Jazmin O’Leary’s love for agriculture began far beyond the walls of a classroom – it started the moment she set foot on a remote cattle station in North Queensland.
What began as a change in direction after stepping away from an Education degree soon became a new purpose.
Working as a governess on a large-scale cattle operation exposed her to the heart of Australian agriculture, sparking a passion she didn’t know she had.
That passion led her to UniSQ’s Bachelor of Agricultural Technology, where she received an inaugural 2025 Brazil Family Foundation Agricultural Scholarship.
We recently spoke to Jazmin about her path to UniSQ, her aspirations, and how the scholarship has helped shape her academic journey so far.
Tell us about your study journey with UniSQ. Why did you choose to study here?
I’m currently at the end of my first year of study, and my journey to UniSQ is quite interesting. I chose to study at UniSQ because of its unique agricultural program. I was hesitant to pursue further study as I’d completed one year of an education degree and didn’t enjoy it. But the flexible online offerings were really enticing, and the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology caught my attention.
Studying agriculture was something I never thought I’d do. I decided to pursue it after being immersed in the field. After dropping out of my education degree, I moved to North Queensland to work as a governess on a remote cattle station. During my first year, I got to see the operations of a large-scale cattle operation and that ignited my passion for agriculture.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to channel my passion for agriculture. After searching high and low for a program that would suit me, I found UniSQ’s Bachelor of Agricultural Technology. I thought it perfectly blended innovation with the fundamentals of agriculture.
What have you enjoyed most about the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology so far?
Studying online means that sometimes I miss out on hands-on activities, but the residential schools have really made up for that. I’ve completed two residential schools so far, and they’ve been a great opportunity for practical learning and a great way to meet fellow students and staff.
After my second residential school, I decided that I wanted to move to campus and experience university life in person. I enjoyed the student connections so much and loved the atmosphere of in-person classes. I’m unbelievably excited to move to campus soon and experience the campus culture.
What is your dream career?
I don’t have a dream career yet, but I do have goals. I hope to work as a leader in the agricultural industry and make a real impact. I didn’t always want to work in agriculture. In fact, I never really considered it until recently. The catalyst for my interest was working alongside strong primary producers on a cattle station over the past two years. They’ve honestly been the best teachers, giving me hands-on experience and knowledge in the paddocks and in the yards.
You were awarded the Brazil Family Foundation Agricultural Scholarship. How did that come about?
I wish I had a more exciting story, but honestly, one day I saw an email and thought, “Well, I match that description pretty well”. I didn’t think that I would ever get a scholarship – I hadn’t even considered it. I didn’t know there were scholarships available for studying agriculture, but once I found out, I was really excited about the opportunity.
How has the scholarship helped you?
The scholarship has mostly relieved the burden for residential schools and the costs associated for this year. Living quite remotely and a fair distance from university means that I incur quite a lot when travelling for residential schools.
Next year, it’ll also be a huge help with moving and starting a new life in a new city. It’ll mostly assist with accommodation costs and general life basics.
What do you hope to do after finishing university?
I’m honestly not 100% sure yet, and I like the fact that the Bachelor of Agricultural Technology allows me to be unsure because there are so many avenues to explore. I really like that I’m not restricted to just one type of job or even one field. I have the flexibility to explore a range of opportunities. In saying that, I do have a keen interest in animal nutrition and would like to work in that space in the future.
What do you love about Agriculture and how would you like to contribute?
I love that agriculture is so broad and that the jobs within it – along with those that support it – are just as interesting. Being a primary industry, I also take pride in helping produce food for people in Australia and around the world. There’s no industry like it, and I appreciate how unique and special it is.
