Preparing for a career in community services

Summary

Skye Gooch, an Aboriginal woman from Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung land, shares her journey in the community services sector. She describes how her personal and academic experiences at Victorian University Polytech, particularly the hands-on approach and focus on social justice, led to her career. With a passion for supporting others, Skye discusses how her studies, including a Community Services Diploma, set the foundation for her Bachelor of Social Work. Now, as a program manager at Djirra, she finds great fulfillment in applying her knowledge to make real-life changes in her community.

Takeaways

• 😀 Skye Gooch is an Aboriginal woman from the West, born and raised on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung land.
• 😀 Skye works as the program manager of the individual support program at Djirra, which focuses on family violence case management.
• 😀 The decision to study her course was influenced by her interest in the field and her sister's positive experience with the same course.
• 😀 The course was hands-on and in-person, with many activities, and emphasized social justice through local community engagement.
• 😀 Skye's second placement led to a job offer, highlighting the importance of networking and real-world connections.
• 😀 What Skye enjoyed most about studying at Victorian University Polytech was the real-life experience of the teachers, especially those from the social work sector.
• 😀 The Community Services Diploma provided a solid foundation that helped Skye transition smoothly into her Bachelor of Social Work.
• 😀 Returning to university as a mature-age Aboriginal student was a significant personal step for Skye, especially in paving the way for younger generations.
• 😀 Working in the community service sector is deeply rewarding for Skye, as she gets to apply her knowledge and make tangible differences in people's lives.
• 😀 Skye finds it fulfilling to see the real-life impact of her work and the positive changes in the clients she helps through her role.

Q & A

What is Skye Gooch's role at Djirra?

Skye Gooch is the Programme Manager for the Individual Support Programme at Djirra, which is a family violence case management team.

Why did Skye Gooch choose to study the course she did?

Skye chose the course because she wanted to work in the field of community services and was inspired by her sister, who had completed the course before her and spoke highly of it.

What aspects of the course did Skye enjoy the most?

Skye enjoyed the hands-on, in-person, and face-to-face nature of the course. She appreciated the activities and the focus on social justice, such as organizing protests and engaging with the Footscray community.

How did Skye's placement experience contribute to her career?

Skye's placement experience was instrumental in her career, as she was offered a job after her second placement, which helped set her on the path she is currently on.

What did Skye find most beneficial about her time studying at Victorian University Polytech?

Skye found the real-life experience of the teachers to be the most beneficial aspect of her studies at Victorian University Polytech. The social workers shared valuable insights about working in the sector and dealing with clients.

How did Skye's Community Services Diploma help her in further education?

Her Community Services Diploma provided a strong foundation for her Bachelor's in Social Work, making the transition into the bachelor’s program easier and more effective.

What was the significance of returning to university as a mature age student for Skye?

Returning to university as a mature age student was a significant step for Skye, particularly as an Aboriginal person. She feels it has set a path for future generations, showing that it is possible to pursue higher education later in life.

How does Skye feel about working in the community service sector?

Skye finds working in the community service sector to be amazing and rewarding. She values the opportunity to apply her knowledge in real-life settings and witness positive changes in the people she works with.

What specific theories did Skye find most useful in her work?

Skye found the theories she learned during her studies to be incredibly useful, as they allowed her to make a tangible impact on the clients she works with in the community services sector.

How has Skye's background as an Aboriginal woman influenced her career choices?

As an Aboriginal woman, Skye’s background has influenced her career choices by motivating her to return to study and make a difference in the community, setting a path for younger generations in her community to follow.