Melbourne Polytechnic is proud to congratulate Hannah Coad, recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Business, Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Student of the Year Award for her studies in Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) 22477VIC. Her remarkable journey from myotherapy to building design demonstrates the transformative power of vocational education and the opportunities available through TAFE study.
Hannah's path to success began with a thoughtful career transition. After eight years as a myotherapist, she recognised that the physical demands of her profession were taking their toll. Rather than accepting the limitations and staying in her career, she chose to explore new possibilities that would utilise her people skills and problem-solving abilities in a different field.
"Career change is not an easy thing, but when I made the decision, I was really sure about it," Hannah explains. Her intentional approach to selecting building design as her new career path reflects the mature perspective she brought to her studies.
Hannah's choice of Melbourne Polytechnic over traditional university study was deliberate and well-informed. Having completed university study for her myotherapy qualification years earlier, she understood her learning preferences better as an adult student.
The practical, hands-on approach of TAFE education aligned perfectly with how she learns best. "I was like, why haven't I thought about TAFE before now?" she reflects. The course structure, which emphasised in-person learning and practical application rather than remote study, proved ideal for her educational goals.
One of the key factors in Hannah's success was the strong industry connection embedded in the Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) 22477VIC. All lecturers continue working in the field, bringing real-world experience directly into the classroom. Students regularly tour construction sites and speak to industry practitioners working in the field, ensuring they understand what their future jobs will actually involve.
This industry exposure proved invaluable when Hannah and her classmates gained access to the Preston Crossing construction site. Walking through a multi-story building under construction, complete with crane operations and slab preparations, provided the kind of practical insight that traditional academic study cannot offer.
Hannah's excellence didn't go unnoticed. Before receiving the Outstanding Student award, she won recognition from Design Matters, the governing body for building designers, representing Melbourne Polytechnic's 2024 cohort. This industry acknowledgment led to her nomination for the broader departmental award. "To have it recognised is really nice," Hannah says about her academic achievements. The recognition gives her confidence as she prepares to enter the workforce, knowing that both educators and industry professionals have noticed her dedication and capability.
Hannah's studies have fundamentally changed how she experiences the world around her. Where she once might have simply appreciated beautiful design through social media, she now understands the complex processes behind every building project.
"Now when I walk around, it's a lot slower, but you take a lot more in," she explains. Construction sites prompt thoughts about project stages, while heritage buildings reveal their structural stories and the care taken in their preservation.
Hannah's advice for aspiring students is refreshingly straightforward: "Just turn up and embrace the challenge." She emphasises that difficult or scary aspects of study often lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
Her success story demonstrates that TAFE education provides excellent pathways for career changers, mature students and anyone seeking practical, industry-connected training that leads directly to employment opportunities.
Hannah’s recognition as Outstanding Student of the Year reflects the strength of vocational education and what can be achieved when dedication is paired with hands-on learning.
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Architecture, Building Design and Construction courses have been developed with industry to teach you the skills to build a successful career.