USC Moreton Bay students are ready to roll

It will be a special moment when lectures start at USC Moreton Bay in early 2020, and its significance is not lost on the first intake of students. We chat with a couple who are ready to roll.

USC Moreton Bay student Samantha Forte of Narangba is looking forward for starting at the new Petrie campus in 2020. Picture: Dominika Lis

IF Samantha Forte had her way, she’d start her degree at USC Moreton Bay tomorrow but for now she’s happy to wait until classes begin in February.

“I’m like, c’mon let’s get into it, I’m ready,” Samantha says.

“I’m so excited. It’s such an incredible offer. I have no words how good it is.”

The Narangba Valley State High School graduate will be student No. 18 when she turns up for her first day, and she knows hers is a special place in history.

Samantha has taken her time to decide what career she wants to pursue, trying a couple of full-time jobs before opting to work in her family’s business full-time.

Her parents have had Pizza Capers franchises at Kallangur and Strathpine for about five years, and Samantha has been a manager at the Kallangur outlet for the past year.

It was in that role the 20-year-old realised she had a passion for marketing and decided she’d love to study a Bachelor of Business, majoring in marketing.

Samantha’s hoping she can use what she learns in the family business, and plans to combine it with a one-day-a-week internship at Retail Food Group, where she’lll learn more about the business side of the company which owns brands including Pizza Capers, Brumby’s, and Donut King.

“My parents and I were talking about it and I would love to help with their business marketing, advertising and social media platforms. I enjoy being creative,” she says.

Samantha Forte will be studying at USC Moreton Bay. Picture: Lou O'Brien

The USC Moreton Bay campus at Petrie is just a short train ride from home, adding to the appeal.

When she was at school she never imagined she would one day be able to go to university so close to home. She thought she would have to commute to Brisbane.

“It’s so convenient and it definitely makes it easier to get to uni and want to get to uni,” Samantha says.

And she’s determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“Definitely in high school I didn’t focus very much. I kind of wasted it,” she says.

“Now, I’m doing something I really want to do and I know it’s important. I’m going to focus so hard.”

Samantha’s plan is to study full-time for the next three years, and she may even consider a double degree once she gets started.

She’s more excited than nervous about the first day, and is certain her fellow students will be feeling the same way.

“I’m excited to meet new people, people that are interested in the same things as me and to make lifelong friends,” she says.

Steven Benbrook will study Environmental Science at USC Moreton Bay Campus. Picture: Lou O'Brien

STEVEN BENBROOK – Griffin

A registered nurse who commuted up to three hours a day to get his university degree in Sydney while living in Gosford has jumped at the chance to study another passion at USC Moreton Bay – just 10 minutes’ drive from his home at Griffin.

Steven Benbrook, 23, has received an early offer to study a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the Petrie campus in Semester 1, 2020.

“I’ve always been interested in the environment and wildlife, but I was accepted into nursing straight from high school in Gosford so I completed that and started working,” Steven explains.

“Now, I’m part-time and I have the opportunity to challenge myself and get another degree. With two degrees, I can fulfil my passion for the environment as well as for people.”

Steven says he applied to other universities last year, but turned down an offer after he learned USC would be opening its Moreton Bay campus.

“I’d heard about the university’s reputation for being warm and accepting, and I had friends at USC on the Sunny Coast, so I felt it would work out better if I waited a year until Moreton Bay was open.

“And it’s worked out fantastically. I’m really interested in the course content and I’ll be able to attend lectures and study in the library and enjoy campus life, while still working part-time at the hospitals at Caboolture and Chermside.

“Because I’m relatively new to Queensland, I’m also excited about forming friendships with people who have similar interests and are motivated about going to uni.”

Steven, who has volunteered at a wildlife hospital and the RSPCA, says he hopes to work on conservation programs, possibly in local government, while continuing his nursing career.