“I remember leaving the excursion feeling incredibly fascinated and eager to learn more about the reactor,” Bree said.

That eagerness led her to enrol in a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging) at Charles Strut University in Port Macquarie, where she celebrated her  graduation at a ceremony on Tuesday 21 May.

Growing up in Singleton, NSW, Bree’s love of physics began in high school, where she had the opportunity to travel to the ANSTO Nuclear Reactor at Lucas Heights in southern Sydney.

“Later that day after visiting, I researched potential university courses that aligned with jobs in a similar line of work to the scientists that I met at ANSTO,” she said.

“I came across nuclear medicine and decided then and there that this is what I wanted to do post-high school.”

Bree soon became the first in her immediate family to attend university, and while it has been an incredible journey, it hasn’t been without its challenges.

“One of the biggest shocks to moving out of home for university and into shared accommodation during my second and third-year placements was battling with inconsiderate housemates,” Bree said.

“One of the locations had a shared kitchen with hundreds of other students, and I would usually spend my Sundays off work grocery shopping and meal prepping for the week ahead.

“I remember my first weekend of a six-week placement block. I had budgeted and spent many hours in the kitchen prepping breakfast, lunch and dinner for the work week ahead, and came down Monday morning to find all of my food had been stolen from the fridge.”

Luckily, Charles Sturt has an extensive range of scholarships to apply for and Bree secured one which would see her living situation change for the better.

“During my fourth year of placement I was accepted for a scholarship, which meant I was able to rent an apartment and live on my own,” she said.

“This scholarship was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to showcase my skills and secure a job at the location I was hoping to work at post-graduation.

“I of course accepted the job and moved permanently from my hometown in Singleton all the way to Cairns in tropical North Queensland.

“I’ve been working here full-time for about six months now and I absolutely love it.”

Bree is one of the 87 per cent of Charles Sturt undergraduate students who secure full-time employment within four months of graduating – the highest rate among Australia’s 39 universities.

While securing employment is a significant success, she has her sights on progressing even further in her role.

“In my immediate future I am hoping to learn magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Lutetium-177 therapy for prostate cancer,” Bree said.

“Even further into the future, I would love to eventually do locum work for a year in the UK.”

Looking back on her study journey, Bree encouraged other students to prioritise maintaining a good work-life-study balance.

“As nice as it is to strive for High Distinctions, it’s also important to enjoy your life as a student,” she said.

“Apply for any and all scholarships that you can to help with this and spend the time to answer the application questions well and have good references. Scholarships make a huge difference when it comes to financial stress while working full-time for free as a student on placement.”

Encouraging others to follow in her footsteps, Bree said it was important to keep striving for more after graduation.

“Once you finally reach that end goal of graduating and transitioning into the workforce, don’t stay stagnant,” she said.

“Always strive to continue learning new things and adding to your skill set.

“This will keep things interesting, improve your resumé and ensure you are providing the best patient care and quality of work.”

ENDS