A Profile of a Social Work Student: Donna Carder

Donna is in the third year of her Bachelor of Social Work degree.

She joined in 2nd year after completing a TAFE diploma in Community Welfare

"I’ve always wanted to get into the helping professions and my life experience has reinforced this. Health is where I’m heading, especially Grief and Trauma, though ultimately I’d like to move into research and/or social policy."

"I was chosen by three universities but Sydney University has the reputation for producing trail blazers. You get the feeling that you are benefiting from that long tradition and the experience of all the students who came before you."

"I’ve met some absolutely wonderful tutors, some really creative lecturers and a coordinator who really makes me feel valued and listened to."

"As a mature age student this whole experience has been everything from challenging to rewarding. I came from a TAFE background (Diploma in Community Welfare) and the university is a very different environment."

"My children have both come in here on occasions – my daughter watched me give a presentation and it was a great experience to share with her. It’s a struggle sometimes: we’ve got three computers in the house and sometimes it’s not enough. I’ve discussed it with them and my learning is seen as just as important as theirs is."

"I don’t want to save the world; I just want to believe that I can help make a difference for a few people."