Your career will be as unique as you. It will be a journey full of twists and turns and ups and downs. In Career Stories, you’ll see how people have navigated their career journey so far. Some had a clear idea of where they wanted to go. And others ended up in unexpected places because they gave new things a go or changed their mind. Either way, you’ll see how things have a habit of working out.
Michael Shaw
Job: Kitchen Operations Support Staff
Industry/Sector: Tourism and Hospitality
I’m much more confident, whereas before my nerves were bundled up all the time and I was freaking out inside. Now I’m much better at managing my stress and anxiety and being more confident with dealing with customers.
Danielle Patten
Job: Teacher – VET
Industry/Sector: Education
I was in a bit of a rut with nursing, and just wanted a shake-up – something to excite me again, so I decided to take the TasTAFE pathway and I haven’t looked back.
Joshua Boon
Job: Teacher – VET
Industry/Sector: Education
I’ve always enjoyed the teaching side of things. Helping people grow and expand their skillset, seeing the outcomes, the satisfaction…and providing them with the knowledge to be able to do things well.
Karlie Morgan
Job: Apprentice – Heavy Commercial Vehicles
Industry/Sector: Automotive
What’s great about doing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) is that I’m getting the opportunity to start the career I want.
Naomi Humphreys
Job: School Social Worker
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
I love working with young people. Being able to spend time and listen to what’s happening in their lives. Helping them to grow the skills and the confidence to manage life’s challenges. It has provided an opportunity for me to grow as a practitioner.
Donna Gayton
Job: School Psychologist
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
Having kids has helped me as a psychologist. And being a psychologist has helped me as a parent. Once I had kids and I was working as a psych, I began thinking ‘now I get it!’ with some of the parenting stuff.
Ben Salmon
Job: Kitchen Operations Teacher
Industry/Sector: Education, Hospitality
How a taste for travel helped Ben find the right ingredients for a rewarding career as a school teacher.
Jess Gala
Job: Child Safety Officer
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
I think it’s a really great career if you’re wanting variety. No two families you’re working with are the same. You’ll learn a lot about people, and hear so many life stories.
Lyndon Riggall
Job: English Teacher
Industry/Sector: Education
Lyndon’s parents knew he’d be a great teacher before he did. His career path shows there’s no right or wrong direction to explore.
Celia Beyer
Job: Senior Occupational Therapist
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
I like the variety of working with different people. I get to know people and develop a holistic picture of their life. Plus, there is a bit of problem-solving, and creative thinking involved to help people return to daily tasks and get home.
Danielle Seadon
Job: School Health Nurse
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
There’s a lot of pressure on young people to know exactly what they want to be. But I think there are plenty of opportunities to go and experience things, and see what you like. And if you don’t like it, you can always pivot and try something else.
Maddy Polegaj
Job: School Speech Pathologist
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
I love the human brain. Even when I was in Year 6, I used to always watch ‘Big Brother’ because I was fascinated by human behaviour
Jack Bignall
Job: Dairy Farm Manager
Industry/Sector: Agriculture, Business & Management
At only 24 years of age, Jack became the manager of a Dairy Farm that goes back three generations. And guess what? He’s loving it.
Breanna Franklin
Job: Finance
Industry/Sector: Business and Finance
I’m glad that I did choose to do the internship and it is quite manageable with your studies.
Ethan Bligh
Job: Specialist Welder
Industry/Sector: Advanced Manufacturing
I’m proud of what we make in Tasmania. I’m so very proud to know what we make is used across the world. I find it amazing where things we make end up.
Virginia Andrews-Goff
Job: Marine Mammal Scientist
Industry/Sector: Marine Science
The first time I saw the ice edge, I was standing right at the top of the Aurora Australis by myself. My brain was literally so overwhelmed by what I saw that, hilariously, I burst into tears.
Rebekah Cook
Job: Speech and Language Pathologist
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
The kids are so clever. They just need that little bit of time or practice, and you’re there helping them to get where you knew they could go. You get to play a little part in helping them reach their potential.
Michael Marshall
Job: Firefighter
Industry/Sector: Emergency Services
Being part of a high performing team and serving the community are just a couple of reasons why Michael decided to join the Tasmanian Fire Service.
