An adventure-seeking world traveller has decided to end what he describes as the longest-ever gap year to study Commerce at USC’s SouthBank campus.

From government administration jobs in cities to work in remote gas fields and country bars, Peter Walsh has tried his hand at many things since leaving Chinchilla State High School almost 20 years ago.

“I am adventurous and will have a crack at anything, so I travelled widely and gained a broad range of work experience in my longest-ever gap year,” said Mr Walsh, who worked for much of the past decade in senior administration in the oil and gas fields of the Surat Basin.

“At 37, I felt it was time to finally get that tertiary education I had put on hold.”

With employment opportunities in the accounting and financial service industries expected to increase by about 10 percent in the next four years in Australia, Mr Walsh said USC’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) would expand his career options.

The three-year degree aims to provide students with high-level analytical skills and a strong foundation in management and other core business skills in demand across industries.

“My goal is to secure work as an accountant in the mining sector because I enjoy working in the industry, particularly the fly-in fly-out lifestyle which allows you to live and work in both the city and out in the sticks in remote sites,” he said.

The smaller size and convenient location of USC’s SouthBank campus in the heart of Brisbane’s cultural and entertainment precinct appealed to Mr Walsh when he considered his study options.

“I made the right decision. I love it. The small classes are amazing because of the close interaction you have in lectures and tutorials.

“It is not like sitting in lecture theatres with over 300 students. You have the benefit of getting to know your lecturers and other students and more opportunity to be involved in class work.”

Applications are now open for mid-year entry to study at USC, starting Semester 2 on 24 July. Details on how to apply can be found at www.usc.edu.au/midyear

— Clare McKay