Anna redraws her future with TAFE Queensland

Her mum wasn’t an architect or a designer - she was a nurse and midwife - but the house she created planted a seed in Anna’s imagination.

“As a child, I’d sprawl across butcher’s paper, sketching house plans that only existed in my head - that love for design never really went away,” Anna explained.

But when she left school, Anna didn’t pursue design. Instead, she became a pharmacist - a career she built over 20 years in retail, hospital settings, management, and clinical trials.

“While I enjoyed the precision, responsibility, and patient care, I always had a strong interest in houses and design.”

“Eventually, I realised I wanted to combine my problem-solving skills with something more creative and practical,” she said.

Then, in 2021, Anna decided to take the leap and enrol in TAFE Queensland’s Certificate IV in Residential Drafting (CPP40121), studying part-time online while continuing her full-time pharmacy career.

When she progressed to the Diploma of Building Design (CPP50921), she switched to on-campus study - that’s when everything changed.

“Studying alongside others transformed my learning experience. I wasn’t just building skills anymore; I was building connections - with classmates, teachers, and future colleagues. That support made all the difference,” she said.

Anna credits TAFE Queensland’s teachers with giving her the confidence to succeed in a completely new industry.

“The teachers were so knowledgeable and approachable. They were always generous with their time and insights, helping me see that starting again was possible.”

She also highlights the importance of TAFE Queensland’s facilities and equipment in preparing her for professional practice.

“Having access to Revit, Twinmotion, and other industry-standard software meant I could take an idea from a sketch right through to a resolved design.”

“The training was practical, hands-on, and industry-focused - it gave me exactly what I needed to step into the workforce.”

While Anna expected to gravitate toward the creative side, she was surprised by how much she enjoyed the technical aspects - navigating building codes, problem-solving for construction challenges, and turning creative ideas into buildable designs.

That blend of creative exploration and technical training paid off, and within weeks of graduating, she secured her first role in building design.

“My TAFE Queensland studies gave me the skills to hit the ground running, and I’m very confident in my abilities and excited to keep growing in this new career.”

During her graduation speech, Anna conveyed to the audience that their qualifications represent more than a piece of paper.

“It’s proof that we can evolve. That starting again is possible. And that the lessons I learned at TAFE Queensland will stay with me long after graduating.”

From a childhood spark to a thriving new career, Anna’s story shows how TAFE Queensland’s supportive teachers, industry-standard facilities, and practical training can give anyone the confidence to redraw their future.

Now a qualified graduate, Anna’s goal is to establish a long-term career in building design, contributing to meaningful projects across Queensland and eventually mentoring others making their own career shifts.

“I would absolutely recommend TAFE Queensland for its supportive environment with experienced teachers, modern facilities, and a clear pathway into work - whether you’re starting, upskilling, or changing careers,” Anna concluded.