Student stories
Combining courses for success: Meet Naathan
Having just graduated from Darwin High School, ambitious all-rounder and tech extraordinaire Naathan is studying a multitude of IT courses on offer at Charles Darwin University. He hopes to one day start an app development company.
Naathan was lucky enough to attend a high school that strongly encouraged Year 11 and Year 12 students to take vocational training courses available to them through CDU to count toward their academic credits. CDU TAFE was just the beginning of Naathan’s exciting and varied tertiary study journey.
Getting a head start
During Year 11, he started a Certificate II in Business and never looked back. Gaining practical skills from CDU at such an early age opened up Naathan’s mind to future study. Naathan enjoyed the independence of university study that was not offered at high school, encouraging him to explore his future study interests.
Fast forward a few years and he’s combining the best of vocational training and higher education: he’s studying a Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours, alongside a Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology.
“Both courses provide me with a unique perspective on the technology that drives today’s society," he says.
I enjoy the hands-on perspective of the vocational training course and the complex theory involved in my bachelor’s degree.
“I’m learning useful skills to complete a wide range of tasks and technical functions. Studying has helped me to clarify what I want to do with my future. I would love the opportunity to start my own company, ideally within the app development and software space. I feel this would be truly unique in Darwin, helping to benefit the community.”
Always learning
“I believe in lifelong learning. Technology and the constant advancement within the industry allow me to stay interested and up to date.”
"I chose CDU because it offered my first choice in courses and meant I could stay close to home," says Naathan.
"While I’m studying online, I still make the most of the campus and campus life. I often use the on-campus option as an opportunity to catch up with my mates and study as a group."
I believe everyone should hunt for something that they enjoy and choose to study that!
"It might be tough but putting in the hard work and living a life you love will become easy.”
Start or advance your career with a course in IT at Charles Darwin University. Explore courses today.
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