When I left school, I planned to become a pharmacist, particularly working in a laboratory environment. However, I did not achieve the TEE score required to enter Pharmacy, so I enrolled in Chemistry with the intention of transferring after my first year. I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed the subject and decided to continue,…
I am a dedicated and compassionate education and youth support professional with extensive experience in student mentoring, case management, career pathway planning, and learning support. In my current role as a Link and Launch Coordinator with the Department of Education, I support young people to successfully transition from school into further study, training, or employment.…
Before discovering my passion for education, I built a successful career in business, leading finance, operations and strategic improvement across multiple industries. That experience shaped my strengths in systems thinking, data analysis and organisational leadership, which I brought with me when transitioning into teaching 7 years ago. After completing a Master of Learning and Teaching…
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…
My journey as an educator has spanned more than 27 years across mathematics and STEM education. Throughout that time, I have held a variety of leadership and teaching roles, but my passion has always remained the same: helping students discover their potential through learning. I believe education is most powerful when students are challenged to…
I grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and didn’t have any special talents – just a strong interest in maths and science, and a preference for learning by doing. I also knew I wanted a career that got me outside. At different points in my life I wanted to be a vet, physicist,…
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…
In high school, physiotherapy was often suggested as a career path because I was strong in STEM and enjoyed sport. But I wanted variety and problem solving, so I chose to study a degree in Construction Management instead. That decision shaped a career I’m incredibly proud of. Construction has given me the variety I wanted…
I always liked the idea of working part time in the office and part time outside somewhere. During school, I had work experience with an engineering contractor who showed me the sites they worked on as well as the office. I was hooked! I studied at Loughborough University in the UK, a four-year course with…
I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was finishing school. I’d studied maths, physics and any of the hands-on elective courses that I could literally get my hands on (electronics, automotive, woodwork), because I really enjoyed taking things apart and figuring out how they worked and then putting them back together…
I enjoyed biology and chemistry at high school and hoped to continue studying these subjects at university. I first studied in China but was placed in a program that didn’t suit. After a year, I made the choice to start again in Australia, studying chemical and metallurgical engineering. After graduation, I went on to work…
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…
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…
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…
My journey is not so different to most others, I had NO clue what I wanted to do all throughout school and even through my first years of university. I stuck to studying what I liked and what I was interested in (economics and psychology), purely so I wouldn’t get bored during the long 4…
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…
I did not originally plan to become a surveyor after leaving school and considered careers such as accounting, medicine, and engineering. While waiting for my STPM results (equivalent to the SSCE), I completed LCCI Levels 1–3 and considered pursuing accounting before accepting an offer to study Geomatic Engineering at a local university. After graduating, I…
In Year 10, I was torn between engineering and architecture, so I did work experience in both fields. I chose engineering because of the diverse career pathways it offered. During university, I worked part-time as a cadet engineer for a structural consulting firm while completing my degree. After three years in structural consulting post-graduation, I…
All through high school I had no idea what I wanted to do but after completing a business diploma I realised, I wanted a career that blended creativity with analytical thinking and ultimately one day be a fearless boss lady. That led me to a double degree in business (marketing) and design (visual communication), where…