JANELLE Campbell graduated just in the nick of time before starting the next adventure in her career: moving to New Zealand.
Ms Campbell is one of 1550 University of Newcastle students who will graduate in eight ceremonies across three days.
She graduated on Friday morning with a Master of Project Management for the Built Environment, which is her third degree.
"I feel wonderful," she said. "I'm hoping this is the last of my studies! But it's always been at the top of my to do list and I feel fulfilled and much more knowledgeable and educated. I knew I needed to do this degree to progress my career, it's the icing on the cake for me."
Ms Campbell works in construction, as a design manager for Besix Watpac.
"I just finished building a hospital in Brisbane, STARS, and will relocate at the end of this month to Christchurch to build the new Canterbury Multi-Use Arena, a new stadium following the earthquakes."
Ms Campbell has spent a total of about 12 years studying, when also including her undergraduate degree in architecture specialising in sustainable design and her master's in architecture.
When she finished her last master's, in 2014, she travelled to India for six months with Architects Without Frontiers and helped build a preschool using bamboo.
She said she was drawn to UON because the program included electives tied to disaster relief and management.
"I like the satisfaction you get out of giving back, helping other people, solving problems and rebuilding," she said.
"You're giving back and helping them to rebuild in the most vulnerable circumstances and time.
"It's kind of like being thrown in the deep end when there's a catastrophic event, but I have the personality and traits to get in and get the job done, it gives me a thrill.
"You have one life and I want it to be exciting and make the most out of it.
"I'm not looking for the white picket fence and the nine to five job."
Layla Hosseini said she was thankful to have her manager attend the ceremony to see her graduate with her PhD in Chemical Engineering.
Dr Hosseini moved from Iran to take up a scholarship and complete her PhD and is now a senior consultant with Auricon and a project engineer with Sydney Water.
"I was a bit sad my family is not here but I felt so privileged my manager was here - he is now a member of my family and took leave to celebrate the day with me."
Dr Hosseini studied for her undergraduate and master's degrees in chemical engineering in Iran and had a company in the oil and gas industry.
"After the sanctions from the US we went bankrupt and so I decided to start a new journey," she said.
"I changed from oil and gas to water because I was looking to work in a more peaceful industry that is not political!"
She received permanent residency through the Global Talent Visa Program. "I've loved it here."
Alana Sinclair graduated with a Bachelor of Science majoring in earth science, part of her double degree with law.
"I feel amazing and so stoked," she said.
"I hope to get into environmental law - everyone seems to be destroying it these days. I want to make a difference."
She said she had to put "a lot of effort" into her studies, saying the degrees were so different.
"There's been a lot of late nights and a lot of tears, but now I'm going to celebrate."
Fareed Uddin said a PhD in computer science usually takes about four years. He completed his in two years and four months.
"My supervisors said I was in the one per cent of people who could get it done in a shorter time," he said.
"I really wanted to get it done quickly - I wanted to contribute something.
"I had supportive PhD supervisors who pushed me in getting publications - I have seven research publications, two are in the review process."
Dr Uddin completed his bachelor and master's in computer science in Pakistan and was drawn to study his PhD in Newcastle because his supervisors' work overlapped with what he wanted to do in his PhD.
"I always looked back at my teachers and professors and felt like they were held in esteem and a PhD helped them get into the next level in academia and the industry," he said.
"I want to contribute from the creative side too - I have ideas."
He said he felt a sense of achievement finishing his studies. "It seems like I've reached my goal," he said.
"To be in a community in a first world country matches what I've always wanted. The community feel, the economic advancement, the research culture - I don't get this kind of research culture in universities in Pakistan. Now it's my turn to give back to Australia."
He is now a lecturer at the University of New England.
Kieran Molnar graduated with a double degree in computer engineering and computer science.
"I feel really happy I've finally finished and excited at what comes next - it's the end of a chapter and the start of a new one," he said.
"I enjoyed my time here so much I'm going to stay and do further study."
