After seven years on the airwaves, Triple M radio presenter Davina Ebenezer swapped her microphone for a stethoscope to study nursing at USC Fraser Coast – and it is a story she is keen to share.

Davina will join with other panellists at Open Day at USC Fraser Coast on Saturday 23 June to present a session for those who want to study but are unsure about taking the first step to higher education.

Now in the second-year of a Bachelor of Nursing Science, the 31-year-old said it took a leap of faith to give up her coveted full-time live radio gig and follow a calling she had harboured for several years to become a nurse.

“I had applied and been accepted for university many times before but had not found the courage to start a degree,” she said. “I was making excuses but finally decided it was time to make a change and it has just opened up a whole new world for me.”

Open Day, from 10am to 1pm at the USC campus in Old Maryborough Road, Hervey Bay, is designed to give prospective students and their families the chance to talk one-on-one with staff, graduates and current students.

At the Info Hub, visitors can gain an overview of the study areas and career opportunities on offer, and academics will be on hand to answer questions about programs and courses.

Advisors from USC’s Student Central team can help with advice on applying for university, scholarships, studying overseas and more.

Two panel sessions are a special feature of Open Day, giving visitors the opportunity to quiz advisors, lecturers, graduates and current students about their university experiences and gain advice on how to prepare for study and balance priorities.

Almost 20 degrees and pathway programs will be showcased on the day, including degrees in Tourism, Leisure and Event Management, Animal Ecology, Accounting, Human Services, Education, Science, Psychology, Social Work and Environmental Science.

High school students going into Year 11 and 12 next year can discover how to work towards a USC degree while still at school by inquiring about the Headstart program.

Visitors can tour campus facilities and teaching spaces, including the nursing, science and robotics labs.

USC will hold another Open Day at its Sunshine Coast campus on Sunday 22 July. The University will run a free bus services for Fraser Coast residents who would like to attend.

Study at USC.

— Clare McKay