Why the right study option might not be the most obvious

When Tracey wanted to help her studious and academic daughter find the right tertiary education for her, the left field option proved best.

Emma-Jane Henry

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Emma-Jane Henry was always an ‘academic’ kid. She topped classes and was accepted into a selective school but as Year 12 approached, the idea of tertiary study made her nervous. “We looked at a number of universities,” her mum Tracey Henry said. “But she is introverted in nature, and she wasn’t comfortable with the bigger areas.”

It wasn’t only the size of the institution that concerned her. As a creative kid, she was much more drawn to hands on ways of learning rather than courses focused on theory. But the pressure to study something ‘prestigious’ remained. “Her friends all went on to be doctors or lawyers. She copped a lot of flack for looking at something in a non academic field.”

KNOW WHAT WILL SUIT YOUR CHILD  

But Tracey wanted what was best for her daughter. She knew, like many parents of school leavers, that she was a key influence in helping her daughter decide her future. She wanted to help her choose something that was truly going to make her happy. 

Emma had adored her work experience at a design firm, and then completed a Cert III of Design as part of her HSC. “She topped that class, and from there she was sure design was what she wanted to do.”

The family looked hard for the right design degree that would suit their hard working and creative daughter. “We came to TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore and straight away she was comfortable. It’s a lot more hands on than the courses at uni. There’s an emphasis on practical skills. It helps with job preparedness.”

Knowing first hand the pressure on parents and their children to choose the ‘right’ career path, Tracey said she believes parents should really focus on their child’s key strengths, and rely on guides such as the TAFE NSW Parent and Caregiver information guide to help them take the guesswork out of course selection.

Emma-Jane Henry

Tracey said that “within weeks” of starting her Bachelor of Design at TAFE NSW, Emma knew she had made the right choice. “It was easier for her to make friends because the group sizes were much smaller.” The smaller size also meant Emma had direct access to teachers that were still working in the field.

“You’re designing for five years in the future, so teachers need on the ground up to date knowledge. They were very reassuring and told her ‘If I can do this for a living you can too.’”

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

During her studies Emma landed an internship at a design firm, which turned into a part time job. Since she graduated she’s now working full time at the same firm as a mid-level designer, which is a huge achievement for someone less than two years out of tertiary school.

“She has a great mentor there,” Tracey said. “She is currently helping design a big golf club down at Batemans Bay. She’s pretty incredible. I’ve got a lot to live up to.” And there’s the twist: Tracey is now studying the same course that Emma graduated from.

A SECOND CHANCE AT A GREAT CAREER

Early last year Tracey was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news came as a shock, she had only been screened after her sister was diagnosed, who encouraged her to get a check up. “I’m fine now, but part of my treatment was having lymph nodes removed. My doctor advised that any repetitive motion could bring on Lymphoedema.”

That meant she could no longer return to work as a cake decorator, a job that involved a lot of manual labour. In her late 40s, she had a choice to make: what to do with the rest of her life. 

It was at this point Emma suggested that she might enjoy the design degree that she had recently completed. “She said ‘this is your second chance. Go do it.’” Tracey did have reservations though. Besides a sense of self doubt - “I never thought I would have the skills to do university” - she was conscious about not living in her daughter’s shadow.

“I actually did go to the open days at one of the larger universities. But they were quite ageist. They basically told me I wouldn’t fit in because I was too old.” So she took the leap, and enrolled in the Bachelor of Design, where she is now affectionately known as “TAFE mum.”

Tracey Henry

MORE THAN A PASSION

While she admits it is odd being shown examples of her daughter’s work in class, Tracey feels she is well suited to the field. She had spent decades enjoying the DIY work of improving her own home. At one stage she even hand painted vines on the walls and ceilings of Emma’s bedroom when, aged 7, she had asked for a “wild” theme.

Putting those skills into a broader context at TAFE NSW has shown she can carve a career out of something she long thought was just a passion. “You realise you’re capable, and you’re able to do these things when you’re about to turn 50. It’s a real confidence booster.”

Speaking just hours after she had completed her final presentation for her first year assessment, Tracey was positive about her future. “I just love being out and doing something for myself. After 30 years in the workforce I love using my brain again.”

She said she hopes there’ll be a day when she can work with Emma. “Emma and I think very similarly. If we could find a firm that would take on a mother-daughter team we’d be brilliant.”

If you are currently navigating what life after high school looks like for your child or the various pathways available, download the TAFE NSW Parent and Caregiver information guide

Originally published as Why the right study option might not be the most obvious