Graduate Testimonials

Elaine now works as an Employment Services Officer for Health Corporate Network, a position she attributes to her progression towards a Human Resources degree.

"I always wanted to do a degree and I wanted a career change into Human Resources. A Bachelor of Business was the obvious choice," she says.

"My progression towards a degree got me the HR position at Women's and Children's Health Service and as a consequence, relocation to my current position. If it hadn't been for my studies I would not have been considered.

"It was hard at times juggling work, family and the pressure of handing in good work, but at the same time I wouldn't change it, because it got me where I wanted to go."

"During my three years at the academy, I had many opportunities in Perth and internationally, which gave me lots of exposure and a further understanding of dance," she says.

"I travelled on exchange to Purchase College in New York, USA, where I was fortunate enough to have my first professional experience. WAAPA was a participating tertiary academy in the Hong Kong Dance Festival in 2006 and WAAPA also supported my attendance to the TAIPEIDEA intensive workshops in Taiwan.

"Charmene is currently travelling throughout Australia alongside various established independent artists and dance companies.

"I have also continued working with rising choreographer Tanja Liedtke whom I first met in Taiwan, performed with regional company Dance North and am pursuing the possibility of working in Malaysia. The bottom line is, after only a year as a professional, I am already on the path I want to head in life, thanks to WAAPA , a home that nurtures and celebrates art and artists."

This is exactly what happened to ECU Graduate Natalie Fisher, who completed her practicum with the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) and now has a career with them. Natalie says she knew she wanted to work in the Law and Justice field but she was not sure which direction to take.

"If you are at all in doubt the practicum definitely gives you the opportunity to work out if you are suited to the career you think you may want to pursue," she says.

"During the practicum, I was involved in lots of meetings and was introduced to people to try and help with future job prospects," she said. "This happened all the time and it was really comforting to know they wanted to help.

"Natalie also got involved with compiling information for research projects and felt she was making a real contribution rather than just observing work practices. Her hard work and great attitude impressed the CCC and now she works closely with the Commissioner and is training to assist in hearings and other formal activities.

Dr. Irene Froyland, Director of Corruption Prevention, Education and Research at the CCC says the practicum introduces students to the real world.

"The practicum experience gives students a reality check and exposes them to the culture of a legal working environment."

ECU is the only university in WA and one of a handful of universities across Australia which offers a specialised Bachelor in Criminology and Justice. It is designed in close consultation with the Department of Justice and the West Australian Police and other key stakeholders and potential employers.

"The nutrition course at ECU was exactly what I was interested in and I wanted to learn more about it. I absolutely loved my degree especially the practical cooking sessions in the labs!"

Steph says with help from the professional and dedicated lecturers and tutors at ECU her motivation was enhanced by ongoing support and as a graduate she felt well equipped for the workforce.

"We were encouraged by our lecturers to do work experience, in order to get a taste of the ‘real world’. I volunteered for Nutrition Australia in my final year on the ‘Cooking for One or Two’ program which is designed to encourage war veterans and senior citizens to cook healthy meals at home through a series of cooking classes. After graduating as a Nutritionist, I got the permanent position of Administrative Assistant for the ‘Cooking for One or Two’ Program at Nutrition Australia."

Steph has now gone onto further study with a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion at ECU.

"My journey to complete my studies was a bit longer than others as I tried to balance studies, working many different jobs and raising a family," she says.

"It was difficult at times to maintain this balance, but the rewards have far outweighed anything. I developed some great friendships whilst studying and continue those today."

Susan wanted to work more with children for a very long time and thought education was her only option until she learned about the Bachelor of Social Sciences at ECU.

"Through this course, I developed a love for learning and the ability to be analytical in my thinking. These have been essential attributes in all my work environments.

"My experience of being a child care worker has grounded me and provided the opportunity to develop many skills that have been transferable to other jobs.

"My passion for children, families and communities will always continue, whatever future paths I choose, because I know I am working in an area that I really want to be in.

From advertising, direct marketing, shopping centre displays, media releases, slide shows and interviewing talent, she covers the whole gamut of responsibilities for the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.

"In this job you do it all," she says. "It's lots of fun and I take every opportunity to meet the acts and make them feel welcome. Of course I want to get an autograph or two, but the most rewarding thing is that there's never a dull moment, with new acts coming in all the time and marketing trends always changing.

"Elle says she wasted no time at uni and took full advantage of the thriving arts community at hand, which is what landed her the job.

"The support provided to people studying the arts at ECU's South West Campus is second to none. Students have access to the best of both worlds - worldly teachings with small-town accessibility."

"My supervisor was very perceptive and provided much needed support. I had my own office and I was offered financial assistance through an ECU Research Scholarship," she says ."I also became part of a writers group that was incredibly helpful and productive and still remain in contact with the members of that group today. Each of them have also had their own career success as novelists."

Annabel says without her PhD she would not have had the many opportunities and experiences that have come her way since graduating, including being part of the Perth International Arts Festival, where she toured the South-West as a program speaker.

After starting in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) at ECU he knew he would be happy with his newly chosen career path. From the very beginning I realised that this was the right course for me,"he says. "By the time I decided to also do my Masters, ECU had become my home and I felt comfortable there as a mature age student."

"The three years it took me to complete my masters became very important years for my professional maturity and development. I was also very grateful for being sent on many work placements through the school."

After graduating, Ivan got the first job he applied for as a psychologist. He credits ECU with giving him the skills, knowledge and professionalism to work in his chosen field with confidence.

He helped form the Wine Industry Environmental Management Focus Group, which works on developing relationships between industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities, to ensure environmental information is made available to the industry.

Jean Michel also represents Western Australia on the Wine Industry National Environment Committee (WINEC), which sets the strategic policy for the Winemakers Federation of Australia (WFA) in relation to environmental issues. His qualifications and experience to date has now led him to take the next step in his career, moving to Victoria where he will be involved in project managing the construction of a new treatment plant at the Evan's and Tate Griffith winery, and responsible for significantly reducing the environmental impacts resulting from wastewater disposal at their Mildura winery.

"ECU provides excellent services to those who study off campus," she says. "I was able to develop a good rapport with all my unit coordinators even though most of our contact was through phone and email.

Patricia now uses her skills and knowledge to encourage, healthy lifestyle habits among her community, advising people on how to give up alcohol, eat well and exercise regularly for better health.