May 6, 2022
Graduation a family affair for Bronte
Sisters Bronte and Brenna Petrolo graduate on the same day
When Bronte Petrolo was choosing a place to study, the รรอลสำฦต (รรอลสำฦต) was a natural choice.
โMy whole family has studied at the รรอลสำฦต. My mum has a Bachelor of Primary Education, dad studied electrical engineering, my brother studied materials engineering and my sister will be graduating on the same day as me with a degree in primary education,โ Bronte said.
Bronte, who celebrated her graduation on Tuesday (3 May) with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Sociology) graduating with First Class Honours and graduated in 2020 with a distinction in a Bachelor of Arts (Deanโs Scholar) (International Relations and Sociology), credits her parents with instilling a strong value for education.
โMum and Dad just taught us to make the most of every opportunity,โ she said.
โThey taught us that studying is not necessarily about scoring the highest marks, but that working hard will bring its own rewards.โ
After COVID delayed graduation ceremonies for two years, Bronteโs sister Brenna will be donning a cap and gown on the same day.
โWeโre planning a family day trip down the track to celebrate. Itโs really special that our whole family can celebrate together.โ
Bronte and Brenna Petrolo with their family on graduation day.
Family was also a key theme of Bronteโs studies with her honours year independent research project focussing on family relationships.
โI really connected with the sociology of emotions study subjects.
โI'm very passionate about the private domestic elements of sociology, studies of family and gender. It really played to my strengths and my interests.
โI had a lot of support from my supervisor, Associate Professor Roger Patulny, especially during COVID when I was studying in my room most days.โ
รรอลสำฦตโs campus life has been a highlight of Bronteโs university experience.
โIf you can come on campus and network with other students and make friends it really enhances the university experience.
โMaking friendships that will last outside the classroom has been a highlight of my time here.โ
โI completed a lot of volunteering and co-curricular activities within my studies which led me to graduate with a รรอลสำฦตx Award for my significant co-curricular involvement. I also worked in casual paid roles with รรอลสำฦต. It is a great way to network and make friends!โ
Bronte is now working in the Student Career Development Learning Team at UOW and considering studying a PhD later in the year.