Hobson's choice leads to passion

LISA Pekez was not even remotely interested in information technology when studying during her final years at school.

LISA Pekez was not even remotely interested in information technology when studying during her final years at school.

The 26-year-old wanted to be an architect, but a "little hurdle" changed her life.

Pekez was diagnosed with leukemia.

She was unable to finish school and spent two years in and out of hospital.

Frustrated with not being able to study, Pekez searched long and hard for a TAFE course she could do by correspondence and IT was the only one on offer.

That decision to enrol in the IT course through TAFE at Victoria University uncovered her passion for IT and led to a student-of-the-year award before she transferred to a bachelor of business information systems.

Now the 26-year-old is working in IT for Victoria University.

"I have been here for five years," she says.

"I am part of the furniture. I would have not got where I am today if it wasn't for that little hurdle in my life."

Pekez says she felt more prepared going into university after doing a TAFE course and has more practical knowledge about how computers work.

"Going into university from TAFE, I had a better understanding of computers than the students that were going in straight from school," she told the HES.

"I never felt like I was behind anyone else."

Ms Pekez says she loves working in IT. "It is an industry that is constantly changing.

"It is never going to be boring because I am dealing with so many different areas and streams."