From Architecture to Speech Pathology – Bianca’s Journey
When Bianca Carbone graduated from Santa Maria College in 2010, she never imagined her career path would take her from drafting floorplans to transforming lives through communication. What began as a creative venture into architecture soon shifted towards a purpose-driven role in healthcare. Now a speech pathologist working in the disability sector, Bianca supports individuals to find their voice, sometimes literally. With a passion shaped by international and rural experiences, and a commitment to cultural sensitivity and empowerment, she’s making an extraordinary impact in the lives of others.
Your career journey started in architecture before switching to allied health. Can you tell us what inspired that change and how you discovered your passion for speech pathology?
After making the decision to leave architecture, I knew I wanted to do something in health, but I still wasn’t certain. This led me to do a year of Bachelor of Science (Health Science) where I completed Foundational Health Science subjects and then applied and transferred into a Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) the following year. This gave me the time I needed to learn more about the course and career. I chose Speech Pathology because I was inspired by the possibility of making a lasting impact on someone’s quality of life by supporting their communication and swallowing.
You have completed rural and international placements, including one in Cambodia. What did those experiences teach you - personally and professionally?
My practical placements in a remote Aboriginal Community and Cambodia were very formative for me and I am so grateful for the opportunities. Living and working in these communities helped me to understand the role of culture in communication, relationships, and public health. It highlighted the importance of cultural awareness and sensitivity for Allied Health professionals and how this requires ongoing respect, commitment, and learning. It also helped me develop my confidence and independence both personally and professionally and I think it helped me to become more resilient and self-assured. It also allowed me to recognise and reflect on my own privileges and broaden my worldview which I continue to reflect on regularly in my career.
Speech pathology is such a diverse field. What does your current role involve, and what do you love most about the work you do?
I currently work in the disability sector where I support autistic individuals with their communication, self-advocacy, swallowing, and daily activities. There is a lot of variety in my day including assessments, direct therapy sessions with clients, supervision with peers, and admin, such as report writing. I love being able to prescribe individuals with an assistive communication device to aid their communication, develop a mealtime management plan to help keep them safe at mealtimes, and support my clients to advocate for their wants and needs. It doesn’t get much better than supporting someone who is non-speaking to be given a way to make choices about their day, describe how they’re feeling, or crack a joke.
Looking back at your time at Santa Maria College, were there any particular experiences, teachers, or programs that helped shape your career path or values?
My favourite subject was Human Biology, and I thank my Years 11 and 12 teacher Lee Scott for inspiring my passion for the subject. Being taught by a teacher who was engaging, approachable and was passionate about the subject meant that I always looked forward to class. I also have very fond memories of being on the volleyball team from Year 7 to Year 12 and to this day, I still play social volleyball. Speech pathologists need good communication and soft skills, and I think team sports really helped me develop my skills in collaboration and teamwork, active listening and respectful communication.
Working in healthcare requires a lot of compassion and adaptability. How do you stay resilient in the face of challenges?
Working in a supportive environment and team is very important and is a big part of my job satisfaction. Having access to supervision or a co-worker to debrief with is essential after a difficult situation or week. Asking for help when I need it and maintaining a good work-life balance and self-care routine are also key. I also make sure to do something within my day and week outside of work that fills my cup.
Do you have any favourite memories from your time at Santa Maria?
My favourite memories are usually centred around a sense of place, team, or community. Some highlights would be the sport carnivals (“O’Donnell, Ooh Rah!”), Year 9 HASS class trip to Canberra, performing in Drama class, winning a gold medal for a beach volleyball tournament with my friends, sitting on the Figure 8 at recess or lunch, and the Year 12 Ball.
How do you unwind? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
My favourite way to unwind is to listen to one of my favourite podcasts on my drive home, move my body (either a walk, Pilates, or a social sport), eat something delicious for dinner and pop on my favourite TV show. On my weekends, I like a good balance of socialising with family and friends and resting to recharge my batteries.
For current students who are still figuring out their future, what advice would you give about staying open to unexpected opportunities or career pivots?
It’s completely normal not to have everything figured out or to change your mind. You won’t truly know if something is right for you until you give it a go. Don’t view career pivots as failures but as opportunities for growth. There are always transferable skills that you will learn and can take with you from all experiences. Take the time to think what’s truly important to you and trust the process.
Bianca’s journey reminds us that career paths are rarely linear, and that is where the magic lies. By embracing change and tuning in to her values, she’s carved out a meaningful profession built on empathy, adaptability, and lifelong learning. Whether she’s prescribing a communication device, reflecting on cultural insights from Cambodia, or enjoying a game of volleyball, Bianca brings thoughtfulness and energy to all she does. For our current students wondering where the future might take them, Bianca’s story is a reassuring reminder that it’s okay not to have it all figured out—just stay open, stay curious, and trust the process.
- AlliedHealthCareers, AlumniCareerJourneys, AlumniSpotlight, CareerChange, Featured, SantaMariaCollegeAlumni, SpeechPathology
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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