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Balancing family life, a passion for volunteering, and a desire to formalise years of community experience is no small feat. For Erin, a background in hospitality and event management was fun, but it didn't fit into her lifestyle once she had children. Having volunteered for organisations like the Australian Army Cadets, Scouts Victoria, and the Raise Foundation since her own youth, she decided it was time to turn her passion into a profession by studying the Diploma of Youth Work online with Open Colleges.
Why Online Study? Flexibility for Busy Lifestyles
For anyone looking to return to study later in life, the thought of sitting in lecture halls can feel intimidating. Erin faced this exact hurdle:
"Initially, the concept of going back to study was pretty intimidating to me. I'd done my business degree in my early 20s when I didn't have kids... whereas this was self-paced, it was all online, and it was up to me to get it across the line."
Choosing Open Colleges provided the flexibility she needed. Whether reading course materials on her phone while folding laundry or reviewing modules in the stadium car park during her daughter's gymnastics, the completely online format allowed her to study around her family and voluntary commitments.
Even when an unexpected family injury forced her to pause her studies for six months, the flexible structure allowed her to pick right back up where she left off.
The Power of Trainer Support
Balancing life's curveballs isn't easy, and Erin credits her trainer, Nicola, as the vital anchor that kept her moving forward:
"There were a few times where I just went, 'This is gonna be too hard,' and was ready to throw it in, and she just encouraged me to keep going... Nicola didn't just support me academically; she gave me the confidence that I knew exactly what I was doing."
Turning Theory into Practice: Work Placement
One of Erin's initial worries was how she would fit work placement hours into an already packed schedule. However, her trainer helped her integrate her existing volunteer work with the Raise Foundation (providing one-on-one school mentoring) and Scouts Victoria directly into her placement hours.
"Being able to do the placement hours, you just have that 'Oh, that all makes sense now' moment as it falls into place. It equipped me with a lot of skills... and gave me confidence that I was 100% doing the right thing."
Through her studies, Erin learned best practices for supporting neurodiverse young people and navigating the modern, digital challenges youth face today.
What It's Really Like Working in Youth Work
Working in the youth sector is vastly different today than it was ten or twenty years ago. Today's young people face unique pressures, ranging from navigating the digital world to handling complex emotional challenges.
Essential Qualities for Youth Workers
Erin highlights a few core traits needed to thrive in the industry:
Active Listening: Young people are often talked at. Being able to sit in silence, listen, and make them feel truly seen and heard is critical.
Empathy and Positivity: Bringing a resilient, positive mindset helps counter the heavy and often scary challenges young people face.
Presence: Showing up consistently and valuing their time helps build genuine trust.
The Rewards
While the work can occasionally be heavy - such as handling disclosures or mandatory reporting - the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Whether it's watching a 5-year-old Joey Scout learn to strike a match for the first time or seeing older scouts plan, budget, and cook meals independently, the environment is full of growth, adventure, and fun.
Advice for Future Students
If you're on the fence about returning to study or entering the youth work sector, Erin's advice is simple: do it, but utilise your support network.
Lean on your trainers: Regular check-ins with your assessors are there for a reason - they genuinely want to help you succeed.
Find a mentor: Having someone in the industry who has "been there and done that" makes all the difference.
Practice self-care: Youth work can drain your battery quickly. Make sure to take time for yourself, lean on friends and family, and look after your own well-being so you can continue supporting others.
