Two of La Trobe University's newest graduates are taking on fresh career paths.
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Mature-age students Andrew Page and Will Bakes took on the urban, rural and environmental planning course after working as tradesmen.
For Andrew, a qualified electrician, it was a chance to challenge himself and follow his passion for planning.
"My first career was an electrician but I always wanted to go to uni," he said. "I had an interest in planning but didn't think I would make it through university as an 18-year-old bloke.
"But it got to a point where I had had enough of the electrical industry, the admin side was getting the better of me and I thought I should give uni a shot. Now here we are."
Will's path to his new degree came after pursuing music and working on building sites over a number of years.
"Many years ago I did the majority of music degree at Melbourne University but it never made me much money," he said. "Then I did building and bricklaying but my back got bad and I needed to reconsider what I was doing."
Both students crossed the stage as degree-holders on Wednesday and will now take up full-time jobs.
La Trobe University graduations 2019
Will said the aspect of studying art a regional university had its perks.
"You get a side of urban planning that others at RMIT or Melbourne University won't get," he said. "There are aspects that aren't based in Melbourne like rural communities facing growth and revitalising economies that have ageing populations."
Andrew is working for Wilby Building in Bendigo while Will has taken a role with the Victorian Planning Authority.
"(Holding this degree) is a good feeling. I didn't think I would get here," he said. "In high school I wasn't the hardest working student, so the first couple of years of university were hard. But I found it easier as we went along. Being passionate about (planning) makes it something you want to get done.
"When I was an electrical apprentice, I didn't think I would be getting a university degree. So this is a big achievement."
For other potential students considering a return to tertiary study, Will said it was worth the hard work.
"I would just say go for it," he said. "It can seem daunting but I reckon if you put you're head down and do good work, the rewards come."
Andrew agreed, saying despite daunting aspects it was rewarding.
"If you think can do it, you probably can," he said. "If anyone is considering (mature-age study) a day like this makes it all worthwhile."
Students urged to savour the graduation moment
The message to La Trobe University students who graduated today was savour the moment as a special milestone in their lives.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank managing director Marnie Baker spoke to the students before they received their degrees, recounting her journey to La Trobe and Bendigo.
"I was a young, slightly naive country girl from a small farming community who came to big city Bendigo to study. I fell in love with the city."
Ms Baker spoke of the sliding door moment she chose to pursue accounting.
"For a long time I dreamed of being a primary teacher. But (at the time) there was an oversupply of teachers," she said. "On a spur of the moment, I thought accountants make money, so my first preference was to do accounting."
As students graduated, Ms Baker asked them to stay true to themselves.
"Understand your values and underline your career path with those values."
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