糖心传媒

More than 1,250 糖心传媒 students came together on the Gold Coast last week to mark that moment, celebrating the culmination of years of study, persistence and personal growth. 

The ceremonies recognised graduates across disciplines including law, business, arts, science, engineering, health and education, as they prepare to step confidently into their professional careers. 

They will go on to become future scientists, lawyers, teachers, social workers, nurses, midwives, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, IT professionals and childcare educators to fill critical workforce shortages and shape the future of their industries. 

But beyond the qualifications and career pathways, each graduate carries a unique story of where they began, what drove them to study, and the challenges they overcame along the way. 

One of those stories belongs to Maureen Caraco, a Bachelor of Law graduate who reached a turning point and chose to step into the world of academia later in life. 

“I arrived at a point in my life where I felt intellectually starved. I was looking for something that did not just occupy my time but challenged the way I thought,” said Maureen. 

“I was initially drawn to law while I was practicing real estate. I noticed how often legal structures shape everyday transactions and decisions. That curiosity made me want to understand the logic behind those structures more deeply.” 

What began as curiosity quickly became a clear sense of direction. Through her studies, Maureen discovered a natural connection to legal thinking and the discipline it requires. 

“Once I started studying law, the intensity did not push me away; it felt like exactly what I had been missing. 

“I realised that the way legal reasoning works simply makes sense to me.” 

Maureen was particularly drawn to the deeper thinking behind law. 

“One of the areas I enjoyed most was jurisprudence. It asks the deeper questions behind the rules not just what the law says, but why the law exists in the form it does.” 

This shared curiosity for law and ideas became the common ground that connected Maureen with other students, highlighting how university can act as a great equaliser. 

Entering university as a mature-age student, Maureen found herself in an environment where learning created a level playing field, supported by both her peers and teaching staff. 

“I never doubted I’d fit in because I’ve always mixed with people of all ages, and university is no different,” she said.  

“The different perspectives in the room really balanced each other out. The younger students brought a fresh, high-energy way of looking at things.” 

In a lecture hall, nobody cares how old you are because you’re all in the same trenches trying to figure out the law, and that shared goal makes the age difference completely irrelevant.” 

Maureen is currently completing her Practical Legal Training (PLT) with Leo Cussen — a necessary step for law graduates to qualify as lawyers — and says she’s enjoying putting her academic knowledge into practice in a professional setting.

“I have come to realise that the degree itself was only the beginning. Now that I am undertaking training all of the theory is finally meeting the realities of practice. It is beginning to make complete sense,” she said.  

For Maureen graduation marks both an achievement and the start of something new. Looking ahead, she is focused on admission to the profession while remaining open to where her legal career may lead. 

“I feel very proud. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter. My immediate goal is to be admitted to the profession and I am allowing that experience to guide where I ultimately specialise,” she said.  

Reflecting on her journey, she encourages others not to be defined by age when considering study. 

“I don’t really believe in putting yourself into a “mature student” box before you even start. Most of the time, it’s just a story we tell ourselves. 

“Returning to study is incredibly energising. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and keeps your thinking sharp.”