Destinee’s “life experience” degree

The story behind the new face of business at Avondale

Destinee Leo is good with numbers but not with money, so the accounting units she’s taking as part of the Bachelor of Business degree are helping. Learning to budget is just one of the challenges of moving away from home for the first time. “I’ve had to balance my study with my work so I can pay my rent.” Despite the impact of the COVID pandemic on the job market, Destinee found a job at a takeaway food store then as a receptionist at a retirement village. “I’m on a couple of days a week and try to make time for study whenever I’m free.” That’s been a little easier under lockdown. “My social life’s taken a bit of a backseat.”

The eldest of five siblings, Destinee is enjoying her independence. You become your own person, she says. “Yes, you make a few mistakes but that’s one of the ways you grow.” Family in Queensland, though, is never far from mind. “I’ve surprised myself how much I miss home.”

The support of new friends—“I have a great circle of people around me”—is an indication of what Destinee might do after graduation. She’s interested in helping young adults find work. Perhaps because it reflects her experience. Destinee completed a Certificate III in Business Administration while a trainee at Logan City Council. Her supervisor saw potential and gave Destinee more responsibility. “I edited reports and learnt a lot about development assessment plans.” She also became a dab hand at Microsoft Excel, “which is why I think I like accounting.” An added benefit? A lot of the examples her lecturer at Avondale used in the organisational behaviour unit were familiar. With a preference for on-the-job training, “I could more easily make the connection between the practice and the theory.”

Enrolling at Avondale surprised Destinee’s parents. “When they think of Avondale, they think of education, nursing and theology. And my sister is coming next year to study nursing. They didn’t know Avondale offered a business course.” Destinee had been studying at another university but found its size overwhelming. “I didn’t feel like I was getting the help I needed.” She is now enjoying the smaller class sizes. With that comes a closer connection with lecturers. “You get to build a relationship with them. And I find they’re always there to answer your questions.”