But for some, it’s only just the beginning.

Gabrielle Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Education and is now ready to help educate the world.

“I come from a family with a lot of kids and I had a cousin who was on the spectrum, so as I grew up I was surrounded by someone with a disability,” Miss Ryan said.

“After high school I took a gap year to figure out what I wanted to do.

“I wanted to focus on teaching so I took a traineeship at a special school and that cemented exactly what I wanted to do.”

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Gabrielle then spent the next four years undertaking aid work while studying.

All of her hard work and determination has helped Gabrielle gain employment at the Broadmeadows Special Development School. 

To celebrate the achievement she was accompanied by her friends, family and representatives from Kluwell Publications which provided Miss Ryan with a scholarship to assist her studies.

Kluwell Publications director Andrew Coldwell said he was excited to see Gabrielle graduate.

“To see all of Gabrielle’s hard work come to fruition is very exciting,” Mr Coldwell said.

“Gabrielle has always been very enthusiastic and is a great person.”