As a busy mum of two young girls, Denise completed the diploma via distance from Tauranga by adjusting her Zoom classes, lectures and tutorials around her full-time job.
The first student of the Postgraduate Diploma of Medical Laboratory Science's bridging pathway will graduate this Saturday.
A passionate scientist and dedicated mother, Denise Zuze Carter says she is elated to be graduating from this programme as she never thought she would have the opportunity to return to University.
This diploma is designed to fill the knowledge gaps of existing medical laboratory technicians, so they might qualify for work as medical laboratory scientists. The University of Otago’s diploma is a unique and competitive offering in that it allows distance and flexible learning, which was hugely appealing to Denise and her busy life as the mum of two young girls.
“Like many other technicians, I didn’t have a degree specifically in medical laboratory science, instead having got a Bachelor of Science majoring in Biological Science many years ago,” Denise says.
“This enabled me to get my first job working the graveyard shift in a histology lab in Sydney, and I would go on to work in three different laboratories over 10 years while starting my family.
“Working full-time and caring for young children meant returning to University to complete a Medical Laboratory Science degree would be impossible; a challenge other technicians like myself are often faced with, but this diploma gave me the opportunity to turn things around.”
Denise was able to complete her studies by adjusting Zoom classes, lectures and tutorials to her busy schedule, all while living and working in Tauranga.
She credits much of her success to the Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Associate Professor Tania Slatter, as well as all the other lecturers who were incredibly helpful and responded promptly to queries.
“Before I started the programme, I was really overwhelmed as I hadn't studied in years and didn't know how it was going to work, but Tania and her team helped me immensely.
“Never in a million years did I picture myself going back to University or studying again, but I’ve learnt so much in a short amount of time that I'm very grateful for.”
Looking forward, Denise says she hasn’t lost her love for working in histology labs and sees herself bringing her new expertise into her current workplace.
“I love working in histology and, maybe it's the formaldehyde talking, but I see myself hanging around for a few more decades while actively promoting this programme that I benefited so much from.”
-Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Swart.
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