They’re ambitious, innovative and highly intelligent – and they’re set to soon graduate from their chosen fields of study and launch careers that will inspire and change the world.
In the coming weeks we will profile 16 female graduates to watch in 2014 who are leading the next generation of female talent in science, medicine, law, business and research. They answer our questions on everything from what they hope to achieve in their careers, what inspires them and the challenges they anticipate they will face in their careers.
Tessa Henwood-Mitchell was inspired to study social work following a volunteering trip to South Africa and Kenya after finishing high school. Since then she’s spent time in an orphanage in Bolivia and established Tia International Aid as a result of her frustration with the lack of opportunities and support available to the children she worked with. Now with more than 60 volunteers in its fundraising team, TIA has installed a water system, created a music program for the visually impaired and developed a transition centre for those in orphanages to aid them in becoming independent young adults.
What degree are you studying and at which university?
I am studying the double degree of Social Work and International Relations at the University of South Australia, with an Associate Degree in Languages and Culture Studies, majoring in Spanish.
When do you plan on finishing your studies?
I have just finished my final assignment, so I will be graduating at the end of August this year!
How old are you?
I’m 25 years old.
Why did you choose to go into this field?
After my time in Africa I learned the value of human connection, and I learned that communities in developing countries were not what the media paints them to be — ‘desolate’, ‘sad’, ‘lacking hope’ – but they are quite the opposite, full of joy, optimism, and generosity. This ignited my desire to work with people in developing communities to help them create change and use what they’ve got to move forward from some of the situations that can cause poverty and disadvantage.
What do you want to achieve in your career?
My main goal is to be doing work that I love and that makes me feel a sense of fulfilment and joy every day. So far I am on the right track! Ideally I would love for TIA to expand and work in other countries and communities around Latin America, and potentially elsewhere in the world. I aim to take the role of searching around the world for new communities and projects for TIA to get involved in. I love visiting and learning about different cultures and sharing knowledge and experiences with people. I love to see young people flourish and reach their full potential, having learnt that sometimes all it takes is for someone to believe in them and show them how to believe in themselves.
What are the biggest challenges you face in trying to reach these goals?
One of the most difficult parts of this work is, unfortunately, making it possible to be able to sustain myself financially whilst travelling to Bolivia each year. I have had to work various part-time jobs whilst in Australia studying to be able to fund my annual trips to Bolivia, which has been extremely exhausting and difficult to sustain over four years. Now that I am finishing studying, I am considering ways to enable me to be able to commit myself fulltime to TIA. This is very challenging as we are still such a fledgling non-profit organisation. Another challenge in this work is, of course, the difficulties that come with working in such a different culture as Bolivia. Even after almost 5 years of working in Bolivia I am still learning how to best collaborate with the Bolivian people.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years time?
In 10 years time I hope to be somewhere in the world working either for TIA or for another grassroots organisation doing similar work, contributing my knowledge, skills and passion to enabling children and young people to become who they have the potential to be. I hope to still be finding joy in the small things in life and appreciating everything that I have in my life, and I hope to still be contributing to changing the world, one child at a time.
Who do you admire most?
I admire people who truly care about others and give to those who need it most even if they have nothing for themselves. So many people I have met throughout my time volunteering both in Africa and South America have nothing but the basics, yet are still so willing to give and will do whatever they can for anyone who is struggling. People who show a true sense of compassion and generosity are the people I admire most.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be kind to yourself as you are kind to others.