Katie Hindmarsh

I grew up on Sydney’s North Shore, attended Abbotsleigh and Barker College. I’m the middle child of 3 and my siblings no longer live in Sydney. I finished school in 1995, was a student at UTS Ku-ring-gai from 1996 – 1998 BA in Leisure Management majoring in Sports Management. I travelled overseas. I worked for Sport and Rec Training Australia. I also completed a Grad Dip in Vocational Education and Training by correspondence through the University of Queensland. I worked as a supervisor at BridgeClimb. I’ve been married now for 12 years with 3 young children (10, 8 and 7yrs old). I’m doing this course part-time.

What made you want to study this degree?
Having my own children; appreciating the people that helped me through my pregnancies and births; my interest and fascination in the human body, and the miracle of life; and, having been out of the workforce for the best part of 8 years to raise my kids, I wanted to give back and do something new that was more meaningful for me.

Why did you choose to study at UTS?
I like UTS and stand-alone midwifery is not a widely offered course.

What is the most rewarding aspect of the course?
Not only helping to birth a child but also helping to birth a family.

Do you feel that you have changed and developed during your studies?
Yes. I don’t cry nearly as much as when I first started out! (I’m getting used to all the emotions that come with this course, with midwifery work, women and their families at this ‘special’ time in their lives). I also appreciate the course for opening my eyes to women’s health issues around the world.

What are the assessments like?
Tough. Any assessment for me is tough – I have 3 little kids I adore and want to devote myself to, who are busy and want my attention, and we live in a small, open-plan house. Finding time and quiet space to study is challenging. A real challenge for me is not only juggling the kids and home-life with the assessments but moreso the practical elements of the course - weeks working at the hospital, fitting in women’s appointments throughout their pregnancy care (antenatal and postnatal) and also being at their births which, of course, could be anytime of the day or night!

Have you found it easy to find study support (if you needed it)?
I appreciate the support of the UTS staff and quite enjoy my library time and the support services it offers.

Where has your new degree taken you?
I went to Bali, Indonesia, in February with the UTS BUiLD program. It was a wonderful experience, we had an amazing time!

What are your plans for the future?
At this stage, I just truly hope to make it through the course (it can be really tough!). I’d like to complete it, complete it well and I look forward to all the possibilities that come with it and the different areas across the field of midwifery that will open up to me.

What advice would you give to future students?
Do it! Soak it up…and always try to remember how lucky you are to have the opportunities we do, to be able to learn, to further your education, to attend university, to attend UTS, in Sydney, in Australia.