Carissa Gough
Class of 2017
As a foundation student at St Benedict’s College’s original cohort, Carissa Gough graduated in 2017 with a strong curiosity about people, creativity, and the world around her.
Since leaving the College, she has navigated study, relocations, career changes, and personal challenges, all while building a meaningful career dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families. Today, Carissa works as a Child Safety Officer, helping families create safer and more stable futures, a role that reflects both her passion for understanding human behaviour and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Following a Passion for Understanding People
After graduating from St Benedict’s College, Carissa found herself at a crossroads. Torn between studying Arts or Psychology, she ultimately chose to pursue a Bachelor of Psychology at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Her academic journey was not without its challenges. After two years of study, Carissa relocated to Mackay for her partner’s work and transferred to online study through CQUniversity. The move required her to repeat several units due to differences between the two universities’ programs, but she remained committed to her goal and successfully completed her degree in 2023.
Alongside her studies, Carissa gained experience across a diverse range of industries and roles. From working as a Party Host at KingPin and an Activity Coordinator and Trade Quoter at Bunnings to roles in the NDIS sector and the Film and Television industry, each opportunity helped shape her skills and broaden her perspective.
Turning Life Experiences into a Meaningful Career
Carissa has always been fascinated by both the science of the human mind and the creative arts, including acting, painting, and filmmaking. However, it was her desire to better understand how people are shaped by their experiences that ultimately led her to psychology.
Own personal experiences with hardship strengthened her passion for understanding human behaviour and supporting others to reach their full potential. This motivation now underpins her work in Child Safety, where she helps protect children from harm while supporting families to build the skills, relationships, and support networks needed to create safe and nurturing homes.
Finding Confidence Through New Challenges
One of Carissa’s proudest achievements since leaving school has been overcoming severe anxiety.
As a teenager, anxiety often prevented her from stepping outside her comfort zone, particularly in social situations or when applying for jobs. Determined not to let those fears define her future, she challenged herself to take on customer-facing roles at KingPin and Bunnings.
These experiences became turning points, helping her develop confidence in communicating with others, managing responsibilities, and adapting to new situations.
That confidence continued to grow as she entered the Film and Television industry, travelling across Australia and often living independently while working alongside crews from around the world. She later transitioned into the NDIS sector, supporting clients with a wide range of abilities before moving into Child Safety, where she now helps children and families navigate some of life’s most difficult circumstances.
Reuniting Families and Changing Lives
Today, Carissa works as a Child Safety Officer with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.
In her role, she supports parents and their support networks to build essential skills, address underlying challenges, and work towards safely reuniting children with their families. The work can be complex and demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding.
Among her proudest professional achievements is helping facilitate the safe return of four children to their homes. Building strong relationships with families and witnessing positive outcomes continues to reinforce why she chose this career path.
The Lasting Impact of St Benedict’s College
When reflecting on her time at St Benedict’s College, Carissa credits much of her personal and professional growth to the teachers who supported her throughout her schooling.
“The person I am today has been largely shaped by the amazing teachers I connected with at St Benedict’s College,” she said.
“Their broad academic knowledge and genuine care during my formative years left a lasting impact on me. I will carry my gratitude for them with me for the rest of my life.”
Their encouragement and guidance helped lay the foundation for the resilience, compassion, and determination that continue to define Carissa’s journey.
Carissa’s Advice for Current Students
For current students, Carissa’s advice is simple but valuable:
“Study hard and make the most of your high school years.”
She encourages students considering further study to understand the importance of putting in the effort during school, particularly when applying for competitive university courses.
At the same time, she reminds students to appreciate the comfort and stability of school life while they can.
“Most of all, enjoy the comfort and stability of your daily school routine while it lasts!”