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…
When I was at school, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, and honestly, I’m still working it out. I went to university hoping it would buy me some time, so I enrolled in a science degree at UQ and sampled everything: engineering, psychology, technology, human movements… basically career…
As a kid, I was obsessed with re-planning my room and begged my parents to take me to open house inspections, imagining how I’d redesign every space. After high school, I wasn’t sure what to do—architecture sounded amazing, but the maths and science felt scary at the time. I finished a Bachelor of Commerce, but…
In high school, I was a full-time science geek, head in my books and obsessed with glaciers. I wanted to be a glaciologist, but the only university offering it was too far, so I chose geology. I fell in love with rocks and the science behind them. After university, I became a petrophysicist (looked at…
When I was in Year 10 at boarding school, I described my exact job I have now to my friends. I remember it so vividly. I would be working at a school but not teaching, I would be helping young people with advice and insights on their future options, and I would have a lot…
I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do when I left school, but I knew I wanted to work with people and have variety in my day. I took a gap year to work and travel, exploring different paths. After experiences in retail, hospitality, and travelling to Italy, I realised I enjoyed helping others…
I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life when I was 17 and I followed my peers into a Psychology degree at university. I was 3 years in to the degree and still unsure of my future. I pivoted and graduated from a Bachelor of Public Relations & Communications thinking that…
Driven by curiosity about how business works, I started my career in marketing and brand management and made it all the way up to Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Russian Bobsleigh Federation. To take it to the next step, I went to Singapore to study an MBA. At that time innovation and…
I began my career straight out of school, choosing to pursue an apprenticeship rather than complete Year 12. From the start, I knew I wanted to take a different path. I was proud to be only the third female apprentice ever at Energex (at the time), where I went on to spend the next fourteen…
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…
My journey to becoming an Electrical Engineer has been anything but typical. Although I loved physics at school, my strength in English led me to study it at university. I quickly realised it wasn’t the right path and left to start an Engineering apprenticeship—becoming the only girl among 100 apprentices! After qualifying, I worked as…
I was inspired by the idea that as an educator, I could help shape minds, foster creativity, and empower students to discover their potential. I see education not just as a profession, but as a mission—one that involves patience, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Pursuing additional qualifications and taking opportunities for continual learning…
When I left school, I knew I wanted to pursue a trade. I’d enjoyed technical drawing and applied to the Polytechnical Institute to study architectural design drafting. Over the years, I changed careers several times but I always found my way back to drafting. The tools of the trade have evolved dramatically, from pens, paper…
I originally wanted to be a pilot – I thought getting paid to travel the world would be amazing. I applied for the Air Force but didn’t get in, and suddenly I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I’ve always been good at maths and problem solving, so I spoke to my mum about…
Growing up in regional Queensland, I didn’t always have a clear idea of what I wanted to do with my future. It felt uncertain – like a blank page. But over time, I realised that not knowing gave me the freedom to explore, to dream big, and to figure out what truly inspired me. When…
I had wanted to become a firefighter since I was a child! At the age of 17, I knocked on the door of the local fire station. This station was auxiliary firefighters (on call in small communities), and I was told that I was too young! With that in mind, I found a fulltime management…
When I left high school my plan was to go into acting, but my Mum wasn’t psyched at that idea and encouraged me to get a job that would pay money. So I did a dual degree in Creative Industries (Communication Design) and Information Technology, as I was pretty good with a computer and figured…
When I was in grade 7, I knew I was going to be a lawyer. Initially I thought I would become a divorce lawyer. But I quickly knew I wanted to do more than just be in a court room and argue about cases theoretically. While it took me a while to navigate towards the…
At high school I really enjoyed geography and in particular how water shapes coastal landforms. I was good at math, physics and chemistry. So, at a university career day I spoke to someone about a new course starting in civil and environmental engineering and I was assured this course involves working with water and landforms.…
In high school, I had no idea what I wanted to study. I picked Applied Science from a uni course guide, hoping to become a doctor. After two years at Griffith University, I realised a Bachelor of Applied Science wasn’t for me. With my Grandad and Dad both builders, and my older brother studying Civil…