Caleb Macauley
Caleb Macauley’s work with foster children and families is challenging and inspiring at the same time, reflecting on his childhood memories of welcoming foster children into his own family.
Caleb, who graduated from Carramar in 2017, is working as a case manager with foster children while finishing his Honours in Psychology at Curtin Uni. His family has been involved in fostering for a long time, particularly when Caleb was a Secondary student at St Stephen’s School, which is part of the reason he has pursued working with young people.
“I’d love to go into school or youth counselling once I’ve finished my degree,” he says.
Caleb is also an accomplished actor, having worked on several short films for SBS and ScreenWest, and an ABC TV series. He has made appearances at Perth Fringe Festival in improv comedy shows in recent years as well.
“My current work is more aligned with my degree, as a case manager for foster children living out of home. It’s as challenging as it is rewarding, and I approach every day with the same humour and confidence which is consistently practised in my artistic pursuits,” he says.
“I find fulfilment in the youth work I’ve had the opportunity to do over the past two years, and have really felt able to make a difference in the lives of the children and young people I have worked with.”
“Seeing their progress in all facets of life, be it academically, emotionally, behaviourally or culturally, is a very humbling thing to experience.”
He’s quietly proud of his achievements since graduating, saying being accepted into the Honours program at Curtin, with the hope to continue his studies to complete a Masters coursework, and building his own home in 2021 were his top highlights so far.
Reflecting on his time at St Stephen’s School, he credits a great deal of his social skills to the relationships he built with many of his teachers.
“I think the practise of taking new knowledge and applying it somewhere else was a very valuable skill I also learnt at St Stephen’s.”
His words of advice for current students are simple, yet inspiring.
“Something I wish I was told during high school was that you definitely don’t have to decide your entire career before you graduate! Opportunities come and go, and your interests will change.”
“Be open to what the world puts in front of you.”