Chisholm Alumni: Yogesh’s Road to Community Impact

When Yogesh moved to Australia from India, he hoped to build a meaningful career helping others. Drawn to Chisholm’s supportive learning environment and practical approach to education, he found a pathway that helped turn that ambition into reality. Today, he works as an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counsellor with La Trobe Valley Community Health, supporting people experiencing substance use and mental health challenges, while continuing his studies through a Master of Social Work.

For Yogesh, choosing a career in community services was never just about finding a job. It was about supporting people through some of the most challenging moments of their lives and making a meaningful difference in the community. “I wanted to learn more about social work, mental health and working in the community sector," he says. “I wanted to make a career out of it.”

With a clear career goal in mind, Yogesh enrolled in the Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs, “I really wanted to know what the industry looked like,” he says. “Chisholm gave me the opportunity to build networks and gain real-world experience.”

A defining moment for Yogesh was completing his placement within the disability sector. It was there that he gained valuable industry experience, built professional connections and developed the confidence that would help launch his career.

One of the things Yogesh valued most during placement was the supportive culture he experienced in the workplace. The strong sense of collaboration and shared purpose reinforced the importance of supporting both colleagues and clients. For Yogesh, it reflected what community services is all about – being there for people when they need it most.

This opportunity proved to be more valuable than Yogesh imagined. After graduation, he reached out to the organisation where he had completed his placement and asked whether any opportunities were available. That conversation opened the door to his first role in the sector. “Placement led to employment,” he says. What started as a placement laid the foundation for a career built on meaningful connections, new opportunities and a passion for helping others.

Since then, Yogesh has continued to build his experience across the community services sector. After gaining experience in disability support, he found an opportunity to work in Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) services at Fulham Prison, combining his community services expertise with a long-standing interest in forensic work and criminal behaviour.

Today, Yogesh works as an AOD counsellor with La Trobe Valley Community Health, supporting people experiencing substance use and mental health challenges through counselling, recovery planning and connections to other services. While the work can be challenging, it is also deeply rewarding.

“What I enjoy most is being able to build trust with clients and see positive changes in their lives,” he says.

One moment that stands out involved a client who brought their partner and one-year-old child to their final counselling session to personally thank Yogesh for the support he had provided. For Yogesh, their presence highlighted how positive changes can extend far beyond the person receiving support. It was a powerful reminder of the ripple effect community services can have, not just for individuals, but for families and communities as well.

Reflecting on his time at Chisholm, Yogesh credits the support of his teachers for helping shape both his professional and personal growth, particularly when he was navigating placements and preparing for employment. Their encouragement helped build his confidence and prepared him to embrace new opportunities throughout his studies and career.

Since completing the Bachelor of Community Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs with Chisholm, Yogesh is now completing a Master of Social Work. His future ambitions include working in mental health, policy and law, and potentially establishing his own counselling service in regional Victoria to help make support more accessible to local communities.

His advice for future international students is simple: embrace new opportunities and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. “You never know where a simple hello can lead. In Australia, the sky is the limit.”

Yogesh
“I really chose Chisholm because I wanted to know what industry looks like. It gives you an opportunity to experience different work culture, to build networks, and that’s how I got my employment opportunities as well.”

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