Different journeys, same goals
JCU Prep students Charlie Michalke, 40, and Jianqiang (Chris) Jin, 51, are living proof that it’s never too late to chase your big career dreams.
The pair started their learning journeys with JCU Prep this year and have not looked back. Chris aims to pursue a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) degree, and Charlie is intent on studying Veterinary Science.
They hail from different walks of life: Charlie has relocated to Townsville after being born and raised in Alice Springs, while Chris comes from the bustling metropolis of Melbourne, where he studies JCU Prep online.
Charlie and Chris believe they have more chapters to add to their working lives, and JCU Prep is turning what might have been distant dreams into accessible goals.
JCU Prep is a course that caters to people who want to study at university, but who are missing entry requirements. It also equips students with fundamental skills of university study, such as time management, research and essay structure.
By completing JCU Prep subjects, students will be eligible to apply for direct entry into their chosen degrees*. The course is offered at JCU’s Townsville and Cairns campuses - as well as online - and runs one year, full-time, although it can take as little as three months depending on the number of subjects a student needs to enrol in.
Finding their right paths
“I’m a chef by trade, but over time, my passion shifted towards animal welfare and community support,” says Charlie.
“I knew I wanted to become a vet so I could make a bigger impact in the communities I was already working in. But after being out of school for so long, I needed a pathway to ease back into study. JCU Prep felt like the perfect stepping stone. It gave me the confidence to start, and the flexibility to study while still being involved in community work.”
Charlie has volunteered in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, and after finding her passion for animal welfare, she founded an organisation called Charlie’s Angels Dog Sanctuary that provides food and basic care to Indigenous families and their animals.
“I hope to gain entry into the Veterinary Science program at JCU so I can take my work with Charlie’s Angels Dog Sanctuary to the next level. I want to be a fully qualified vet working with Indigenous communities,” says Charlie.
By coincidence, Chris is also a chef by trade, and like Charlie he wants to take his career in a new direction; in his case, by becoming a high school teacher specialising in culinary education.
Chris currently works in Melbourne as a college trainer and assessor, and he’s reaping the benefits of JCU Prep’s flexible structure and delivery.
“A few years ago, I thought my study journey was over. However, as time went on, I realised that I still had a strong desire to learn and grow, and I began seeking opportunities that would make it possible to return to study,” says Chris.
“Studying JCU Prep has been a very positive and rewarding experience. The courses are well-structured and designed to build confidence step-by-step, which has made the learning process much less overwhelming.
“One of the biggest highlights has been regaining my confidence in studying mathematics. It felt empowering to see my skills improve week by week, especially as I worked through different types of materials and resources compared to what I had used in the past.”
It's your future: Take it
“JCU Prep is made for people like us - people with real-life experience and a strong reason to study."
JCU Prep student Chris Jin
Like all students, Chris and Charlie don’t have a crystal ball outlining what the future holds. The learning journey can be daunting and challenging at times. But they have a common piece of advice: just go for it.
“The skills you gain, the people you meet, and the achievements you make along the way will be well worth the effort,” Chris says. “JCU Prep isn’t just preparation for study — it’s preparation for a brighter future that I am always foreseeing.”
Charlie added: “JCU Prep is made for people like us - people with real-life experience and a strong reason to study. The support is there, and you’ll surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
“You don’t need to have it all figured out - just take the first step.”
*For students wishing to apply to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery; Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; Bachelor of Physiotherapy; or Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours), JCU Prep can only be used to fulfil subject prerequisites, not ATAR entry.