Student Profile

Fiona Granville - Certificate II in Information Technology

In 2003 Fiona Granville decided to update her skills with a view to finding a job after eight years as a full-time mother. She wanted to broaden her horizons and give herself confidence. She says 'Microsoft applications were only just being introduced as I left work in 1995'.

TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute had the perfect course for me, the Certificate II in Information Technology, which aimed at getting women back into the workforce. The course ran three days a week between 9.30am and 2.30pm, which was ideal for mums with school-age children. 'We covered a lot of ground and it was all really useful. We had a lot of fun and it was great to have the opportunity to look at networking and hardware too.'

After having a break Fiona commenced the Certificate III in Information Technology. Halfway through the course she got a part-time job. She says 'One of TAFE NSW's great strengths is the flexibility. There was one core subject I couldn't complete at the time due to work commitments. Six months later the timing was right and I was able to finish my Certificate III.'

Fiona received a TAFE NSW State Medal Award in 2006 for her studies in 2005 achieving the highest mark in the Certificate III in Information Technology (Network Administration).

Fiona would recommend studying Information Technology to anyone who has an interest in computers and especially to women who want to work in an office environment. 'If you have the motivation to finish the course you will definitely move on to bigger and better things professionally'.