Most students think choosing a uni starts with one big question: “Which campus do I want?” But what if the better starting point is actually: “How do I want uni to fit around my life?”

In this episode, Rob Malicki chats with Skye from CQUniversity, recorded in Melbourne, where plenty of people are surprised to learn CQUniversity has a campus right here. And once you hear how the uni works, that surprise makes a bit more sense.

Skye shares her own path first: leaving school unsure of what she wanted, working in hospitality, and then realising business, marketing and HR were the spark. The catch was she still needed to work, so she studied a Bachelor of Business online, built real-world experience at the same time, and ended up landing a role with CQUniversity’s marketing team before she’d even finished her degree.

From there, we zoom out into what makes CQUniversity an interesting option for students who want flexibility without feeling like they’re on their own. Skye unpacks the idea that “online study” does not have to mean “no campus, no people, no support”, especially when there are locations across the country and students can still lean on their nearest campus.

We also talk Melbourne specifics. Skye runs through what’s available locally, including diagnostic imaging (with a focus on sonography), business on campus, and nursing with practical components supported through a partnership that helps students complete residential schools and placements without needing to travel to Queensland.

Then there’s the pathways piece. CQUniversity is dual sector (TAFE and university), which means students can start with a certificate and work their way up, or take an alternate entry route through the STEPS program, designed to build confidence and capability (English, maths, science, plus navigating uni systems) before stepping into a bachelor degree.

Finally, Skye answers the question every student should ask, but often doesn’t: “What support will I actually get when things get hard?” She talks about the academic learning support for assignments and referencing, the careers team support for job hunting, and even scholarship support that can make the jump from regional life to a big city feel less overwhelming.