Sisters Alicia and Mandy Froger have juggled study and raising children over the last three years to retrain at SIT. This week they both graduate with bachelors’ degrees and have new careers before them.
Alicia has completed a Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting Major, and Mandy a Bachelor of Nursing. The sisters both decided to retrain during the upheavals of Covid lockdowns (Mandy’s Beauty Therapy job ended during the pandemic). “I realised I needed something more,” said Mandy, which was the impetus to enrol in SIT’s Nursing degree.
Similarly, the timing was right for Alicia, who was working part-time in administration. “Mandy encouraged me ... my kids were heading to school. It was time to do something for myself,” she said. There was also a natural progression from administration into accounting and she was willing to shift to Invercargill and give study a go.
The sisters spoke forthrightly about how challenging achieving their degrees has been; both are in their forties and solo parenting two children each. “It hasn’t been easy, but it has been rewarding,” Mandy said, adding “... it is a big deal reaching graduation.” Alicia agreed. “It has been tough, but it has been worth the last three years.” She found one of the toughest experiences was studying and doing exams from home during lockdown.
They say they couldn’t have done it without the support of friends, family and each other. “We’ve looked after each others kids, we’ve made it work. We’re both pretty lucky ... “ Alicia said. She was thankful to have a good friend who’d also completed the same degree. “Jackie helped push me along, she was a good encouragement.”
Mandy also felt well supported through SIT, “which has made it easier,” she said. Alicia interned for a year with SIT’s finance team and appreciated the flexibility they provided with her hours. Both sisters wanted to acknowledge their programme tutors and offered a “huge thanks” for all the help they’d received. SIT’s Zero Fees Scheme was also an important factor which made their studies possible. “We know we couldn’t have done it without the Zero Fees Scheme,” said Alicia.
Achieving their degrees has been life changing for the sisters. Mandy has an offer of employment for next year through the new graduate programme, NETP (Nursing Entry to Practice Programme). “I’m pretty stoked about that,” she said, adding her highlight has been the amazing connections made with her fellow nursing classmates. “ They’ve become like family and were such a great support through my study.” Mandy hopes to have shown her children “if you work hard you’ll get the results. It’s worth making sacrifices, it’s worth following your dreams ...”
Alicia has already been employed as an Assistant Accountant at SBS Insurance... “I now have a really good job ... it’s all coming together; a lot of what we do here was covered in the course,” she explained.
The sisters have a cousin - Anna Trent – who’s also graduating, with a Bachelor of Environmental Management. “It really is a family affair,” said Mandy. There would be a celebration family dinner after graduation. “Mum and Dad are super proud,” said Alicia, and what a fitting end for all of their efforts.