Returning to university study was an obvious choice for Korpo Kormon long after leaving a successful career in accounting in her Liberian homeland to emigrate to Australia.
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The energetic mother of four took on the challenge at a time when her family was growing.
She had just given birth to twins and living a life far removed from the one she had left behind.
She already held a Bachelor of Accounting from Liberia where she was working as an assistant accountant with the US Agency for International Development.
Part of her brief involved controlling the finances of five local counties.
However, when she landed in Australia five years ago, she found her Liberian degree wasn’t recognised by the domestic accounting profession which put the brakes on her career prospects.
“I became frustrated because I lost any chance of the professional life I really wanted,” she said.
After encouragement from her husband, she started a double degree at Griffith University undertaking a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Business.
“When I first studied for my degree in Liberia I didn’t have children, but now that I am married and have four kids, there are a lot of challenges, especially when I look at my bank balance,” she said.
“You sacrifice a lot of things socially, and for the family, so there has to be a lot of compromise along the way.
“Four years might be a long time, but in the end it will be worth it.”
Ms Kormon is among a growing population of mature-aged university students undertaking further study to enhance their career prospects.
This commitment to lifelong learning is celebrated by Adult Learners’ Week at Griffith University from September 1 to 8, culminating in an event held at the university’s Logan campus on September 5 from 5-8pm in the auditorium.
This year’s event, hosted by Logan campus Pro Vice Chancellor Professor Lesley Chenoweth AO, features guest speaker Kon Karapanagiotidis AO, the CEO and Founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
Mr Karapanagiotidis, a human rights activist for the past 25 years, holds six degrees in the fields of law, social work, psychology, business, education and international development. It’s a CV that highlights what can be achieved through lifelong learning.
