From accountancy to ancient history
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Peter Edwell at the fortress of Zenobia on the middle Euphrates in Syria. |
Thinking about a change of career? It's never too late. One Macquarie University lecturer made the jump from accountancy to ancient history and it has changed his life.
Practicality saw Dr Peter Edwell embark on a career in accounting following his Higher School Certificate.
"I'd done well in economics in the HSC and got an accounting traineeship, so I thought I'd do an accounting degree and see how it went," says Edwell who worked full-time through the degree.
History at Macquarie
By the age of 25, Edwell realised that accountancy wasn't what he wanted to do, and after seeing an advertisement for history at Macquarie University, decided to undertake his second part-time undergraduate degree.
"I initially came to Macquarie University to do a Bachelor of Arts majoring in modern history and thought I'd take a Roman history subject as I believe that to understand the modern world you have to learn about the ancient world," says Edwell. "I took the subject, fell in love with ancient history and changed my major."
When he completed his Bachelor of Arts, Edwell was invited to apply for Honours and was accepted. He was then asked to submit an application for a PhD scholarship. Once again Edwell proved successful and it was during this doctoral study that he was offered an Associate Lectureship in the Department of Ancient History.
PhD study and funding
Edwell recently completed his PhD on the Roman and Persian struggle for control of Mesopotamia and Syria in the third century AD and is set to graduate in April.
While undertaking his research, Edwell had three fully-funded trips to Syria, Turkey and Lebanon. "The generosity of funding that comes from Macquarie University for postgraduate study and travel is fantastic," says Edwell. "I would think it is the best in the country."
Teaching in two disciplines
While employed by the Department of Ancient History, Edwell hasn't completely turned his back on accountancy, tutoring students undertaking 300 level auditing subjects.
"They are both very different areas, both in terms of environment and students backgrounds," says Edwell. "I really enjoy the challenge of teaching across both disciplines and believe that I've learned a lot about teaching in both."
Life changing
"In many ways the PhD changed my life," says Edwell. "I didn't think starting my second undergraduate degree was going to change my career path at all. I had so many people telling me that an academic career was impossible. I sometimes have to pinch myself to remind me where I am. I certainly didn't think I'd do my PhD or even get a job here on staff. It's been a real surprise and a great experience."
For further information contact Peter Edwell on: peter.edwell@mq.edu.au or visit the Ancient History website: www.anchist.mq.edu.au/index.htm