Back in 2020, I was working at a fast-food restaurant as a manager, while raising three kids. I’d spent 11 years working my way up. Then, one day, there was a misunderstanding. My boss came in and screamed at me: “You’ll never amount to anything.”
It was awful. But it was also a very big wake-up call. I had allowed this mistreatment, and that day I decided enough was enough. I was already fighting an uphill battle, and if I wanted to keep growing my skills, I would have to do it myself. So I decided I would go to uni and get a Bachelor of Business. I chose Griffith because they offer many additional support options and amazing resources.
At first, it was a little bit isolating, especially because it was during COVID and I was doing it all online. Plus, I’m the first person in my family to go to university. But I wanted to make the best future possible for my kids. I wanted them to reach higher than I could. So I put in the hard work to show them that they can go to university as well.
I started with just a single business degree in 2021. Then, once I found out I was pregnant with baby number four, I quit my job – I was working at a fast-food restaurant by then – and started doing the Business and International Relations double degree program.
Trying to study with a toddler is absolute pandemonium! I got very good at time management very quickly. I would schedule study strategically while my daughter was asleep. It was crazy trying to balance everything –such as getting the kids to do their homework while I was trying to do my assignments.
Plus, during my pregnancy, I was at a high risk for a uterine rupture. That would have seen me bleeding out within 10 minutes, and my baby being starved of oxygen. I was at the hospital every couple of weeks with numerous bleeds. It was very stressful, and I almost quit many times. But my Griffith friends pushed me to keep going. They said, “You’re too far in already. You can do this.” They held a belief in me that I didn’t hold in myself. Thank goodness for them, because I stuck at it.
In June 2022, I was hired at the University as a PASS Leader. PASS stands for Peer Assisted Study Session. We help students understand how to study the content. The role really fit my psyche as a person – I love teaching and helping people.
Then I received a Brighter Futures Scholarship during my last year, and that took so much pressure off. I bought myself a new laptop – my old one was constantly crashing whenever I tried to watch previous classes or take part in Teams calls. The new one meant that I got more out of my classes and I could study more efficiently, too. The scholarship also helped with bills, food, daycare and travel, and gave me valuable time back with my children as I didn’t need to take on as many shifts.
I finished my double degree in 2023, started my honours degree, and then finished that June last year. I’m doing my PhD on international relations now. My research is centred on the strategic triangle – China, Australia, the US. It’s about how Australia is going to balance that relationship as a middle power. It’s such a spicy topic, and I’m just loving it. And I’m also working as a sessional lecturer in foundation business courses.
Outside of academia, I’m a third-generation racer. My grandfather raced boats, my dad and stepdad both drag race, and I am a bit of a petrol head as well. In 2023 – my final year of undergrad – I was runner-up in back-to-back national events. There’s nothing better than de-stressing from uni by throwing yourself down a drag strip at 260k an hour.
Today, as a staff member of Griffith, I donate to the Brighter Futures Scholarship via the Staff Giving program. Donating is definitely about more than money. There’s a ripple effect. It’s not just a student that you’re helping: my family positively benefited from it as well. The unconditional belief and support that the program gave me has honestly transformed my life.
Want to give back like Sarah? Donate to the Brighter Future Scholarship fund now.
Image captions (top to bottom):
- Sarah Bourke at the 2024 Staff Giving Nathan Welcome Lunch.
- Sarah Bourke at her graduation ceremony.
Published 28 May 2026
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to providing inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all.
Explore more from the newsletter
Stay connected
Keep in touch with your alumni community.
