me, believing that what's happening around the world… that shift of things to cyber is going to be big. It’s going to be the way things are done.”
