From Student to Senior Podiatrist: Tejus Menon’s Career Journey
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For Tejus Menon, podiatry has been so much more than a career. It’s been a passport to opportunity, growth, and making a real difference in people’s lives.
What started with an interest in helping others stay mobile has taken him across Australia, from fast-paced hospitals in Hobart to community clinics in Melbourne and now to regional WA, where he works as a Senior Podiatrist with WA Country Health Service. Along the way, he’s discovered just how diverse podiatry can be, from sports biomechanics to wound care, minor surgery, and even research that changes lives.
Tejus shares his journey, what surprised him most about the profession, and why he believes podiatry is one of the most rewarding, future-proof careers out there. If you’re a student wondering whether podiatry could be for you, his story might be the spark you need.
What first inspired you to choose podiatry, and what surprised you most about the profession once you started?
I was drawn to podiatry because of its unique focus on restoring mobility and preventing long-term complications, especially in vulnerable populations. Once I got started, I was genuinely surprised by how diverse the profession is - from elite sports biomechanics and acute wound care to minor surgical procedures, it covers so much. And on top of that, the podiatry community is incredibly collegial; everyone seems to know each other, and we all get along! It’s a small world, but a great one to be part of. It’s also a field that constantly pushes you to adapt, learn, and grow.
How has your career opened up opportunities you didn’t expect — whether in sports, research, community health, or travel?
Podiatry has taken me across Australia, and I’m so grateful for that journey. I started out at the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, then moved to metro Melbourne, and now I’m in a Senior Podiatrist role with WA Country Health Service. Each step has opened up new experiences from fast-paced acute care to community health and providing culturally safe care in rural and remote communities. It’s also helped me pursue my interest in research. I’ve had the chance to collaborate on some important work in wound care with some very special people, which I never would’ve expected early on.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a podiatrist that you think people don’t often realise?
Unfortunately, a lot of people think podiatry is just about trimming toenails, but there’s so much more beneath the surface (pun intended). One of the most rewarding parts is preventing serious complications like amputations, particularly in high-risk patients. I’ve been so lucky to work alongside some incredibly passionate podiatrists who advocate fiercely for their patients and help completely change the trajectory of their lives. Being able to intervene early, help someone stay mobile or even save a limb is incredibly powerful and fulfilling work.
If a student is considering podiatry but unsure, what advice would you give them about the future of the profession?
It’s an in-demand field. More feet = More podiatrists needed! And you can take your skills almost anywhere in the world. With the rise in diabetes, musculoskeletal issues, and an ageing population, the profession is evolving quickly. There’s room to specialise in whatever area you’re passionate about. My advice? Call your local podiatrist and ask if you can shadow them. I can almost guarantee they’ll say yes. Go to uni open days, speak to your school careers advisor about setting up work experience, or just grab a coffee (spoken like a true Melbourne local!) and have a good old chinwag with a podiatrist. You’ll be surprised by what you learn.
What would you do differently if you could go back and start your professional journey all over again?
If I could do it over, I’d definitely have taken up a rural or international placement during uni - but I was studying during the COVID years, so those opportunities weren’t really available. Looking back, I think getting that kind of early exposure to different health systems and communities would’ve added a whole new layer to my learning. Especially in rural settings, podiatrists work at a really high level of clinical autonomy, and as a student, that kind of hands-on experience would’ve had my brain buzzing (in a good way). Now that I’m working in a regional setting, I’m glad to be practising at an advanced scope, doing things like ultrasonic debridement, prescribing scheduled medicines and planning long-term offloading strategies. It’s definitely stretched me in the best way possible.
Tejus Menon, Senior Podiatrist at WA Country Health Service
Tejus is currently a Senior Podiatrist working with the WA Country Health Service (WACHS) in Geraldton. A graduate of La Trobe University, and has worked across a variety of settings, including the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania, metro Melbourne and now in regional WA. Tejus is passionate about high-risk foot care, rural health and expanding the scope of podiatric practice in regional communities. He is also a proud member of the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA).
