Business Profile - SEEK Learning Australia

Balancing Study and Family

Cathryn Hibbert, Certificate IV in Business (Human Resources)

At home with her four kids for the past few years (with ages ranging from one year old up to nine years old), Cathryn Hibbert realised that the time was fast approaching when she'd want to return to the workforce. Having previously worked in administrative roles, including office management, she felt that - to get an advantage - some extra study would be beneficial.

Despite having not studied since high school, Cathryn took on the Certificate IV in Business (Human Resources) through SEEK Learning.

Career Questions:

How did you go with the course?
Has the course been useful?
Having not studied since high school, what was it like returning to study after so long?
What was it like studying online?
Have you got the study bug now?

How did you go with the course?

Really good! I did the certificate from home over two years, which gave me lots of flexibility. I've got a disability, so sometimes I wouldn't do much work and other times I'd get lots done in one go. But I got it all done, and got good grades, which I was pretty happy with!

Has the course been useful?

I'm not using it directly in an office at the moment, because I'm still home with my kids, but I've just started running my own business from home, and lots of what I learned is coming into it: admin, policies and procedures...that sort of thing. I'm making craft items and selling them online. I've also helped out a bit at my husband's business with some HR policies and advice.

My little business is just to keep me going until the kids are in school, then I'll be looking to get a good HR job, and get a career going.

Having not studied since high school, what was it like returning to study after so long?

It was actually pretty good; I really enjoyed it. I put a lot of work into my assignments - I didn't have any dramas with them - and it was really great getting them back in the mail and getting good grades.

What was it like studying online?

Some bits were harder than others, but with the internet now there's just so much information available. There were some classroom tutorials but we'd moved away, so I didn't get to any of them. But the tutors were great on the phone and on email. They helped me out a lot. They were really good.

Have you got the study bug now?

Yes! I'm doing a Certificate III in Business Admin this year and then I'll do another one after that. I'll just keep going. Having worked for a while, I already know a lot of the stuff I'm learning; it's just good getting it on paper.