Jai Cornish-Martin is one of our recent graduates and a proud Kunja man from Bourke, NSW. Jai graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science, after transferring to UOW from the University of Canberra in 2020.
Jai found that moving to Wollongong and studying during the pandemic was a challenge. He states that staying motivated to work as hard as is required to be successful at university was extremely difficult. This was made especially hard for him during lockdowns, when he was not allowed out of the house. However, Jai remains proud of his achievements and resilience:
“I wanted to achieve and do what needed to be done...I am extremely proud of myself that I got there in the end”.
Jai stated that he has “always wanted to help people”. Being able to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is a key aspect of Jai’s future aspirations:
“I wanted to be able to help people feel happy, healthy, and resilient and develop an in-depth understanding of the mind, mental health, mental health issues and how to support people to feel as happy and healthy as they can be.”
When asked what advice he has for those who may be graduating in the years ahead, he offered the following:
“Try your best to figure out what you want to do when you graduate. The last six months of your degree will fly by and not knowing what you want to do afterwards, whatever that may be, can be extremely stressful. Make a plan for what you want to do, whether that be travel, starting a job or taking a break, stick to it. It will help you push through the last few months of your degree and feel comfortable about what’s next.”
Jai has recently relocated to Sydney to pursue a role in a graduate program with the NSW Government’s Department of Communities and Justice. This role is beneficial for Jai, as it potentially allows him to undergo further part-time study. Eventually, he hopes to obtain a role working in a remote Indigenous community.