Aiming for change

Sara Graham, a ‘quiet achiever’, chose a career close to her heart.

"After working overseas and completing a degree in anthropology, I was looking for something fulfilling and stimulating that would benefit my community.

Community development seemed to tick the boxes. It let me use my intellect in a way that’s aligned with my sense of social justice.

I chose VU because unlike other universities, it focused more on the community and less on development studies, which aligns with my personal values. I also loved the diverse range of students and their rich life experiences.

I worked at the international AIDS conference as part of my course. It was an amazing opportunity to put my skills into practice and dramatically increased my confidence.

VU gave me a solid foundation. As a single parent, it's been a mix of very hard work and serendipity that led to my career as an international project manager."

Sarah is now an executive officer at Straight Arrows Inc, a health support organisation.

Want a career in community development?

Sarah studied:

• Master of International Community Development

Find out more about community development courses at VU.