Adding a degree in Computer-Based Design to her existing qualification in Communication has made USC graduate Sharon Young an in-demand employee in her job at a new Morayfield health clinic.

Sharon Young, 23, of Caboolture started work as a marketing officer at the Health Hub Doctors Morayfield while still completing the final semester of her design degree last year.

The former Narangba Valley State High School student was among 1,700 students to formally graduate from USC last month.

Sharon started her design degree shortly after beginning a Bachelor of Communication in 2012, effectively taking on a double degree. She says she leveraged the knowledge and skills from both study areas to secure a position at the health hub.

“My job involves a lot of website design, graphic design, illustrations, marketing, advertising and communication, so it’s very multi-faceted,” she said.

“It helps to have skills from both the degrees because it makes me a more flexible employee.”

Sharon said USC Lecturer in Design and Communication Irene Visser had inspired her to take on the second degree.

“Irene’s knowledge of computer-based design was infectious,” she said. “The way she taught classes was very personable – she related well to everyone and had engaging content.

“That last semester studying design was very busy, but it was really helpful because I was already working in the field.

“Doing designs every single day at the Health Hub helped me at uni because it was feeding into what I was studying. And what I was studying was relevant to what I was doing at work, so it was all practical knowledge I could use.”

Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC, with Semester 2 starting July 23. Details on how to apply can be found here.

USC’s annual Open Day at its main Sunshine Coast campus will be held on Sunday 22 July and at its Caboolture campus on Sunday 5 August.

- Tom Snowdon