After 30 years
working as a
chartered accountant,
USQ student Camilla
knew it was time for
a change.
Before she started study, Camilla was concerned about the
distance and time difference between Australia and South
Africa (Australia is 8 hours ahead). She has discovered that
studying online means that the time distance doesn’t matter…
as long as she remembers to submit assignments by 4 in the
afternoon of the due date, she’ll meet the Australian deadline!
Camilla’s job is demanding and she describes night time as her
‘oasis of calm’, when she can immerse herself in studying for
her Masters of Editing and Publishing degree.
Camilla is a mother, grandmother, works
and studies full-time and is the honorary
treasurer for a children’s hospital in South
Africa, where she lives. In the past, she has
worked as an auditor and a lecturer, but
for the past 18 years she has worked as a
forensic accountant, investigating fraud,
corruption and corporate crime. She continues
to work full-time and is a partner in a ‘big 4’
accounting firm.
‘Despite having long and stressful days, I find that I am so
invigorated when getting into an assignment or some research
that I tend to stay awake too late and then battle to go to sleep.’
Camilla made the decision to continue working while
she studied for financial reasons, and sees her second
career (starting her own digital publishing business) as her
‘retirement’ plan. She maintains a healthy work-life balance
by being disciplined and making sure she leaves the office at
a reasonable hour so that she has time to study. While she
regrets not being able to spend as much time with family and
friends as she would like, she reminds herself that it will only
be for a short time and the end result will be totally worth it!