Indigenous Student of the Year - Paul Jones

Certificate IV in Youth Work student, Paul Jones won the 2019 Box Hill Institute award for Indigenous Student of the Year. He said he never thought he’d have a chance of being nominated for the award, and even after hearing his name read out, he was shocked and in disbelief. 

Paul believes the best part of studying at Box Hill Institute is the teachers and the experiences they bring to students. He said, “The teachers, the life experience they bring and how they go about teaching is great.”
 
Prior to commencing his studies at Box Hill Institute, Paul was doing a traineeship at Aboriginal Housing Victoria. He was inspired to study youth work by a great youth worker he had when he was younger. He said the most interesting thing he has learnt during his studies is how you grow as a person and how the people around you change throughout the course.

Paul’s advice for other students is to believe in themselves. He said, “Go for it. Even if you think you don't have a chance, you do. Believe in yourself.”