What our students say
Kane Alderson
Kane Alderson was looking for a course that would lead to a “hands-on, person to person” career when he attended Mildura’s Open Day as a Year 12 student. There he spoke to Paula Bruce, who coordinates the Social Work program.
She gave him advice on the course and careers, and explained the pathway to a social work qualification, which typically begins with two years in the Bachelor of Arts. Kane realised it was the course for him and is now completing social work subjects in his arts degree as well as politics, history, psychology and sociology in preparation for his transfer into the two-year Bachelor of Social Work. Kane explains the arts subjects “are really useful, as they give you a theoretical understanding of how societies and communities relate and work together”.
Through the Social Work program Kane has already found some casual work and also plans on using his upcoming clinical placements to explore the areas of mental health, working with the ageing population and also child protection services to work out which area he is best suited to.
Kane explains staying in Mildura was important to him as he has friends and family there. His café job places him at the heart of Mildura’s cultural and recreational life, and when asked to describe Mildura he says “I love it! I was born and raised in the country, but I like to be around people and involved in things; Mildura gives me
the best of both worlds”.
After completing his degree Kane would like to travel and work, and he expects his Social Work degree will give him an advantage in finding work overseas.
Janette Robinson
Janette Robinson is in her third year of a Bachelor of Business and says a major benefit of studying at La Trobe Mildura is the small class sizes; “this is fabulous for one-on-one teaching. And because lecturers and tutors quickly get to know their students they learn which subjects students need more assistance with”.
Janette points to another benefit to studying at Mildura, saying ”La Trobe Mildura has a close-knit networking system with strong links between local businesses and the La Trobe community”. Indeed, most students studying business and commerce find employment in their industry before actually graduating. The flexibility and supportive nature of the campus has been important to Janette, especially because she is a mother to a toddler, Jasmine. She says, “all the students and staff are welcoming of Jasmine. I definitely feel when they ask if I want help and assistance with anything they really do mean it and I can take them up on the offer.”
Janette is also the president of the Mildura Students Association. The MSA organise all kinds of social events and activities for students such as a Relay For Life team, O Week BBQs, the graduation dinner and heaps of parties. They also financially support other student clubs and societies. Janette says the benefits of being involved in the MSA are “it gives students life-long friendships, an opportunity to be part of something, enrichment, leadership opportunities and hands-on experience”.
