Skip to content
ComponentOne:

Amber Heaney

Teaching was a career I came to later in life, after spending many years working across retail, banking and customer service. I commenced university at 35 and became an English teacher, where I developed a passion for supporting young people to grow in confidence and discover their potential. In 2025, I transitioned into Career Practice…

Peta-Anne McNaught

With more than ten years of experience in this regional leadership role, Peta-Anne has led and supported a broad range of collaborative projects and strategic partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for students, staff, schools, and local communities. She is passionate about bringing people together to build strong networks that enhance educational outcomes and strengthen community…

Samantha Kerr

I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I finished high school, but I enjoyed maths and science and wanted a career that made a difference. A family friend studying engineering, along with encouragement from teachers and parents, led me to choose electrical engineering—despite not fully understanding what engineers did day to day. I…

Technical Director

As an Electrical Engineering Project Manager, I lead and manage multidisciplinary teams to deliver energy infrastructure projects such as power lines and substations. I work closely with engineers, planners, designers, and other specialists to develop and execute project plans, ensuring successful delivery from concept through to completion. My role involves coordinating daily activities, setting clear…

Kristy Petroff

Science was never on my radar growing up. I was the drama, history, and literature kid, until a diving trip to Thailand changed everything. My instructor had this way of explaining the complex ecological relationships happening right in front of us underwater, and something clicked. I didn’t just want to see it; I wanted to…

Lucy Ross

During high school I had no idea what career path I would take – I had a passion for dancing (at one point I actually thought I wanted to pursue that full time) but also enjoyed academics. I ended up studying a dual degree of Journalism and Law at university – not because I knew…

Dips Narayan

When I left school, I had no idea I’d end up in construction — I actually studied videography. After travelling Europe on my OE, I landed a job in London with an infrastructure company, and that’s where everything changed. I realised I loved being part of something real — where ideas turn into buildings you…

Mia Hoffmann

When I finished high school, I took a gap year before enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts (Writing). I chose this degree because while I knew I wanted to go to uni, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I’ve always been a “words person”. After I graduated, I…

Shaunii Murton

Throughout school, my main focus was competing in athletics and sport. I enjoyed being active and challenging myself, and my favourite subjects included biology, physical education, and humanities. While I enjoyed learning, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to become after school and struggled to see a career path that felt…

Kalina Krzak

Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want to be; that was definitely not me! High school was not a great time for me, and I missed a big chunk of my senior years due to illness. After graduating, I enrolled in a dual engineering/science degree and picked aerospace for my engineering major (because…

Suhaila Muhamad

My journey may be slightly different than the rest! Before graduating from high school, I was offered a scholarship to study at an engineering university in Malaysia, one owned by the national oil company. That opportunity set my early career path towards the oil and gas sector, which suited my desire to travel and work…

Tara Pollock

In my final year of school, I was unsure about what career I wanted to pursue. I chose to study a dual degree in Biomedical Science and Commerce because I was interested in both areas and wanted to keep my options open. At university, I enjoyed learning and trying new things, and during my final…

Steph Byrom

My career path has evolved through a series of defining pivots. When I left school, I initially planned to pursue criminology, inspired by a version of the field that didn’t quite match the reality once I explored it further. After one semester, I shifted to studying International Politics at the University of Queensland, where I…

Phoebe Salter

I’m a Civil Designer at Hansen Engineering Group and I love creating infrastructure that helps communities grow and stay connected. I grew up in Toowoomba and started my career as a Cabinet Maker, where I discovered how much I enjoy design and making things work smoothly. That interest eventually led me to Civil Engineering. I…

Elizabeth (Liz) Beavis

I grew up loving science and solving problems, which led me to study chemical engineering and eventually earn a PhD. I started my career working in power stations, learning how energy is made and how to keep things running safely. Over time, I became a leader in renewable energy, managing wind farms and helping communities…

Zoe Giagoudakis

From no clue what I wanted to do in high school, to still exploring my passions today, my journey has been full of discovery. In school, I was really curious and loved being involved – sports, dance & musicals, public speaking and volunteering. I finished Year 12 with a mix of subjects, many interests and…

Olinda Garcia Gomez

I attended an all-girls school in Peru where arts, math and literature were my favorite subjects. After finishing school, I was still unsure about what I wanted and with the guidance of my father, I enrolled in science but was still open for change. However, a three-month apprentice working in a remote mine gave me…

Emma Klint-Pedersen

I have always loved building things, whether it was playing with LEGO or getting hands-on with projects. Throughout primary and high school, I really enjoyed maths and science but wasn’t sure how to turn that passion into a career. Luckily, engineering was offered as a subject in high school, and that’s when everything started to…

Grace Upton

My journey to where I am now has been anything but straightforward. After finishing school, I wasn’t sure who or what I wanted to be, but I knew I wanted a job where every day was different, full of problem-solving, and involved my passion for numbers. Encouraged to pursue engineering, I graduated with a bachelor’s…