'I’m aiming to become a Learning and Development Consultant, combining my passion for education with business, designing training that lifts safety, performance, and engagement.'
– Caleb Marriott, Bachelor of Business student and scholarship recipient
Growing up in the small town of Meringandan, just outside Toowoomba, Caleb always felt a pull toward teaching and development.
That passion first took shape at 15, when he picked up his very first job at McDonald’s.
By 18, Caleb was leading teams of up to 40 as a Shift Manager, building culture, handling pressure, and discovering that leadership was about more than just ticking boxes. It was about people.
He thought he might one day become a teacher. Instead, he found his ‘classroom’ on the restaurant floor, onboarding new crew members and creating an environment for them to succeed.
Studying a Bachelor of Business at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) became the perfect next step. He knew that majoring in Human Resources and Leadership would be a great way to bring his passion for education and people together.
His ability to fully engage in his studies has been supported by the 2025 Heritage Bank Peter Cleary Memorial Scholarship.
“The congratulations email was a revelation. It validated the late nights and long shifts and reminded me that hard work builds,” he said.
"The scholarship eased pressure so I could focus on my studies and say yes to deep learning.”
With this support, Caleb has maintained a GPA of 6.06 and is determined to raise it even higher in his final year.
The scholarship has also allowed him to reduce his work hours and engage more with the UniSQ community.
“I’ve been able to meet with leaders, support first-year students and really invest in the deep work that turns good results into great ones,” he said.
Outside UniSQ, Caleb dedicates time to helping McDonald’s with career fairs and recruitment, hoping to inspire people of all ages to step into leadership roles close to home.
When it comes to his future career aspirations, Caleb’s excited to use what he’s learned to help regional workplaces thrive.
“After graduation, I’m aiming to become a Learning and Development Consultant, combining my passion for education with business, designing training that lifts safety, performance, and engagement,” he said.
Long-term, he hopes to return to UniSQ to complete a Graduate Diploma in Education.
“Lifelong learning is the goal. I want to keep teaching and keep being taught,” he said.
Grateful for support he’s received, Caleb is determined to use the opportunities he’s been given to continue opening doors for others.
“I’m excited to pay this forward by building workplaces where people thrive and keeping talent close to home in regional areas like Toowoomba,” he said.
“The scholarship is succeeding through the people I train and the teams I lead.”
