Hervey Bay’s Peta Reader has had many different experiences of university life and now wants to share what she knows to help other prospective students and their parents.

Mrs Reader, 37, said her interesting educational journey made her an ideal candidate for her role as one of four new student ambassadors at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Fraser Coast campus.

“I can offer an insider's viewpoint on being a young university student straight out of high school, doing a tertiary bridging course, and life as a mature age student,” said the mother of four.

“As a parent with a child finishing high school this year, I can provide insights for other parents of Year 12 students who are also trying to help their children navigate their way around university applications and career choices.”

Mrs Reader said she enrolled in a Nursing degree at a university in Victoria when she graduated from high school in 1997, but decided to leave after one semester to work in childcare.

Almost 15 years later, she said she was inspired by the birth of her fourth child to finally pursue her long-held aspiration of becoming a midwife. She is now in her second year of a Bachelor of Nursing Science at USC Fraser Coast, after completing a tertiary preparation course as a pathway back to university.

“I believe that everybody should have the opportunity to study at university, regardless of age, background, ethnicity and experience, and this role will be able to assist people in doing so,” Mrs Reader said.

Mrs Reader joins Katie Brown and Myles Kreis from Hervey Bay and Maryborough’s Mitchell Brunke as newly appointed student ambassadors for USC Fraser Coast.

Their main role is to talk to prospective students and their parents about study options, applications, costs, scholarships, financial assistance and USC's support services.

Former Xavier Catholic College student Katie Brown said she took up the ambassador role because she was passionate about university education.

“I think the amount you learn not only from your courses but from the university environment is priceless,” said Katie, who is studying a combined Commerce and Business degree.

Bachelor of Commerce student Mitchell Brunke, who graduated from Maryborough State High School in 2012, said he was looking forward to helping high school students find a study program that was right for them.

— Clare McKay