Launching a new career
Cherie Martin spent 13 years up in the air as a flight attendant. Looking for a new challenge, she decided to come back down to earth to pursue a Bachelor of Midwifery. With three kids of her own to support, and a part-time job to squeeze in as well, this soon-to-be midwife is more than ready for her new life welcoming new lives to the world.
“Becoming a midwife was always in the back of my mind, but I never, ever thought I’d go to university or do any kind of formal study,” said Cherie. “I just didn’t think I was academically minded.”
Before enrolling in a Bachelor of Midwifery, Cherie was a busy mum of three working for Virgin Australia for 13 years.
“It was a great company, lots of fun, and I got to travel all over the country,” she said. “But I was ready for something else. I thought I’d apply for the degree and just see what happened, so I was really shocked when I got in.”
Finding her feet
Cherie admits her studies got off to a shaky start. “It was incredibly daunting and overwhelming at first."
"I was in my late thirties and I hadn’t written an essay for more than 20 years. I was told I had to do this thing called ‘referencing’ and I had no idea what that even meant.”
Throwing herself into the deep end turned out to be her best move, and Cherie quickly became determined to take advantage of every opportunity.
“I was that student – in the front row of every lecture and I couldn’t type my notes fast enough. I never missed a class and I’d go home at night and go over my notes again,” she said.
“I was really forthright with everything and everyone. I introduced myself to all of my lecturers and tutors to put a face to a name. I also went to all of the free academic skills sessions on campus – I learnt how to write essays and how to improve my study skills.”
Showing off
With three young kids of her own, dedicating her spare nights and weekends to her studies wasn’t easy for Cherie.
“As a mum and a mature student, I put extra pressure on myself. I put my whole family through this and it meant being selfish and taking time away from them."
