Five years ago solo mum Jess Shirley made a decision that completely changed her life.
The then 32-year-old Nelson mother of two young children (aged five and seven) was, in her words, "broke and not in a good place. I had no confidence and had recently come out of a relationship.
"I was anxious and didn't like being around lots of people."
Then Shirley decided to follow her dream. She took the plunge into a digital photography course through TANZ eCampus, an online tertiary education service accredited through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
"It gave me the confidence to start study from the safety of my own home and without having to go into a classroom," she says. "It certainly put my life on a whole different trajectory."
Achieving a diploma in digital photography after studying for two years through TANZ, Shirley is now living a dream she has long had - running her own freelance photography business including assignments for the Admire fashion magazine.
She also attained a New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary education at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), where she now teaches digital photography, video production and web design - and she is back at TANZ eCampus, this time as a facilitator helping others work through their online courses.
This is all a long way from where she was five years ago. Having to raise two young children by herself, she took any job she could to make ends meet including working in retail and cleaning motels.
"I know I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't gone for the option of studying online," she says. "With full time study not possible, it meant I could fit it in around work and the kids.
"I absolutely loved it. Being able to study from home in my own time was hugely beneficial; there was great support and it also gave me industry links which have been very useful in helping establish my business.
"It completely changed my life, it gave me meaning and purpose," she says. "It also gave me the confidence to eventually study in a classroom (at NMIT).
"I think it is really important to have a dream and a goal to achieve. I would never have imagined this future for me, but the reality is with study you just never know where you will end up. That's what makes it so special."
TANZ eCampus marketing manager Lee Retimana says Shirley's example is testament to the power of online learning in helping people gain the self-confidence and belief to achieve their work, life and family goals.