Vixens’ netballer Jo Weston on balancing an elite career with study
Deakin supports your education while you’re working on your career—whether through flexible study options or even if you’re an elite athlete.
We’re continuing to highlight the lifelong learning journeys of Deakin students, researchers and alumni. Previously, we followed Dr Kira Hughes‘s path from almost failing chemistry to completing a PhD and developing life-saving technology.
This time, we hear how Jo Weston balances life as a professional netballer for the Melbourne Vixens and Australian Diamonds while completing postgraduate study.
Securing a future beyond sport
Preparing for her future through education has always been important for Jo:
‘I’ve always wanted to further myself or upskill for when I finish sport. Playing sport is not a forever career, and we’re not in a sport where you can maximise your earnings whilst you’re playing and set yourself up for post sport. For us, you’re always living within your means and looking [for] future employment.
I want to make sure future employers look at me and think, “wow, Jo’s been out of the workforce for a while, but she’s been trying to prioritise growing herself, further education and different experiences”.’
That long-term mindset has shaped her study choices.
Expanding expertise
Jo hasn’t limited her studies and expertise to one area. After completing a Bachelor of Commerce and working for an accounting firm early in her career, she is studying a Master of Communication at Deakin:
‘I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I came from a finance background, which is a numbers space and Master of Communication is different—you write a lot more words. I’m majoring in public relations, but I’ve found interest in corporate affairs and crisis management.
I’m learning the hard way, but it’s been a great pursuit for me. It’s made me more rounded, research orientated, capable of forming my own opinions and able to articulate myself.’
Study flexibility
Deakin’s flexible study options have helped Jo balance the demands of professional sport with study:
‘Without schedules in terms of training [I’m] mainly doing subjects online, which has been great [with] the flexibility that’s offered. Driving from training and getting to classes, and then also feeling [that] after running around for two to three hours, my concentration isn’t quite there. I need a little rest.
Being able to come back [and] listen to the recordings or feel like I can get involved around our training has been great, versus feeling like I’m just trying to fit everything in all on one day. Staggering it and [going at] my own pace has been most beneficial. I’ve already taken five years to do a two-year degree.’
Crossover between sport and studies
Jo has even found chances to connect her studies to sport:
‘I did one of my assessments on the National Rugby League (NRL)’s team in Papua New Guinea and sport diplomacy has been interesting for me. I’m fascinated by how that progresses a sport and where there’s a crossover.’
She’s also using the communication skills she’s gained to promote sport and netball:
‘I feel like it’s enabled me to communicate better and relate to people a little more, and I hope that comes across when we’re out in the community. Trying to pull out common threads to tell stories is normally a way to get people to watch or come along or just share what netball and sport has been a big part of the last couple of years.’
Stories of Wonder
Find out more about Jo’s learning journey, as well as many others, in the Stories of Wonder series:
‘Stories of Wonder’ is a multimedia series celebrating the impact Deakin students, alumni, researchers and staff are making in the world, hosted by Deakin alumni Don Hennequin.
Keep an eye out for future lifelong learning stories published here on the Deakin Life blog.
Balancing your studies and career
Deakin supports you to succeed in both your studies and career:
- Study when, where and how it suits you with flexible study options.
- Balance study and elite sport through the Deakin Elite Athlete Program.