Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a major Australian university with a truly global outlook. Home to nearly 50,000 students, we’re providing real-world infrastructure, learning, and teaching, and graduate skills to the next generation of change-makers. Find out below why you should make QUT your first choice for a real-world education, hearing from one of their notable alumni’s
David Ashby reckons he was born to be a teacher … it just took him a while to figure it out. Coming from a trade background, David made the most of free learning support to build his study confidence and thrive in his education degree. QUT helped him secure his first teaching job before he graduated.
With a background in construction, mechanics, and sales, he’d always been interested in learning, knowing how things worked and were made, and understanding how people thought. But it wasn’t until six years ago that he realised those skills, coupled with a desire for a more rewarding job, were the perfect ingredients for switching careers to teaching. It’s completely fitting that his non-traditional career path has now led him to an innovative, future-focussed school.
The QUT Bachelor of Education graduate is one of only six teachers to land exciting jobs at Queensland’s first “vertical” high school – the new seven-storey Fortitude Valley State Secondary College. He’s also the face of the latest QUT campaign to encourage others to take up teaching.
The Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, which was developed in conjunction with QUT, opened in January this year with 138 Year 7 students and will have around 1500 students and a full complement of grades by 2025. The college’s students engage with the Australian Curriculum through six courses that align with the school’s vision to create a community of agile learners who are bold, resilient and kind.
“I love that my role enables me to challenge the way education looks and that I am supported to try new and exciting ways of teaching. And I like the opportunity to work in the inner city in such a vibrant suburb – there’s always somewhere nice to go out and the staff are very social.”
David graduated from QUT with his teaching degree in 2017 and his first job at a Brisbane primary school included a STEM role (science, technology, engineering and maths). Many people think of changing careers, but not everyone has the courage to do it.
You want expansive opportunities for practical learning, valuable connections with industry leaders, and enriching opportunities for global learning – that’s why you should be choosing QUT.
