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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…

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…

Nicole Berghuis

In Grade 11, we had a Scenes of Crime Officer attend our school for a presentation. I thought it was pretty cool, however, I found the Police uniform intimidating and was unsure of myself and how I would/could get from where and who I was to where and who I wanted to be. Between school,…

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…

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…

Machel Tamani

I went to high school in Melbourne, then completed my last two years of high school in Gladstone. Whilst in Gladstone, I had to complete two subjects via online distance education, as well as three subjects at the high school I attended. When I finished high school, I was set on studying Economics at university,…

Amber Dean

After leaving school with a vague ambition to work with people, I began a Bachelor of Arts but found it too broad. Transitioning to a more specialised Bachelor of Behavioural Science, I found my passion in organizational psychology and social science research. While at uni, I saw a casual “Research Assistant” role advertised in market…

Chloe Swiney

All through high school I wanted to be a lawyer but then, when I graduated, I wasn’t so sure. Instead, one week after graduation, I started working full-time in a plumbing shop as a Customer Service/Admin Officer. In school, I watched my Dad who had been involved in Auxiliary Firefighting and I thought that was…

Michele White

My role as a police officer with the Queensland Police Service provides me the opportunity to serve and protect my community. I decided to join the police ‘late in life’ after I had been thinking about doing it for ages. It just goes to show you are never too old to find out what you…

Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager

The project manager is the key person for driving a project from start to finish, managing stakeholder/customer engagement and ensuring that the project stays within budget and is completed on time. Project managers handle the “project life cycle”. This includes the following stages:

Melissa MacFarlane

Throughout school I was always that ‘arts’ student, enjoying music studies and performing arts. I could be found in a musical theatre rehearsal or a music room, loving the challenge of different roles and learning different instruments. All through school, and right up until I joined the fire service in 2016, I worked for a…

Stephanie Castaldo

I left “mainstream school” at the end of Year 10 because I knew I wasn’t going to do well in my exams and get a good ATAR. I could never sit still or concentrate very well and was easily distracted. I moved to a sports school for Netball, to complete my Year 11 and 12…

Elena Rusca

After I finished High School, I started TAFE looking to complete a certificate in Business. Unfortunately, I did not manage to finish this qualification due to my mum passing, and me needing to begin full-time work to help my dad out financially. I began working in an Administration role in Brisbane, also working part time…

Natasha Page

I am a Data Analytics Consultant in the Transport team at Aurecon and I love being able to use data to help people to make better decisions.  I grew up in Guildford, England enjoying puzzles but trying to convince myself that I didn’t like maths because it wasn’t “cool”. I finally abandoned that view at…

Chantelle Love

I grew up in NSW riding horses and playing hockey. I moved to QLD when I was in grade 6 and started going to work with my dad during the school holidays. I studied woodwork & engineering at school as electives. In grade 12 I was offered a position at Gold Coast School of Construction…

Sonja Toft

My heritage is Czech, Russian and Ukrainian. Both my parents were born overseas and came with their parents as refugees to Australia after the 2nd world war. My Russian grandma was a big influence in my life, particularly as a young adult and I learnt two really important life lessons from her – that family…

Process Engineering Resource Recovery Manager

This role manages a team of engineers who look after the operation and fine tuning of 27 wastewater treatment plants to make sure they run optimally – and meet the required environmental standards at minimal cost (based on chemicals, electricity & other costs). People think it sounds a bit ‘yucky’ working with wastewater (or sewage)…