Graduate Opportunities

University attended: James Cook University.

Cheryl is a social worker and case manager at Kirwan Community Mental Health in Townsville, North Queensland. After completing her undergraduate degree she spent a year in rural practice at Cherbourg Community Health as part of the Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme, and is currently also completing her Masters in Mental Health at Griffith University.

What are your responsibilities at Kirwan Community Mental Health?

I am responsible for supporting people who have a mental illness to live healthy and fulfilling lives in their community. For example, I often link people into other services in their community, provide education to help people understand the impacts of a mental illness and assist families and carers.

Describe the year you spent working in a remote Aboriginal community.

As a non-Indigenous person I began working in Cherbourg listening and observing for quite a few months. This important learning began my understanding about working in an Aboriginal community – I learnt so much from everyone I came in contact with. It was very much a community development role, and included conducting activities such as a Women’s Healing Camp, a ‘Resourceful Adolescent Program’ (RAP) of two fun-filled days with teenagers and their parents, and a film and singing afternoon with the Kingaroy community in response to the Prime Minister’s national apology to the Stolen Generations. There were many laughs, some tears, but most of all I had an experience and achieved goals I would never have imagined I could have done in my first year of employment. Cherbourg gave me a challenging and fulfilling year.

What were the benefits of completing field placements as part of your undergraduate degree?

Field placements give you a taste of what your career has to offer in a safe and supportive role. This is where you can make mistakes, ask all the ‘silly’ questions and most importantly build your networks. No matter what area you work in, you need to get to know your colleagues in other organisations; you will need them one day.

What motivated you to undertake a postgraduate degree?

I continue to meet people who will never have the opportunity and/or ability to access tertiary education. Since I have that opportunity I want to take advantage of it. Learning creates so many more opportunities; I have enjoyed all the opportunities I have had so far, so why not!

What’s the best career advice you would offer to others?

Someone whom I respected told me I could go to university. I did not believe them but I tried and succeeded. If you want to go to university and are prepared to make some sacrifices, you will succeed and have the time of your life.