The 49-year-old completed his studies at Charles Sturt last year however all the university's graduation ceremonies were postponed due to COVID-19, but they've been rescheduled and he will finally have the chance to formally accept his degree.

He's not just been waiting as a result of the pandemic, Mr Taylor has been working in the IT sector since he was 16 but it was almost a decade ago that he began his part-time studies, juggling them between work and raising a family.

"I love writing software but in 34 years I've only managed a couple of jobs I really enjoyed, and they were both before I was 30," Mr Taylor said.

"At the time my children were all over eight, I was working from home full-time and I was desperate for a new job (so) it seemed like a good time to try and finally finish this degree.

"What I appreciated most was the flexibility Charles Sturt showed me - that's ultimately what allowed me to finish the degree.

"I'm attending my graduation ceremony because this degree has been a long time coming and I'm the first in my family to graduate from university, none of us even finished school so I want to mark the occasion."

Although an undeniably happy, and proud moment, Mr Taylor said there is one element of his graduation that will be somewhat bittersweet.

"Although my wife and in-laws are pleased, I wish I'd finished it while my parents were still around because they'd have been thrilled," he said.

Since completing his degree Mr Taylor has landed his dream job, in the digital agriculture team at the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

"We're quite settled in Orange, so to get such a great job locally is amazing," he said.

"I've only been with the team for a month and I've already had more fun than in the last 15 years, work-wise."

Mr Taylor is one of almost 600 graduates attending a ceremony at Bathurst next week, with eight scheduled at that campus and several more at Wagga Wagga as well.

"Graduation ceremonies are an important life-changing milestone," Professor John Germov, Charles Sturt's interim vice-chancellor, siad.

"Not only do they mark the successful completion of one's current academic journey, they also signal the start of a new phase of life as our graduates apply their newfound capabilities to shape the world of tomorrow.

"That's why we made it a priority to confirm the rescheduled events for our 2020 graduates and have made every effort to give them as much opportunity as possible to plan to get to their ceremony.

"I would like to congratulate the class of 2020 and say on behalf of Charles Sturt University that we look forward to celebrating your outstanding achievements with you soon."

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