Felicity Dunn's career path has been shaped by a lifelong desire to help people and make a difference, a passion that has led to her currently studying a Master of Social Work at the University of Tasmania.
She recalls the day her father had a heart attack at home when she was a child, an event that set her on a path towards social work via paramedicine and ambulance dispatch.
"My dad had chest pain one day, and so my older sister rang for an ambulance and two gentlemen - Lee and Peter - showed up and they discovered that dad was having a heart attack," Felicity said.
"I was so impressed with how these gentlemen were when they came into our house, how they spoke to my dad, how they included me in giving me jobs to help them, which was really just for me to get out of their way and not see what was going on."
Felicity's passion for helping others, and her desire to become an ambulance officer, never faded. After working in various jobs after high school, Felicity finally got her chance to become a paramedic at age 24.
And those two paramedics from her childhood, Peter and Lee, were her clinical trainers. And they still remembered that job where they saved her dad.
Felicity was a paramedic for many years before an injury forced her to transition into the communications centre, where she has spent 15 years as a communications emergency medical dispatcher, tasking ambulances and paramedics to emergencies.
She loves the challenge of her job, which is like a big chess game, constantly shifting resources to manage emergencies. But recently she realised she missed the connection of working one-on-one with patients and their families. So, she studied a bachelor's degree in applied social science, followed by a Master of Social Work, with a view to becoming a palliative care social worker.
"I miss that privilege of being invited into somebody's space and being part of their world and having the opportunity to create change with them," she said.
"So, I want to be that chapter right through to the end with somebody on their journey, on their story."
Studying social work is giving her the opportunity to learn more about the issues facing vulnerable populations and to gain the skills and knowledge she needs to make a difference in new ways.
“Part of what I like to do, is provide a holistic approach to care. And I do think the University allows you to be what you want to be, and equips you to be that person to push forward.”, Felicity said.
Going back to university as a mature age student can be a daunting prospect, but Felicity found the staff and her fellow students to be incredibly approachable, and she made friends quickly and easily.
"Students are there because they want to be there...they want to create change, they want to be a part of this new sort of workforce coming through with a real strong social justice aspect. And so, they're just keen to get to know you and where you're at.
"And, as a mature age student, you suddenly realise all the things you used to worry about as an early 20-year-old, you don't worry about anymore. And if you actually want to go somewhere, you can get there."
Find yourself at the University of Tasmania. Start studying in February 2025.