By David Sly
Tina Hart has an ambition to promote good health to the wider community – and studying for a Bachelor of Public Health at Flinders University will help her realise this important goal.
Tina views this as an opportunity to pursue her ideal professional role, having previously worked in both the construction industry and education in the UK and Hong Kong, before emigrating to Australia with her family in 2017. “I was working in a school with children who had high trauma-based backgrounds, and I found it very frustrating that I wasn’t in a position to do much to help the vulnerable families that I came across. I thought that going back to study for a degree could change that,” she says.
She came to Flinders to study for a Bachelor of Public Health, respectful of the University’s rich 40-year history of success in developing public health education.
“I had a quite limited idea about what public health includes, but once I started studying, I really had my eyes opened about how big the public health sector is. With every subject I study, I’m introduced to more fresh ideas and see public health work possibilities that I’d never considered before.”
Coming to the course as a mature-age student, 46-year-old Tina says she grasped her opportunity to study at university for the first time. “It’s not easy as a mature-aged mother with a family to find enough time to devote to study, but I’ve made it happen because I’m focused and driven.”
Now in her third and final year of study, Tina recently did a work placement with the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA). It proved especially challenging, as Tina has personally witnessed the trouble caused by alcohol and substance abuse.
“My father was an alcoholic, so I saw the destruction that it can cause to a family. It’s something that has remained close to my heart, and is an area where I want to help people,” she explains.
“My placement at NCETA has allowed me to be reflective and learn my strengths and weaknesses. I feel as though I’m dipping my toes in the water and I’m getting a feel for the industry before finishing my degree – and this will help me step into a role once I have my degree.”
“I see my future in health promotion and prevention of damaging health practices, because I really like putting evidence-based research into practice. I pride myself on having strong communication skills – and this is where I really believe I can make a difference.”