28/08/2026
“More than anything, La Trobe was where I found my place in the world.”
For Jaryd Stobaus, studying social work became much more than preparation for a career. It introduced him to people who challenged his thinking, took him from Bendigo to Canada, Nepal and India, and opened up possibilities he hadn't imagined when he began his degree.
“It was where I met like-minded people who challenged and shaped the way I think, many of whom are still close friends today.”
Since graduating in 2019, those possibilities have taken Jaryd across family violence, homelessness, advocacy and mental health. Today, he works as a Mental Health Practitioner at Port Phillip Specialist School and has also found his way back to La Trobe — this time as a Social Work Lecturer at the University’s Bundoora campus.
In his words, it has brought his journey “full circle”.
Jaryd’s professional career actually began before he graduated. His first placement at the Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) led to a role with the organisation and gave him an early opportunity to discover what putting social work theory into practice really looked like.
“I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to begin my career in such a values-driven organisation. Those early experiences played a significant role in shaping my emerging professional identity, grounding my practice in strong feminist and critical frameworks.”
That foundation has stayed with him.
“It was an ideal environment in which to put the theories and values that initially drew me to social work into practice, while also developing a level of reflective practice that may not have been as strongly emphasised in other settings.”
From CNV, Jaryd went on to work across homelessness services, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), disability advocacy and, more recently, school-based mental health.
But one thread has continued to run through his work: his early experience in gender-based violence.
Jaryd has been a Family Violence Practice Liaison at Launch Housing, contributed to the MARAM Committee at the ASRC and now serves as the family violence contact person within his school.
“These experiences have led to meaningful opportunities to work with young men in the Respectful Relationships space, while continually challenging me to critically reflect on my role, responsibilities, and positioning within the profession.”
Ask Jaryd for one defining memory from his time at La Trobe and there isn’t one.
“My time at La Trobe isn't defined by one standout moment, but by a collection of experiences that made it unforgettable.”
There was co-founding the social work student club, BASS, and organising student events. There was studying abroad in Canada. His final placement took him to Nepal, while study tours took him to India. He even started a social enterprise with his supervisor and peers.
Some of those experiences have continued to shape his work years later.
“The opportunities I had—particularly in Nepal and India—took my learning far beyond the classroom and opened doors I never expected. Those experiences have since led to writing book chapters, lecturing, presenting my ideas at conferences, and finding meaningful work that I genuinely love.”
For Jaryd, one of the things that makes social work distinctive is just how many directions it can take you.
“Social work is the kind of field that completely changes how you see the world. You'll find yourself surrounded by passionate, driven, change-making people who genuinely care, and that energy is infectious. The possibilities for how you can use your degree are almost endless, with social workers making an impact across an incredibly diverse range of fields.”
“One of the most powerful aspects of social work is the opportunity to engage in genuine relational practice. Building authentic human connections sits at the heart of meaningful change. It is a privilege to work alongside people in this way—to listen, to learn, and to support others through some of the most complex moments in their lives.”
And while Jaryd doesn’t shy away from the challenges of the profession, his advice to future social workers comes back to the people, purpose and perspective they can find through the work.
“It's not always easy, and there are certainly challenging moments. But the sense of camaraderie, shared purpose, and the genuine opportunity to make a positive impact make it an incredibly rewarding profession. Social work doesn't just shape your career—it shapes who you are and how you move through the world.”
