Why I chose to study a Master of Social Work in Australia

Ifeyinwa already understood the difference the right support could make. 

With a background in psychology and experience working with children with additional needs, she had seen the complex challenges individuals and families can face. 

She knew she wanted to help. But she also understood that good intentions could only take her so far. 

“Working with vulnerable people, you need to have the needed skills,” Ifeyinwa says. 

“It’s not just about compassion or empathy. There are some professional skills or ethics that one needs to know and have.” 

That understanding led her to study the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) at Federation University. 

Now, she is developing the professional knowledge, ethical judgement and practical experience to support people through difficult periods in their lives. Along the way, she is also finding the confidence to speak up, share her perspective and become the kind of social worker she hopes to be. 

Turning care into professional practice 

Ifeyinwa’s interest in social work grew from her previous studies and work experience. 

“I have a background in psychology and work experience working with children with additional needs,” she says. 

“I got interested in working with vulnerable people, and I feel like social work makes me that person who helps vulnerable individuals.” 

Her experience showed her that effective support requires more than care or empathy. Social workers need to communicate clearly, think critically, reflect on their decisions and understand the ethical responsibilities that come with supporting vulnerable people. 

The course is helping her build those capabilities. 

“Social work gives me all of those things, and not just passion or compassion. There’s professional training,” she says. 

For Ifeyinwa, this has made the degree an investment in both her career and her personal growth. 

“A social worker needs to be reflective and able to communicate well.  In class we focus on critical thinking, communication and presentation skills, which is helping me build my confidence,” she says. 

“I think it’s not just an investment for me professionally, but it’s an investment for me personally, all around.” 

Why she chose to study in Australia 

When Ifeyinwa began considering postgraduate study, Australia stood out for its education and multicultural community. 

“I decided to study in Australia because of its reputation when it comes to academic quality and also because of the multicultural nature of the country,” she says. 

She researched universities independently and spoke with an education agent to compare her options. 

Federation University appeared in both. 

“I did my own personal research,” she says. “Federation University was part of it, and it was also one of the options the agent gave to me.” 

But it was not simply appearing on a list that convinced her. 

Ifeyinwa wanted a university where she could build genuine relationships with her lecturers and receive guidance that reflected her individual needs. 

Finding personalised support 

Since beginning her studies, the connection Ifeyinwa hoped to find has become an important part of her university experience. 

Her lecturers know who she is. She can ask questions, receive direct feedback and seek support when she needs it. 

“Your lecturers know you and are able to give you personalised support or assistance,” she says. 

“I think it’s very good and important for any student.” 

That interaction is especially valuable in social work, where learning involves examining complex situations, considering different perspectives and reflecting on how professional decisions may affect others. 

Smaller classes give students more opportunities to contribute to discussions and learn from one another. 

“We all share our different opinions about things, and we are learning from each other because of that smaller classroom size,” Ifeyinwa says. 

“You get to meet people from different races and different communities.” 

For someone preparing to support people from varied backgrounds, those conversations have become part of her professional preparation. They remind her to listen first and avoid if everyone will understand or experience a situation in the same way. 

Gaining experience through professional placement 

Professional placement was another major reason Ifeyinwa chose the course. 

She knew it would give her the chance to apply what she learned in a workplace and gain valuable experience in the Australian social work sector. 

“I knew that I was going to have placement,” she says. 

“It was going to give me that Australian work experience, which is actually very good and very important.” 

What she did not know at first was that Federation’s Paid Placement Support Guarantee would provide financial support during her mandatory placement. 

“When I saw that with my admission, it was very good,” she says. 

For international students, placement can be one of the most valuable parts of a degree, but balancing those hours with living costs can also be challenging. 

Federation’s Paid Placement Support Guarantee helps ease some of that pressure through either an industry-paid placement or a Placement Support Scholarship. For eligible postgraduate international students, this can provide up to $5,000 in support across their course. 

For Ifeyinwa, it means gaining the professional experience she came to Australia for with greater financial support behind her. 

Finding the confidence to speak 

Some of Ifeyinwa’s most important progress has happened in the classroom. 

“I can be shy sometimes,” she says. 

So when students were asked to give a presentation in their first class, she was pushed outside her comfort zone almost immediately. 

“I was like, ‘OK,’” she says. 

“But ever since then, I got better with it, coming to stand in front of the lecture theatre and speaking.” 

The experience was uncomfortable at first, but it became a practical lesson in finding her voice. 

Social workers need to communicate in complex situations, build trust and advocate for people who may not always feel heard. Each presentation and group discussion has helped Ifeyinwa grow more comfortable expressing her ideas. 

Working in different groups has also given her the opportunity to understand how other students think. 

“That gave me the opportunity to relate with other people and get to hear their mindset about certain things,” she says. 

The learning materials available through Moodle help her arrive prepared and ready to participate. 

“I’m not just coming into class, and everything is thrown at me,” she says. 

“I’m prepared for the class because I have some resources to look at, and then I come into the class to receive the lecture.” 

Feeling welcome from the beginning 

Moving to another country to study means adjusting to a new university, new people and a different way of life. 

For Ifeyinwa, Orientation helped make that transition feel easier. 

“I enjoyed the Orientation,” she says. “I had people walk up to me and say hello, and so I felt welcome.” 

That feeling continued as she became more familiar with the support available at Federation. 

She has used counselling and worked with Learning Skills Advisers, describing both services as “very warm and welcoming”. 

Together with the support she receives from lecturers and classmates, these services have helped her feel comfortable asking for assistance. 

For Ifeyinwa, inclusion is not one program or memorable event. It is reflected in the everyday experience of being known by her lecturers, learning from people with different backgrounds and knowing there is someone to turn to when she needs help. 

Preparing for a career in mental health and family support 

After graduating, Ifeyinwa hopes to work in mental health and family support. 

Her experience with children with additional needs has shown her that effective support often needs to extend to the whole family. 

“I see how it’s beyond the children as well, and families also need support in that regard,” she says. 

In the future, she would also like to move into leadership. 

“I feel like leadership gives me that broader platform to be able to change things and help people from a broader perspective,” she says. 

The Master of Social Work (Qualifying) is helping her move towards those goals in practical and personal ways. 

She is gaining professional training and Australian workplace experience. She is learning how to reflect, communicate and make ethical decisions. She is listening to people whose experiences differ from her own. 

She is also finding the confidence to stand at the front of a lecture theatre and speak. 

When Ifeyinwa chose social work, she wanted to become someone who could support vulnerable people through challenging times. 

Now, she is developing the skills to do it well. 

Explore the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) 

Federation University’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) combines professional learning with practical experience, preparing graduates to work across areas including mental health, family services, healthcare and community organisations. 

Explore the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) and discover where a career in social work could take you.