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“It got me ready”: How UOW College helped Helen take the next step towards becoming a lawyer.
UOW College gave Helen the confidence and academic skills to take the next step towards a career in criminal law – and she was never going to let the opportunity go to waste.
Now studying a Bachelor of Criminology at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Liverpool campus, Helen began her university journey through UOW College’s University Entrance Program (UEP), an academic preparation course that provided a direct pathway into her degree.
From Iraq to Australia
Helen’s story started in Iraq, where she was born and lived until she was eight years old.
“I have very fond memories of my childhood, as I’ve always been surrounded by a large family. All my cousins are my best friends,” says Helen.
However, her family experienced instability as ISIS attempted to take control of parts of Iraq, so they moved – first to Lebanon, and then to Australia, where they gradually built a new life for themselves.
Strong work ethic
From a young age, Helen learned the value of hard work. She helped her father on the family farm he bought after settling down in Australia, and then, as a teenager, began working in fast food, eventually progressing to a management role at 17. Some weeks, she says, she worked six days, yet never missed a day at school or an assignment.
“I just love working, and I’ve always wanted to do my best by my family, as they’ve given us their all”, says Helen. “I also believe that the more I work now as a young person, the better life I’m carving out for myself”.
That determination has stayed with her. Today, it is helping her work towards her ultimate goal: becoming a lawyer specialising in criminal law.
A passion for justice
Helen’s interest in criminology has a double origin. First, she was inspired by her high school teacher, Ms Scott, who taught Legal Studies in Year 12. That’s when Helen realised she could channel her passionate personality into advocating for others.
“When something is wrong, I can’t just stay silent. I know I can use my energy and drive for a good cause, fighting for better treatment of women and vulnerable communities,” says Helen.
Learning how to be a university student
By the end of Year 12, Helen knew she wanted to continue her studies at university. But she didn’t meet the entry requirements to go straight into her preferred degree. Instead, she was offered a place in the UEP, a 14-week course designed to help students develop the academic skills and confidence they need for university study.
For Helen, the UEP was more than just a pathway into her degree. It taught her the practicalities of academic life, from structuring essays and using references and citations correctly to navigating the UOW website, finding resources in the library, and understanding subject outlines and assessment requirements.
“It was basically a course in becoming a student. I wouldn’t have been able to start well if I hadn’t done it. It got me very ready,” she says.
The program also gave Helen a chance to practise the skills she would need beyond the classroom. Her teachers encouraged students to give presentations, helping Helen build confidence speaking in front of others, while learning alongside students from different backgrounds exposed her to new perspectives.
“All of us had different pathways. Everybody wanted to do something different. It was nice to be sitting in a room with people with diverse opinions.”
Finding her place in criminology
Having completed the UEP, Helen progressed into the Bachelor of Criminology at UOW Liverpool campus, where she has found plenty to fuel her curiosity. She particularly enjoys exploring criminal cases and the factors that influence human behaviour, as well as looking at ways environments and communities can be designed to help prevent crime.
Towards a career in criminal law
While Helen once considered a career in the police force, her ambitions have since sharpened. Now her ultimate goal is to become a lawyer specialising in criminal law, and she is considering continuing her UOW studies with a double degree in criminology and law.
Alongside her studies, Helen also works as an interpreter, using her Arabic and Assyrian language skills, and is actively looking for opportunities to gain experience in the criminal justice sector.
For someone who has always believed in working hard for the future she wants, her journey through UOW College and into university is another step towards that goal.
“In life, you always have to start somewhere and continue forward. I know I can’t just step on the top stairs straight away. I need to level myself up to reach there.”