How placements prepared Madeleine and Emma for careers in public health and health promotion

When Deakin students Madeleine Johnson and Emma O’Connell began their placement at St John Ambulance Victoria, they never imagined how much it would shape their futures. Under the guidance of supervisor Marjorie Devereux, a Deakin graduate herself, they gained hands-on experience, confidence in their skills and jobs waiting for them after graduation.

Now preparing to complete their degrees, both students have accepted roles in their fields at St John, a great example of how impactful a placement can be. 

Madeleine didn’t start out in public health, but a change of direction led her exactly where she needed to be. 'I decided to change to public health and health promotion because it really aligned with my goals – working in health, community development, and helping others.'

Emma knew she wanted to go into health but wasn’t sure of her direction until a conversation in Year 12. 'My careers counsellor recommended Deakin’s Bachelor of Health Sciences, and it was a perfect fit,' she says.

Once at Deakin, both students appreciated the flexibility of their studies, being able to study online and choose their own majors. 

When Madeleine and Emma arrived at St John, they expected a typical student placement. What they got was much more. They weren’t just observing, they were contributing to real initiatives with hands on work and being treated as valued team members.

'On placement we worked across programs like CPR Lab, Defib in Your Street, First Aid in Schools, and Party Ready.'

They were given trust and responsibility. From writing evaluation reports to attending launches, they were able to apply everything they had learnt in class to real projects.

For both Madeleine and Emma, placement experience at St John Ambulance was more than just a university requirement; it was a turning point. Working on real programs in communities gave them the chance to put their learning into action. From delivering life-saving education to writing evaluation reports, every task added to their skillset and helped them build professional confidence.

'Placement has allowed me to put theory into practice and develop real-world skills I couldn’t get in the classroom,' says Madeleine.

They also learned how to navigate a professional environment, something that can’t be taught in lectures alone. The experience helped them better understand how public health works in practice and gave them a clearer picture of where they see themselves in the field.

Perhaps the most telling outcome? Madeleine and Emma were offered jobs at St John even before graduating, a very welcome surprise for both students.

'I’m so grateful that we’ve been offered jobs after we graduate – it shows the trust they have in us,' says Madeleine. Emma adds 'We’ve really hit the jackpot with the team we were placed with – they’ve gone above and beyond for us.'

Looking back, both Madeleine and Emma say their placement was the most valuable part of their degree.

'This placement has built my confidence enormously – I now feel ready to step into the workforce,' says Emma.

Their advice for future students? Dive in with an open mind and take every opportunity to learn. 'Stay organised and take every opportunity you can,' suggests Madeleine. 

Madeleine and Emma’s journey shows what can happen when you combine passion with opportunity. Thanks to a supportive supervisor, a workplace open to new perspectives and a program that values real-world learning, they’ve transitioned from students to professionals ready to make a difference in public health and health promotion.