Health – it’s big!
There are hundreds of different health study pathways to a career helping people live their best lives.
Below, we look at just two pathways recent health graduates have undertaken to see what amazing opportunities they’ve had and where they’ve ended up working.
Grace Hermocilla, health science graduate – Torrens University
STEM + health study pathway: Diploma of Health Science, Torrens University
Health science student Grace chose to undertake a Diploma in Health Science, and now she’s on her way to a qualification in Chinese medicine. After taking time out from her consulting gig to travel overseas to teach English and then take on humanitarian work, Grace returned to Australia keen for a career change. “When I decided to explore roles in health care, I went to an open day at Torrens University to find out about their Natural Health courses,’ Grace says.
“On that day I learnt about aspects of Chinese medicine, and I realised that its philosophy and everything
about Chinese medicine made sense to me,” she adds The Diploma of Health Science provided the grounding in health she needed. “I came from the corporate sector, so learning subjects including human anatomy and physiology helped me transfer into the industry easily,” Grace says.
The hands-on learning during her Diploma meant choosing to follow it up with a Bachelor of Health
Science was a no-brainer. And if the ‘science’ part of health science has you spooked, don’t be! Torrens University offers Diploma of Health Science students access to its “Science for Success” program, where for one day during O-Week you’ll be able to build basic knowledge on the role of science in health, with a helpful refresher on chemistry and biology!
Elise Martini, exercise physiology graduate – ACU
STEM + health study pathway: Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science / Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Health and Physical Education / Fitness, ACU
Every year, hundreds of students at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) head overseas on community programs. This was the case for Elise, who visited both Timor Leste and Vanuatu for practical placements during her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science at ACU. These placements often see health students from physio, paramedicine, nursing or exercise science working together in community health centres.
In Timor Leste, Elise and fellow students provided PE classes to remote and rural primary schools. “We provided the teachers with resources of new sports games to play and multiple bags of new equipment that could be used at each school,” Elise says.
In Vanuatu, Elise ran community-based exercise classes for local sports teams. “We gained a good understanding of their lifestyle and the barriers they may have to exercise and healthy eating,” Elise says.
From Timor Leste to Indonesia, Vietnam or Vanuatu, ACU’s placement and community engagement programs help students empathise with people from diverse backgrounds and gain a new perspective on how health professionals manage with limited resources.
Today, Elise is as an accredited exercise physiologist in aged care and loves the face-to-face time with her clients.
“I work with a large range of people from different backgrounds, upbringings and experiences and I get to build a trusting rapport with these clients and help them through challenging times,” Elise says.
Versions of these stories first appeared in Careers with STEM: Health
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