Young artist and OP3 student Charlotte Russell plans to turn her bent for creativity into a career with the help of a Communication degree from USC.

The 2017 Senior Dux of Childers’ Isis District State High School is planning a future in research, journalism and media production after discovering her combined passion for writing, art and design while producing the school’s end-of-year magazine.

“I am keeping my options open career-wise, so this degree is a great fit as it offers a number of study options and will open up opportunities in many fields,” said Charlotte, who will begin the Bachelor of Communication at USC’s Fraser Coast campus later this month.

The three-year degree is taught by industry professionals and provides students with theoretical and practical digital, social media and communication skills.

While offered through USC Sunshine Coast, flexible study options across the University’s multiple campuses will allow the Howard resident to complete first-year subjects at its campus in Hervey Bay.

“I was not quite ready to move away from home, so I contacted USC’s Student Support and Engagement team who helped structure a plan where I could study a number of core subjects and electives at USC Fraser Coast,” the 17-year-old said.

The remaining subjects will be completed at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus.

As well as being Senior Dux and Student of the Year for her school last year, the high achiever was a house vice-captain and received subject prizes for modern history, legal studies and visual art, as well as academic, cultural and service awards.

The talented mixed-media artist has had her work featured in recent exhibitions in Maryborough and Bundaberg.

She also won the regional Packing Room Prize at Education Queensland’s Creative Generation Excellence Awards, which showcase the outstanding achievements of the state’s senior visual art students.

Applications remain open to study at USC, starting Semester 1 on 26 February 2018. Fraser Coast residents wanting to discuss their study options can contact the local campus to arrange a meeting with a career or student advisor.

 Applications are still open to study at USC in 2018.

— Clare McKay