A Glenwood local has fast-tracked her way to university after she was diagnosed with a medical condition in her final year of high school, which prevented her from completing the HSC. 

Harini Prabhu, 19, (pictured right) was due to complete year 12 at Glenwood High School last year but medical appointments took priority and she had to withdraw from school. 

When she heard about the TAFE NSW Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation, which prepares students for higher education by developing the technical, social and academic skills needed to graduate with a Tertiary Entrance Score (TES) as opposed to an ATAR, she jumped at the opportunity.

Fast forward 12 months and Harini is in her first semester of university studying a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Bachelor of Applied Finance.

Harini said, “I didn’t want to repeat year 12 so the Tertiary Preparation Certificate was the perfect option and allowed me to choose subjects that aligned to the degree I wanted to pursue.”

“I was able to complete the course at my own pace and my teachers were so supportive during this time,” she said.

TAFE NSW teacher in Prevocational Studies, Elizabeth Fisher, said Harini showed great resilience throughout the course.

“Harini is one of the most conscientious and self-motivated students I have had the pleasure of teaching,” Ms Fisher said.

“The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation allows students to select the subjects that interest them so Harini was able to complete high-level mathematics and statistics units which helped prepare her for her degree.”

It’s a great time to be studying finance with Job Outlook estimating the number of financial brokers will increase from 34,500 to 40,200 by 2022, and the number of accountants to increase by roughly 13,000 in that timeframe.

To find out more about studying the Tertiary Preparation Course at TAFE NSW visit www.tafensw.edu.au, or call 131 601.   

Media contact: Jessica Cortis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 0456 170 211.