The field of workplace rehabilitation is complex and often receives little attention in university programs. Success, therefore, depends on receiving exceptional on-the-job training, mentoring and support. KINNECT has committed to fulfilling these needs for our graduates and those new to the field through a structured 12-month program.

The Workplace Rehabilitation Success Program begins as soon as a new graduate or new-to-industry recruit starts with KINNECT. It has been developed in-house to enable participants to gain essential knowledge and skills, forge valuable professional relationships, and lay the foundation for their long-term success.

We spoke to Millicent Valencia, an ARPA Award-winning Rehabilitation Counsellor from Melbourne, about her experiences in the program and its impact on her practice and career.

 

What drew you to your area?

When I was at school, I wanted to go into counselling to help people. However, my path initially went a different way. I spent 12 years working in sales and marketing.

During the pandemic, I came across a remote role in New Zealand as a pastoral care leader. Part of the pastoral care role was to support indigenous entrepreneurs, ensuring they were set up for success in our program. That role rekindled my love for working with people and curiosity about human behaviour, so I enrolled in a Master of Counselling, Rehabilitation and Mental Health.

What made you consider KINNECT for a graduate position?

I did a 150-hour university placement with KINNECT as part of the requirement for my master’s degree. It was a fantastic experience.

The main thing that helped me decide to pursue a role at KINNECT after placement was the team culture. I think you can work in the fanciest company out there, but without a really good team culture, you wouldn’t stay in the role.

During my placement, people were very helpful, warm, and generous in supporting me as a “newbie”, which really helped me adjust to the industry. My supervisor then, and even my manager now, would always go out of their way to help me.

When I received my offer, I also had an offer from another occupational rehabilitation company, but the culture made it easy to choose KINNECT.

What was involved in the Workplace Rehabilitation Success Program?

There was a lot involved.

The one-on-one mentoring was really helpful. Georgia Jenkins was my mentor – she’s a fantastic, highly-skilled rehabilitation counsellor. We had fortnightly meetings to start, which became monthly as they were based on my needs. She supported me in learning the ropes in rehabilitation counselling.

We also had bi-monthly huddles with everyone in the program, where we brainstormed and talked about our experiences, struggles, and challenges. We’d go around the (virtual) room to see who had encountered the same thing and who may have a solution or advice.

Then, each month, we had learning and development sessions with guest speakers, for example, on a biopsychosocial approach to workplace rehabilitation.

Towards the end, the participants of the Workplace Rehabilitation Success Program met in Brisbane to celebrate. It was fun seeing each other in the flesh.

All of those things set us up for success – it was a great experience.

What were the most important things you got out of it?

We were able to grow professionally alongside other like-minded people around the country, from whom we could draw ideas we probably wouldn’t have had on our own.  Workers’ compensation varies by state, so it was helpful to learn from others.

“I learned from the program that you don’t grow only through your own efforts. Being a good rehabilitation consultant and being the best version of yourself is a team effort.

Being a consultant can be very challenging, so you must work with your team and get as much help as you need. You’re not alone. You’re not doing this by yourself.”

That team culture was the deciding factor in joining KINNECT, and it’s the culture that brought me to where I am now.

What are your career goals?

I would still love to be in a client-facing role while also developing the skills to train and support other consultants to do the same meaningful work. I’m really passionate about helping people journey through their recovery and return to purpose, and in the future, I’d love to share that passion and knowledge with others so they can make a positive impact too.

Ultimately, I hope to not only support my own clients, but also empower other consultants to help even more people along the way.

What’s so fulfilling about your role as a rehabilitation counsellor?

It sounds generic, but our ‘Why’ of helping people is pretty accurate.

Part of the fulfilment that I feel is that it (my work helping people) aligns with my life’s purpose. Previously, I worked in property sales, focusing on selling homes and meeting targets. Now, I find myself in much more meaningful work, helping people reconnect with purpose and “selling” the idea that returning to work is possible, giving them hope along the way.

What I find most fulfilling about my role as a rehabilitation counsellor is being able to support people in meaningful ways and be part of their progress. I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition like an ARPA Student Award and a KINNECT Best Newcomer Award, which I see as a reflection of the team around me and the shared effort we put into our work. For me, the real reward comes from showing up each day, doing my best, and contributing positively to the outcomes we achieve together.

So, whilst there’s a lot happening, I feel fulfilled day in, day out because I know it’s something I want to do and it’s grounded in the values I uphold, which are based in my faith. As long as what I’m doing aligns with my life’s purpose, I can find meaning in what I do, regardless of how challenging it can be.

 

At KINNECT, we don’t believe in throwing people in the deep end. We equip our graduates with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to excel from day one.

If you’re finishing an undergraduate or post-graduate degree in psychology, rehabilitation counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy or exercise physiology and are considering a career in workplace rehabilitation, apply now.