Alumni at Koonung  

Our Koonung Secondary College alumni are making great things happen. Our alumni are bound by their connection to Koonung, but their journeys are all beautifully distinct. Koonung alumni are making their mark.

Alumni Spotlight - Meet Isabella Garcia (Class of 2016)

I am currently… A registered Nurse. I have worked for two major public hospitals such as Eastern Health and Austin Health. I have had experience in various Nursing specialties such as Neurology, Rehabilitation, and Immunisation. 

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in this field and why did you decide to pursue a career in this field? 

I had a family member who worked in healthcare and would often tell me wonderful stories about the nursing staff at their organisation. Although I was extremely young, their comments always intrigued and fascinated me. I believed that Nursing would be a rewarding and trusted profession.

What has been your pathway since completing Year 12 to get to where you are now in your career? 

I received a first-round offer for a Bachelor of Nursing at RMIT university. I had completed my first year of nursing and achieved a GPA that allowed me to transfer and be accepted to study for a bachelor of paramedicine at Victoria university. After completing a year and a half of paramedicine, I decided that Nursing was the career I wanted to pursue wholeheartedly. I completed my studies at RMIT in 2020. Since completing my studies, I have gained an interest in beauty and skin and also have a casual position at luxe beauty brand MECCA to work as a make-up artist; which was a hobby of mine whilst studying.

Could you describe a day in the life of a nurse? 

Helping patients with daily tasks, giving them their required medication, education, and checking patients' vital signs (blood pressure, pulse rate, etc.), physical and psychological assessments, wound care, etc. 

What subjects did you study in Year 12? 

English / Health and human development / Psychology / Environmental studies / Legal studies

Was there anything you wish you had done differently in Year 12? 

I would do more practice exams, sacs, essays, etc. I believe that practice does make perfect and you will never be disappointed in yourself if you give it your best.

What did you enjoy most about your secondary school years at Koonung Secondary College? 

I thoroughly enjoyed learning with my friends in my final years at Koonung Secondary College. My teachers were very supportive, and friendly, and always provided me with extra academic help when needed. I was excited to be able to wear my customised YR 12 jacket and was excited to gain access to the Senior Study Centre!

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

Believe in yourself because you are capable of more than you think. Stop doubting yourself.

Would you like to share your Koonung alumni story? 

Simply email alumni@koonung.vic.edu.au 

Koonung’s alumni program is developed in partnership with Ourschool, www.ourschool.net.au, a not-for-profit service that helps government secondary schools build a thriving alumni network to benefit current students and the school community. For more information about Koonung Secondary College’s alumni program please visit here.

Koonung Alumni Program Contact details

Alumni Program Coordinator - Nancy Manders Email alumni@koonung.vic.edu.au

Alumni Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/KoonungSecondaryCollegeAlumni 

Alumni LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14056625/

Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NancyKoonungAlumni/

Nancy Manders

Alumni Program Coordinator

Days of work - Thursday, Friday

LinkedIn - Alumni LinkedIn Group

Facebook - Alumni Facebook Page

Email – alumni@koonung.vic.edu.au