Award-winner for wellness in the west

Kirsten Pocock built on the workplace learning opportunities offered at VU to forge an exciting career in recreation management.

"I chose VU because I knew it had a great reputation for sports-related courses and partnerships with the Western Bulldogs and other big sports clubs. I believed that there would be so much opportunity for great placement experiences due to these relationships and I was right – my work placements at VU were invaluable.

My first placement at Contours gym resulted in paid work, which saw me grow into a successful personal trainer and group fitness instructor. During my final year of my undergraduate degree, I secured a cadetship at the Western Bulldogs in their community development team. The skills I gained working there have been transferrable into my current role and gave me excellent examples to use during interviews. I became the centre coordinator at RecWest Footscray YMCA. Having progressed through the ranks of trainer, to health club team leader, a whole centre coordinator, I am now a Head of Fitness and Programs at Aligned Leisure – it has been an amazing journey.

Winning an award for excellence in health and wellness at the YMCA North West Region awards which resulted in the opportunity to go to Boston to represent the organisation in a coaching course. Every learning experience I've had along the way culminated in this success."