Lilly Jackson completed the Liberal Arts course at NMIT in 2008.

Course: Certificate IV in Liberal Arts (completed in 2008)

 

What were you doing before you decided to enrol in the course? / What encouraged you to enrol in the course?

Before Liberal Arts I had been working various part time-jobs since I’d left high school. Some were great places to work, but it was clear to me that I wasn’t interested in a retail career or working as a telemarketer permanently. When I was looking at courses in Personal Relations and Human Resources someone recommended that I have a look at Liberal Arts too. Liberal Arts was a completely foreign concept to me, but the more I found out the more it interested me. I researched the several institutes that offered the course and found that NMIT was best suited to my needs.

What are you doing now?

I’m studying a Bachelor of Laws/Arts at La Trobe University. I’ve just finished my second year of Arts and my first year of Law.

What was the most memorable thing about your studies at NMIT?

Many things. Not only was it the first time in many years that I’d experienced real challenge and achievement, but I also had the opportunity to develop and explore new interests and goals, as well as meeting a fantastic group of teachers and students.

In what ways did studying Liberal Arts at NMIT better prepare you for further study and / or employment?

I left school with a Year 10 education, which really stunted my intellectual growth, discipline and left me disillusioned. Liberal Arts introduced me to a new set of thinking, reading and writing skills that I use every day in university, which I see have specifically helped my learning and grades. Particularly for me, as a very shy and anxious person, I was previously very fearful of public speaking. Liberal Arts allowed me to develop skills in public speaking and presentation in a comfortable environment. As a law student I am expected to perform on a daily basis, and developing speaking skills – along with many others I learnt – are crucial to academic achievement.

In what ways has studying at NMIT changed your life for the better?

Liberal Arts truly opened the door for me intellectually, and also gave me so many opportunities, particularly as a pathway to further education. When I left high school I received no support regarding my future or goals, and it seemed impossible that I would ever pursue further education; the course and teachers at Liberal Arts encouraged me to achieve, and were an immeasurably positive influence in my life. Overall, the course was a great inspiration to me and a huge motivator in my life.

On a personal level, I feel that studying Liberal Arts gave me a renewed sense of self esteem and confidence, which were previously at extremely low levels. Not only did I learn many skills during the course, but my existing skills were also praised and encouraged to grow.