From stacking shelves at Woolworths, to dishwashing and waiting tables after dropping out of high school, this Charles Sturt University graduate is relishing in his academic achievements after graduating with exceptional grades.  

Mr Josh Cleaver graduated with a Master of Leadership in Human Services (with specialisations) in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 15 December and received the prestigious honour of a University Medal for his outstanding grades.

The University Medal is the highest honour that a student can receive. To be awarded a University Medal, a student has to achieve High Distinctions (HDs) in nearly all their subjects and if a student receives all HDs, they will receive a possible Grade Point Average (GPA) of seven.

Josh is pinching himself in disbelief when he looks back on his life journey.

“I didn’t finish high school and then did a range of jobs until mum took me to a TAFE open day about 10 years ago, as I had no idea what I wanted to do,” Josh said.

“All I remember thinking was - wouldn’t it be great if I could do something, work-wise, that made people feel better each day?”

From that point, he decided to enrol in a Certificate 3 in Community Services through TAFE NSW.

“I didn’t think I’d last two weeks,” Josh said.

“But then, I quickly realised that this field was a natural fit with my values and how I was brought up, and that the people in my classes were on the same wavelength as me, so I knew I was in the right place.”

Josh is grateful for the support he received when he decided to go back to the classroom to commence a career in social work, including the support he received during his master’s degree.

“I had teachers that believed in me long before I believed in myself,” he said.

“They encouraged me to use my voice and made me feel like I had something to offer this field and that I belonged in social work.”

After completing a Certificate 3 in Community Services Josh attained his undergraduate degree in social work at another university in 2018 graduating as the top fourth-year student.

He has worked for NSW Health in mental health, medical and community settings and is keen to develop the boundaries of social work practice beyond traditional methods.

“I want to be part of a shift in social work that takes ownership of who we are, and what we can offer,” he said.

“We need social work practitioners who have the skills, knowledge, and courage to back their professional identity and knowledge, and push the profession outside of its comfort zone so that social work practice can actively contribute to sustainable planning and policy development.”

When times got tough balancing full-time work and his master’s degree, Josh said there was a voice in his head reminding him of the impact social workers can have on people’s lives that kept him going with his studies.

“I’d think - what if this piece of knowledge, this concept, or this skill might be the one thing that allows me to help a person or family who’s struggling with something,” he said.

“This perspective helps me to focus on doing my best to learn whatever it is I’m currently learning about and reminds me that it is a privilege to learn whatever it is I’m learning.”

Josh now works for the NSW Department of Education as a social worker in a local high school. 

“Shout out to all the students and staff at Bulli High! I feel very lucky to work in the community I do every day,” he said.

ENDS