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Jacinta Burns

Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by how things work and where they fit in the world. This led me to study science at university, where I discovered Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is like a superpower for understanding the world. Imagine being able to see hidden patterns and connections just by looking…

Natalie Davenport

I grew up in sunny Florida, where I was fortunate to discover my passion early on. I was inspired by my dad, a Mechanical Engineer, I knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps. At 18, I took a leap of faith and moved to Sydney to pursue my studies at Sydney University. I graduated…

Brooke Griffin

My journey began at the age of 9 when I was fortunate enough to witness a shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral igniting my dream of becoming an astronaut. Driven by my passion for aviation, I pursued a pilots license taking my first solo flight before I could even obtain a learner car permit! However, as…

Jennah Williams

Over the past decade and across three continents, I have been fortunate enough to work in and around my two greatest passions: Marine Science (specialising in anthropogenic impacts and shark science) and STEM education. I hold a Bachelor’s (Hons) and Master’s degree in Marine Science from North Wales University Bangor (UK) and a Master’s Degree…

Gemma Sibillin

I always knew I wanted to work with numbers and maths, and after speaking to my family members in construction, they suggested I look into engineering. I landed on aerospace engineering because it sounded more interesting and fun than the rest – who doesn’t love going to the airport and looking at the planes! I…

Madeleine Seehaber

I am a Data Scientist in the Spatial field. As a high school student, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated. All I knew was that geography by far was my favourite subject. From establishing this, I did a bit of research into university courses that related to geography. I…

Mary-Ellen Feeney

I have always wanted to study science. I thought this was field science, but I discovered I like telling stories (with data) and helping teams learn new ways of doing things (with technology), especially working with other disciplines (collaboration). I studied a lot of field geography and ecology at university, however when I did my…

Demi Pye

I grew up on the Tweed Coast and had planned to be a physiotherapist / exercise physiologist or a PE teacher after my undergraduate and post-graduate studies. I had commenced my career as an exercise physiologist, specialising in musculoskeletal injuries and occupational rehabilitation management. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness in mid-2014 (end…

Ashleigh Mansfield

I am a Senior Consultant at Skotte Group applying my project management skills to large infrastructure projects and if you told me this would be my job when I graduated high school, I wouldn’t have believed you! When I was preparing to leave school, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. However, I…

Andrea Edney

When I was in high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I liked maths and economics. An engineering student came to my school and told us about engineering. I thought civil engineering sounded cool and, without any other ideas on what I wanted to do, I decided to choose that for university,…

Rachael Kelly

I always loved to draw and use technology in an artistic expression. I also spent a LOT of my time as a child on my dad’s building sites, where he built speculative homes. Looking back, it makes perfect sense to me that architecture would be a natural outlet and career path. That didn’t stop me…

Candice McLean

I was 5 when I told my parents I wanted to be a lawyer but they were most surprised I continued with this career path. After graduating from Griffith University on the Gold Coast (my home town) I spent the next 7 years in private practice. I had my first son 10 years ago, after…

Clare McKellar

In high school, I wanted to study philosophy and economics but I was always very interested in geography and nature, loved the environment from a young age going camping with my family and exploring. However I never thought I would study it, so I enrolled in an Arts Degree to study philosophy and politics. I…

Sarah Webster

I wanted to be a teacher until grade 11, where I was exposed to some accounting and business subjects that I really enjoyed. I selected a commerce degree as I needed a higher year 12 result to study it. I didn’t really know what being an accountant would be like. I finished my university degree…

Grace Engwerda

When I was in my last year of high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do at university or for the rest of my life. All I knew was that I enjoyed learning and more specifically I loved learning about Science and Mathematics. I had no idea that you could study both quite…

Gabriella D’Agata

I had no idea what I wanted to do after school, I just knew what subjects I liked to do and that my dad wanted me to get a good ATAR. School was super stressful, and I didn’t get the score I wanted (but that’s ok) and I ended up applying to study Chemical Engineering…

Kariza Martin

In year 10 I decided I wanted to be an engineer because I loved physics and math. I decided on Aerospace Engineering because I found flight so fascinating. I studied Aerospace Engineering and Business Management at RMIT University. I had an amazing university experience where I got to study overseas and do an internship at…

Julie Smith

When I was in primary school, I had my heart set on becoming a fighter pilot with the Australian Air Force. This dream influenced the subjects I chose at high school and upon completion of year 12 I was still considering this path. When the time came to decide, I was hesitant to leave home…

Jenny Whitaker

I had no clue what I wanted to do when I finished school.  I dropped out of my first degree (business) after 1 semester and started full time work as an admin assistant while I figured out what I wanted to do.  The State Government Computing Centre (now CITEC) was recruiting for computer operators and…

Caitlin Edgar

My dad has been a Police Officer since I was 8 years old and I was always inspired by his service to the community. Throughout high school, I knew I wanted to do something that was exciting and challenging, so being a Police Officer just seemed right for me. When I left school, I didn’t…