From marine science to chemical engineering, more than 1000 University of Newcastle students celebrated crossing the stage at this week's graduation ceremonies.
College of Engineering, Science and Environment graduates marked their big achievements on Thursday June 25 at the Callaghan campus.
After leaving high school in year 10, Brittney Valenzisi never intended to go to university but on Thursday she could officially use the title "doctor".
Dr Valenzisi felt proud to have graduated with a PhD in marine science.
"It has been such a big build-up to this moment and I feel like today was really the first time that it sunk in," she said.
"I was always good at science in high school and I loved the ocean, I loved diving, so I put marine science together and they just couldn't get rid of me from there."
She was now working at the university as a casual academic and was looking forward to being a course coordinator for the first time.
Bachelor of chemical engineering graduate Haley Redfern similarly had a "roundabout" journey to finishing her degree.
"I finished my HSC in 2014, and I did initially go to university in Sydney but at the time it just wasn't quite the right fit for me and so I stepped away," she said.
She went on to complete her bachelor's degree at the University of Newcastle after going through the university's pathway program, Open Foundation.
"I'm super excited, I've been looking forward to this day," she said.
Ms Redfern graduated with Class 1 Honours and a University Medal, which are both presented to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement within their program.
"I've always had a fascination with how things were made on a big scale and chemical engineering was all about how do we transform these raw resources into something useful," she said.
Ms Redfern was now getting ready to complete her PhD in chemical engineering.
Sam Bleechmore celebrated finishing his bachelor's degree in data science with his parents, Michael Bleechmore and Caroline Laine.
"We are incredibly proud, he's done so well, moving away from home and achieving so much," Ms Laine said.
Dressed in long robes and fancy hats, the graduates at the University of Newcastle on Wednesday had one thing in common.
Armed with years of study, they just want to help people.
The College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing students were the first of more than 1000 graduates to cross the stage at the Callaghan campus across three days from June 24 to June 26.
Baxter Pattison finished his Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology and was excited to help people through exercise.
"I feel very proud, it has been a long journey to get here, but it was definitely worth it for the people I've met along the way," Mr Pattison said.
He started his university career studying engineering, before swapping to undergraduate sports science.
"We are looking at ways that we can help people with a variety of conditions actually participate in exercise to better their lives," he said.
Mr Pattison was now working a neurological rehab facility in Newcastle.
Fellow graduate Jennifer Pryor flew to Montreal, Canada, as soon as she finished her PhD in immunology and microbiology, but made it back in time for her graduation ceremony.
"It feels really good to have it all be worth something," she said.
"It is nice to come back to where I started and celebrate the graduation."
Dr Pryor had been studying at the University of Newcastle since 2016 before moving to Canada for work six months ago.
She is completing further research on the microbiology of the gut.
"Everyone has personal experiences with gut problems so it is a very interesting place to delve into," she said.
PhD graduate Millicent West had her fan club turn up for Wednesday's ceremony.
Her friends, Renee Putney and Ashlee Reid, sported t-shirts with Dr West's face on them.
"We have never been prouder," Ms Putney said.
Dr West completed her doctorate in exercise and sports science after nine-and-a-half years of study across undergraduate and postgraduate.
"I'm feeling very relieved, I feel like this has been a long time coming," she said.
She was now working full-time with the NRL.
When thinking about her degree, she said "hard work" was what came to mind.
"It's been a bit of a rollercoaster," she said.
"It gave me a passion for sport and a passion for science and numbers, and I just get to combine all that into one."
Vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky congratulated all the graduates' achievements.
"Graduation is always an incredibly special milestone - not just for our students, but for their families and our staff," Professor Zelinsky said.
"It's a time to pause and celebrate every student's achievements as they embark on the next steps in their career."
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