Kendal Sylvester
Job: Nursing Student and Health Professional
Industry/Sector: Health and Community Care
Throughout high school I was never certain of the career I wanted to pursue. I had lots of ideas, but nothing jumped out as ‘the one’. I started thinking about the life I wanted and identifying where my skills and strengths might be best suited.
Kitana Mansell
Job: Project Coordinator
Industry/Sector: Hospitality and Cultural Awareness
The best way I think to connect with culture is through food, and storytelling behind what we are eating. Traditional food that people have been eating for thousands of years.
Eleanor Spencer
Job: Marine Biology PhD
Industry/Sector: STEM
I have always wanted to study Marine Biology. I volunteered to work at my local zoo while I was in High School
Joe Brooks
Job: Podiatrist
Industry/Sector: Allied Health
The ability to help someone is such a rewarding and purposeful aspect of a job! They say find something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
Hamish Donaldson
Job: Electronics Technician
Industry/Sector: Defence Force
If you want to see the world and have an incredible career, there’s nothing like the Australian Defence Force according to Hamish.
Trish Squires
Job: CEO
Industry/Sector: Sport, Recreation
The previous CEO of AFL Tasmania, Trish Squires, shares her ideas on resilience and leadership. This includes being OK with not being perfect.
Robert Knight
Job: Tour Operator
Industry/Sector: Hospitality and Tourism
Rob felt the fear of working on a Russian ice-breaker, skiing to the north pole, and running his own business. He did it anyway.
James Noden
Job: Builder
Industry/Sector: Building & Construction
Former apprentice of the year, now business owner and family man – all by the age of 29. Find out how James has laid the foundations for his career.
Sam Howe
Job: Lecturer ‘Human and Exercise Physiology’
Industry/Sector: Education
From a budding tennis career to a University Lecturer with a PhD, Sam Howe has been smashing it. He shares his story.
Kyia Clayton
Job: Radio Producer
Industry/Sector: Arts & Media
How a chance meeting and a pro-active approach led Kyia to her perfect job.
Bec Pitts
Job: Psychologist
Industry/Sector: Health
A deep curiosity in the way humans work led Bec to a career in Psychology. She takes time out to share her story.
Aloise Lambeen
Job: Nutrition Therapist
Industry/Sector: Health
Aloise completed a Degree in Marketing, and did a stint at a big digital marketing firm. But then she went in a completely different direction.
Ally Daley
Job: Interior Consultant
Industry/Sector: Construction, Professional Services
From an early age, Ally wanted to work in Interior Design. We talk to Ally about her unconventional pathway to get to her dream job.
Video Profiles
Bianca Eberle
Job: Electrical Apprentice
Industry: Electrotechnology
Bianca is a first year electrical apprentice employed by NECA Education & Careers and hosted by RBD Electrical.
Learn more:
www.necaeducation.com.au
Greg
Job: CNC Machinist
Industry: Manufacturing
“You need to be quite focused and to be able to interpret correctly to ensure you’re supplying what the customer requires.”
Learn more:
tmec.com.au/cnc-machinist
Lydia Dales
Job: Project Manager
Industry: Building and Construction
Working all day behind a desk wasn’t appealing to Project Manager Lydia who originally studied accounting. Now the sky’s the limit.
Learn more:
buildsomethingbig.com.au/stories
Zac
Job: Mechatronics Engineer
Industry: Engineering/Electronics
“The fact I get to see the design and the build process from start to finish. Not many things are more satisfying than when you get it right.”
Learn more:
tmec.com.au/mechatronics-engineer
Connor Hoskinson
Job: Civil Construction Trainee
Industry: Civil Construction
When Connor first started as a trainee he found it quite overwhelming working on the big projects, but now he is taking the lead to teach others.
Learn more:
buildsomethingbig.com.au/stories
Kate
Job: Environmental Officer
Industry: Mining
The Tasmanian mineral resource industry are global leaders in environmental care, community, human rights and safety and generates 64% of Tasmania’s export value from just 1% of our land area.
Learn more:
Environmental Officer