Human Studies Graduates
Shici Tian
At 16, Shici moved from China to Australia to pursue her high school education. For five years, she lived with an Australian family, immersing herself in a new culture. This experience allowed her to embrace her true self, feeling understood and accepted like never before.
In Australia, Shici found the freedom to define herself beyond traditional frameworks, while still valuing her family's unwavering support. Her Buddhist faith's emphasis on inclusiveness and empathy inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Community Services.
After completing her degree, Shici became a Child Protection Case Practice Support Worker with the Victorian State Government. Her role involves assisting children and families during visits and identifying potential risks to protect children. She finds immense fulfillment in making a meaningful impact on vulnerable children and families.
Shici aims to advance in her field, aspiring to become a Child Protection Practitioner, then an Advanced Practitioner, and eventually a Senior Practitioner.
Reflecting on her time at Acknowledge Education, Shici fondly remembers the unwavering support from her lecturers. Their patience and guidance were instrumental in her success, providing a strong foundation for her current role.
For aspiring students, Shici advises: Be enthusiastic and sincere about your profession and chosen career. It is incredibly rewarding to use your knowledge and skills to support society and families in need.
Varun Joshi
Varun grew up in a family that instilled in him the values of resilience and adaptability, essential for success in life. His upbringing also emphasized cultural pride and identity, fostering a strong, close-knit bond with his family.
When Varun began his Bachelor of Community Services, he knew his passion lay in Family Services. Today, he is a dedicated Family Services Case Manager at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) in Wangaratta, regional Victoria. In this role, Varun works within an integrated family services team to support Aboriginal individuals and families referred to the program. He collaborates closely with clients, key partners, and stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to Aboriginal children and families, addressing their specific needs.
Varun offers two key pieces of advice to aspiring students: build a professional network through LinkedIn, and prioritize self-care. "Helping those in need can be draining and impactful; you must take care of yourself to effectively care for others," he says.
Varun never forgets the supportive student services at Acknowledge Education that helped him during his studies. The institution assisted him in finding suitable and meaningful placements, which led to the job he loves today. Beyond his educational achievements, Varun serves as a youth representative for the Victorian Multicultural Commission and recently joined the board of a local youth organization, NESAY, aiming to improve the lives of youth in the area.
Varun's future is bright in a region known for its beautiful natural surroundings, multicultural environment, and abundant work opportunities. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, community, and dedication.
Velicient Jebet Kirui
As an international student, Jebet moved to Australia in 2017 from Kenya, enriching her perspective and enabling her to bring diverse insights to Velie Healthcare Services which Jebet is headed as CEO. She became an Australian citizen on May 22, 2024, in Camden municipality, Greater Western Sydney.
As the CEO of Velie Healthcare Services, a registered NDIS provider, Jebet leads a team dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health needs. Her family's values of compassion, empathy, and resilience, rooted in her cultural background, inspire her work and the inclusive, respectful principles of the organization.
Two significant achievements Jebet made after completing Bachelor of Community Services are:
1. Establishing Velie Healthcare Services as a trusted provider, which has been fulfilling due to the positive impact on clients.
2. Fostering a supportive, professional team environment, particularly for students from Acknowledge Education, providing growth opportunities.
Advice for aspiring students includes following your passion, gaining practical experience, continuous learning, building a strong network, and being resilient.
Living and studying in Australia offers numerous benefits such as high-quality education, cultural diversity, a high standard of living, work opportunities, natural beauty, research opportunities, and comprehensive student support services. Acknowledge Education helped me settle in through orientation programs, robust student support, cultural integration, language support, practical assistance, and community-building initiatives.
Looking ahead, Jebet aims to expand its services, enhance training and development, increase community outreach, and integrate new technologies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency for Velie Heatlhcare Services.
Mai Pham
During and after my final placement at the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association in September, which Acknowledge Education helped to arrange, I have received offers to work on multiple projects and later got promoted to a full-time position. I have been working as a CHSP service coordinator and, at the same time, co-facilitating social groups for older people who live with dementia.
It was an honour for our group to receive a Community Grant from Maribyrnong Council where I had the privilege to meet Maribyrnong’s Mayor at the celebration event. It was such a rewarding journey at Acknowledge Education, where doors like these are opened and you can be sure that all the hard work will one day bear fruit.