How to open the doors you never knew existed

It’s time to remove the roadblocks to study, and start work towards a brilliant new career.

Western Sydney University Parramatta City campus

Brought to you by Western Sydney University

Marisa Pacho wrestled with her decision until the last moment.

The then 37-year-old single mum from Campbelltown in Western Sydney knew she wanted to further her career, but was realistic about the immediate financial reality of stepping away from a permanent job.

“There was an internal battle - there was a lot of back and forth in this decision, as I knew that it would be difficult financially. Even as I handed in my resignation I thought - what am I doing?” she said.

Ms Pacho had spent the previous decade working for an NGO in inner Sydney. She loved the work, and was helping disadvantaged women and children achieve their dreams through study. She realised it was the secret to opening career opportunities, and a new life many of them couldn’t have imagined.

“I thought a lot of this work I’m doing is advocating for education - but it wasn’t something that I had completed. So I felt a little hypocrisy - I was offering people opportunities to become self-sufficient, but I was stuck without anywhere to go.”

She knew it was time to make the leap herself.

CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE

After quitting her job, Ms Pacho enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Science at Western Sydney University, and suddenly she was the person searching for support and guidance.

“At my very first lecture, there were about 200 students, and they all had devices. And I had a notepad and pen. Everything was Apple or Lenovo and I was like ‘oh my God’.”

Stepping out of her comfort zone, she reached out to other students for support, which eventually led to a strong network of people who helped her thrive.

Her drive to do well in her course saw Ms Pacho join the university’s Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) program — a service she now refers students to for support.

It was this experience that led to Ms Pacho becoming a Western Success Advisor, a job she began at the beginning of this year, shortly after graduating.

Western Sydney University graduate Marisa Pacho

WHY STUDENTS THRIVE WITH EXTRA SUPPORT

She said the role is about building a strong relationship with students, and helping them connect with the people and services that will see them succeed. She’s particularly interested in working with students who might not have had the opportunity to study before - and wants the program to show them that they can achieve their goals.

“We are like a go-to for students. There are a lot of services within the uni that students can access. But our aim is to give them a level of continuity. We help them academically and personally to achieve their goals.” 

She said her relationship with each student she works with varies according to that individual person’s needs.

“It might be accommodation support. Or help with assignments. We can guide them with information and connect them to services.”

“We also offer tailored support, including referrals to our Welfare services and help with accessing our Student Assistance Fund” (this is designed to help students impacted by the pandemic).

She said while she always looks to connect students with specialists they might need (e.g. Counselling, Welfare or academics), the continuous, trusting nature of her relationship with them means she is often the first person they turn to.

“A lot of the times because you have built that relationship, they will share. The disclosures can be quite intense. We offer a listening ear and as much support as we can, and then refer them to additional professional support.”

Of course, she is also there to assist each student academically, which has been especially challenging in 2020, with the COVID lockdown.

Ms Pacho said she has been particularly conscious about the needs of first-year students in this extraordinary time.

“They had looked forward to coming to uni for such a long time. They were able to be on campus for a short amount of time before we all went into lockdown. The idea of studying from home really challenged them. Trying to get motivated was difficult.”

She said many students found the challenges COVID presented difficult but remained resilient.

“When I first spoke to them they just cried and cried. And they couldn’t believe that someone would check in on them — this went a long way to helping students stay motivated.”

She said while she knew she couldn’t “fix everything” in one phone call, she was able to help focus the student, and guide them towards the academic help they needed.

Life at Western Sydney University’s Liverpool Campus

WESTERN GROWTH INITIATIVE

With the university spanning 11 campuses, Ms Pacho is hopeful there can be a long-term shift in opportunities, including in the Western Sydney region.

“For me personally, it gives people hope. We may be from Greater Sydney but we’re still very capable. The brains that exist within this community can do so much to help. It’s a university that’s for the people.”

She said she’s proud Western Sydney University caters to so many people who are the first in their family to attend a tertiary institution.

The university is working hard to transform the region, through its Western Growth initiative.

The program is reshaping the University’s campus network and co-creating cities and infrastructure across Western Sydney – providing the highest-quality learning opportunities, world-class facilities and research expertise for the region. This is being done in partnership with government and industry, to boost the region’s economy and liveability.

She said that mission is transforming lives for people on the ground. 

“It’s almost like you’ve got this plant you’re helping to grow. Despite all the obstacles, whether that’s personal or academic, we know they'll be supported regardless.”

Brought to you by Western Sydney University.