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Level unlocked: Dean’s journey to a Bachelor of Game Design
When Dean Teague dropped out of high school, he never imagined he would go to university. But as soon as he stepped into a TAFE Queensland classroom, that way of thinking was flipped on its head.
Today, with a Certificate III and two Diplomas already under his belt, Dean is just months from graduating with a Bachelor of Digital Design (Game Design) (ARB302).
For Dean – like many early school leavers – stepping back into a classroom wasn’t easy. In 2020, he enrolled in the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus, hoping to bridge the skills gap from his missed time at school.
‘When I first started coming to TAFE, I was very nervous,’ Dean admitted. ‘I was still struggling with a lot of things and was worried it would be just like high school.’
What he found, though, was a learning environment completely different from school.
‘I actually felt like I had agency over myself and my learning,’ Dean said. ‘The teachers were so passionate – and the support for LGBTQIA+ students was huge. It gave me one less thing to worry about while I was studying.’
Dean soon progressed into the Year 10 Alternative class with SEE teacher Anita Lamb-Nicholls, which focuses on providing a supportive, goal-driven environment for early school leavers.
‘I enjoyed my Year 10 Alternative class a lot,’ said Dean. ‘It was a very low stress environment, and Anita was always very supportive. She made me feel like I was capable of things I didn't think I was.’
Dean recalls learning skills and techniques that proved essential to earning his degree – such as improving his literacy to be able to write assessments, and shoring up his Maths skills to prepare for the complicated programming involved in game design.
But, more than that, he learned to believe in his own capabilities.
‘Without Anita's class, I most likely would not have pursued further study at all,’ he said.
‘I gained the confidence to try. The support of my teachers made me believe in myself, and while I was scared of failing, I gave each course my best go,’ Dean said.
With a new spark of confidence and the skills to propel him forward, Dean progressed into a Certificate III in Visual Arts (CUA31120), then a Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50720), and, thirdly, a Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming, and Visual Effects) (CUA51020) – all at TAFE Queensland.
Afterwards, he took the exciting step of entering the Bachelor of Digital Design (Game Design) (ARB302), which is offered at TAFE Queensland’s South Bank campus in partnership with the University of Canberra.
Dean continues to commute long distances daily to study, and has overcome significant personal challenges in recent years, including losing his home to a fire and having to navigate emergency housing as a result.
‘He is one of the most determined and resilient students I have met in my 30 years of teaching,’ said teacher Anita Lamb-Nicholls.
Despite these obstacles, Dean remains dedicated to his goals. After graduation, he plans to showcase his professional portfolio to a number of local game studios, as well as continuing to create games with a group of his TAFE Queensland peers.
‘To anyone who needs an extra push to go to TAFE Queensland, just do it! You never know where it could take you,’ Dean encouraged.
‘SEE opens a lot of pathways you may think are impossible or out of reach for you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and the teachers will have your back the whole way through.’
Recently, Dean surprised Anita by dropping in to his old classroom to say hi.
‘Seeing him confidently share his stories about studying his degree was the highlight of my week,’ Anita said with a smile.
‘It was really inspiring for the current cohort of students, who were able to hear about how he has made his way from the SEE program all the way to university studies.’
For these accomplishments, Dean credits Anita and the rest of his TAFE Queensland teaching team.
‘I never imagined I'd be able to do a Bachelor and yet here I am, and it's thanks to the SEE program and the support of my teachers,’ he said.
‘I want to say thank you, to my TAFE Queensland teachers and my University of Canberra lecturers. I've learned so much from all of you, and my time studying at TAFE Queensland has been invaluable.’
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Dean with his SEE teacher, Anita Lamb-Nicholls