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Shardae Found Her True Passion at TAFE Queensland
Shardae's journey with TAFE Queensland began while she was still in high school when she took her first step into animal studies through the TAFE in Schools program.
What started as a Certificate II in Animal Care (ACM20121) at TAFE Queensland’s Grovely campus has since blossomed into a rewarding career path, all thanks to the guidance and support of her excellent teachers at TAFE Queensland.
“I began my journey of studying with a love for animals, a desire to work in a team, and an interest in enhancing animal welfare, conservation, and rehabilitation,” said Shardae.
“Thanks to TAFE Queensland, I learnt the skills to care for domestic animals through captive animals in zoos, wildlife parks and aquariums, and I turned my love for animals into my job at a young age.”
From the beginning, Shardae’s teachers recognised her passion and pointed her in the direction they knew she would love.
Her teachers provided hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities, giving her the skills and confidence to pursue her dreams.
“They weren’t just educators but mentors who inspired and motivated me to continue studying animal care and enhance my skills further,” Shardae said.
After her Cert II, Shardae completed her Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care (ACM30321) at TAFE Queensland’s Loganlea campus, where she desired to make a difference in wildlife conservation.
“I chose to study the cert III because I wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of animals and improve the environment, and this course pointed me in the right direction to show me how I can do that.”
“It opened many other doors for me, and there were units in my course that taught me how much I loved designing enclosures and educating the public about wildlife.”
But it wasn’t just about the learning experience but also about the people for Shardae, who formed lifelong friendships with her classmates, who were just as passionate about making a difference as she was.
“The support and camaraderie I found at TAFE Queensland were unlike anything I had ever experienced. In high school, I failed English because I was too scared of my speech.”
“Now, I’ve improved so much as a person because of my TAFE Queensland course, teachers, and classmates.”
“I was never really supported throughout high school, but the support I got at TAFE Queensland has been endless. I found a community that believed in me and helped me grow as a person and a professional,” she said.
Shardae’s journey doesn’t end here. She’s now looking forward to continuing her studies, having enrolled in a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418).
With the skills and knowledge she has gained, Shardae is now well-equipped to care for animals, impacting wildlife conservation and improving their environment significantly.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the opportunities that TAFE Queensland provides students, from high school to their chosen careers.
“Thanks to the dedicated teachers, industry-standard facilities, and the supportive community at TAFE Queensland, I’ve found my true calling, a love of studying, and I’m prepared and confident to take the next step in my journey,” concluded Shardae.