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Calvin Yeo has always had a fascination with crime, but without access to the new UOW College Diploma of Business to Bachelor of Laws pathway, his dreams may never have become reality.
The eight months Calvin spent studying the Diploma of Business Fast Track at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Liverpool campus, has positioned him to pursue his dream degree, the Bachelor of Laws, at UOW.
When Calvin didn't achieve the results needed for entry into a law degree, he looked for an alternative pathway that would keep him moving towards his goal. The Diploma of Business provided a practical route into university study while helping him build valuable skills for his future career in law.
“I chose the Diploma of Business as my pathway because I didn’t get the results that I needed, so I had to take the diploma in order to study law.”
With the goal of becoming a criminal lawyer, the diploma gives him the flexibility to explore a range of legal specialisations and career paths.
Through his diploma studies, he is building strong business, communication and critical thinking skills while preparing for the Bachelor of Law.
Developing the skills to succeed
“The Diploma of Business has taught me skills such as accounting and economics which would help greatly if I decide to go into areas such as taxation law,” Calvin says.
“It also gives me an advantage because I will gain an additional qualification in Business and can do certain things that others with law degrees may not.”
He initially chose to study at UOW after finishing high school because the service offered was outstanding – his questions were answered promptly, often on the same day, so he had confidence that his needs as a student would be met.
That support continues on campus with a range of initiatives offered to students.
Support leads to study success
When he started the diploma, he was not disappointed.
He has been impressed with support from lecturers, who have supplied extra resources – like study plans or using AI to create quizzes from lecture notes – that tailor study to the needs of individual students.
He has made friends easily and says the Liverpool campus makes study both fun and easy, with a range of study rooms for both individual and group study available.
“Sometimes when you are studying a lot by yourself, you need someone to talk to,” Calvin says.
“If you study with friends, you may not get as much study done but you can get a wider perspective on how to approach an issue.
“For me, the best way to study is not necessarily about books and exercises – it’s about helping others. You can spot each other’s mistakes.”
The skills that he has learned through the diploma have created new opportunities and possibilities for Calvin in law and all aspects of running a business as well as preparing him for the challenges of studying a bachelor's degree.
He has particularly enjoyed the research components of the Diploma of Business where he can take a deep dive into a subject and work out his own point of view while summarising the available theory and evidence.
Progressing to the University of Wollongong
The course allows plenty of time for him to choose his exact career path later - maybe personal injury or family law or even taxation law using his new business skills.
“That’s one of many great reasons for studying the Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong. It’s flexible,” Calvin says.
He’s proud to be part of the first cohort to walk the pathway from Diploma of Business to Bachelor of Laws and says that he feels like he has made his mark for students who will follow him on the pathway.
And his advice to those students?
“Find a group of friends that you can study with and pace yourself,” Calvin says.
He recommends taking breaks when necessary, learning to take time to relax before getting back into the rhythm of the course.
“This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” he says.