Jacqueline Hermann
If you are truly passionate about midwifery and women’s health, just take the leap and go for it.
I grew up in the Illawarra area with my mum, dad and younger brother. I now live in inner Sydney with my husband and two boys. During my final years in high school, I had a keen interest in hospitality. When I completed my HSC, I applied to TAFE to study Hospitality Management and ended up obtaining a Hospitality Traineeship at a local leagues club. I was trained in club operations and management, and after 18 months, I ended up working in the office area of the club, primarily assisting with bookkeeping duties. It was at this time that I decided to apply to university for the first time.
I studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting. I graduated in 2006, and in the year following, I embarked on my accounting career as a graduate at one of the Big 4 accounting firms in Sydney. I spent 13 years working in Insolvency and Financial Restructuring and loved my career as an accountant. The work was always dynamic, and each engagement was different.
As time went on, particularly after having my boys, I couldn’t help but think I was meant to be doing something else. I realised that if something was going to take me away from my family, it had to mean something to me.
I have not always wanted to be a midwife, but became extremely interested in pregnancy and birth when I first fell pregnant about 9 years ago. Initially, I thought I was just clucky but after having my second child, the feeling that I should be pursuing something else never really went away.
For the last six years, if anyone had asked me what I wanted to be, my answer was always a midwife. Initially, I dismissed this passion as I thought I was too old to go back to university again, but the urge was too strong. I didn't want to be left wondering about what could have been! In 2018 I decided to apply to university for the second time – this time to study a Bachelor of Midwifery.
I am so proud of the decision that I have made, and to say that I am happy about it would be an understatement! When I talk about it with other people, I often get told that my face just lights up.
I chose to study at UTS due to the central location. Being able to juggle university, placement and family life is made easier due to the convenient location. An added bonus is the course is consistently ranked as the top midwifery course in the country and the clinical facilities on campus are amazing.
As I progress through the degree, so too does my passion for midwifery. Education is something I feel strongly about. When women are informed about their options, they are empowered to make their own decisions. Often, we see women who have received no antenatal education having to make immediate decisions during birth based upon very limited information. I have also developed a keen interest in Perinatal Mental Health after completing the subject this semester.
The 'continuity of midwifery care' experiences have been the most rewarding part of the course so far. I have had the privilege of following several women through their pregnancy and birth journeys. Whilst all have been vastly different experiences, getting to know these wonderful women and their families has been an absolute joy. I love that these experiences allow us to obtain a deep understanding of what is important to the woman which then provides an opportunity to be additional support and advocate for them.
My confidence in my abilities has changed the most during my studies. Not to say that I don’t feel nervous going out on placement, but I approach it with a sense of excitement and optimism at the opportunities I will be presented with. Each placement block allows us to consolidate the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that we have learnt in class. The academic staff at UTS are so passionate about midwifery and developing us into future midwives; we all share the same passion about providing woman-centred care. They are very supportive and want to see each of us succeed. The small cohort means that we all know each other, and the teachers and lecturers know who we are too.
If you are truly passionate about midwifery and women’s health, just take the leap and go for it.
Be prepared to work hard, but with hard work will come an amazing sense of fulfilment. I would also say find your tribe who will support you through this degree. At times, this degree can be extremely challenging, but having people around who you can reflect and de-brief with about your experiences is key.
