Kylah Pere

Although Kylah Pere was already working in healthcare, studying a Bachelor of Health opened a whole new world of opportunity.

Like many students, Kylah entered university with a passion for her field, but wasn’t sure where her qualification would take her. Now Kylah realises having an open mind allowed her to discover her niche.

When Kylah first began her Bachelor of Health, she majored in Health Psychology, but halfway through her degree realised it wasn’t the path for her.

“I was feeling overwhelmed, but it wasn’t until my class with Dr Eva Neely, that I had that lightbulb moment, where everything just made sense,” says Kylah. Dr Neely is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion and Kylah credits her with sparking her interest in the subject.

“It didn’t matter how long you stayed in a class, Dr Neely would make sure that by the end of the conversation, you understood everything.

“I had absolutely no idea what health promotion was when I started studying. Learning about it really changed my whole perspective on healthcare.”

Health promotion aims to enhance the overall wellbeing of individuals and communities through education, policy, and supportive environments. Health promoters work to improve community health by educating individuals about health topics, developing programmes, and advocating for policies that promote wellness. They engage with communities to assess needs, provide resources, and support behaviour change for healthier lifestyles.

For Kylah, it’s the community aspect of health promotion that’s transformed her career into a calling.

“I was recently hired as a Health Promoter for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, where I’ve been able to apply all my learnings. It’s all about supporting our community to look at health as a whole. Many people in our community have never seen anything like what we do before."

Her new role not only aligns with Kylah’s professional aspirations, but also struck a personal chord, reinforcing her belief that she’s on the right path.

“A few months ago, a family member passed away from bowel cancer. She didn’t know about bowel screening. To serve the community she lived in makes me feel so privileged.”

Although Kylah is juggling full-time work and full-time study, she wholeheartedly recommends the Bachelor of Health to anyone considering it.

“If you’re thinking about it, that means your heart is already there. I understand that three years seems like a long time, but it flies. Your tutors are so supportive, and many students are also working, or have kids.

“Just apply and do it!”