STEPS - Library - Central Queensland University

The surrender value
Part Three: The student learning journey
While approximately 80% of students go on to enrol in a Bachelor degree
either at CQU or another university, some students opt for another path.
Professor Lauchlan Chipman calls this ‘the surrender value,’ when a
student surrenders the opportunity to go to university, instead choosing to
better themselves in another way using the value that was added to them by
the STEPS program. This might be giving back to the community or
helping a family member. 230
An example of how one student, Kate Kiernan from Gladstone, gave back
to the community as a result of completing the STEPS program is shown
below:
I entered the 2004 Harbour Festival Queen Quest. I would have
never entered this fundraising contest with the lack of confidence
that I used to have. STEPS helped me with my book keeping,
writing letters for sponsorships as well as public speaking. I ended
up raising $27,000 for charity. 231
Suellen Florer completed STEPS in 1990 and, instead of starting a degree,
opted for a different path:
I completed STEPS in 1990 and was offered a position at university
to complete a Bachelor of Arts. Unfortunately, family commitments
changed and I was unable to take up the position. However, I still
found that the program was a valued experience that gave me
confidence in many areas of my life. I continued on with my love of
writing and have had work published in nine different anthologies
(along with other authors). These works included short stories,
poems, anecdotes and limericks. I’ve won competitions from ABC
radio with limericks and had other works published in magazines.
I’ve also been able to help others who have struggled with English
as a language or a school subject. The STEPS program’s primary
function in enabling people to further their studies to enter university
is certainly worthwhile on its own, but it can also have a positive
effect in other areas of people’s lives. 232
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