INDUSTRY

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Georgette – first to join a new industry

After more than one year of placements being affected by COVID, and policy changes, Georgette showed great resilience with a steadfast vision on obtaining her pathway of choice. Even with career obstacles, she continued to undertake work experience in areas that would provide transferable skills in the health care sector. The feedback from the employer during the interview process was fantastic —

Georgette is a distinct standout, displaying character, maturity, and foresight. A bright future awaits Georgette in the field of primary care.

Originally from a private school in Ipswich, Georgette wanted something that held more options for her career. “I really wanted to go into nursing.” Her parents looked into the AITC and Georgette went for an interview where she was offered a place the same day beginning in Year 10.

“Honestly I wasn’t nervous about the change in schools. It was sad to leave everyone but I was ready for a new chapter in my life. New beginnings and meeting new people,” she says. “I was lucky I had friends who had come across as well so I had a little group of friends already. We all made the decision to come to the AITC around the same time.”

Georgette quickly settled into the industry and education program but found work experience a challenge at first “only because I’d never done something like that before,” she says. After trying various places including veterinary surgeries and childcare places Georgette still focused on the one career she wanted — nursing. During COVID it was particularly difficult because it meant hospitals weren’t taking on school-based trainees. Tom Lewis, Industry Consultant, supported Georgette’s efforts to keep looking and through family connections at St Andrew’s Hospital they learnt about the hospital traineeship. “When I had the interview I cried because at the time I wasn’t ready. With the second interview, the interviewer already knew me and it was a lot more relaxed,” admits Georgette.

The traineeship is a Cert III in Health Support Services. “Basically, my job is personal care of patients. I help shower people, make beds, help dress patients, all that kind of caring work is involved. I’m currently in medical services and then I go to another ward. In my current ward the nurses are lovely people and willing to teach me everything.”

Georgette works every Monday and Tuesday throughout the term and goes to school from Wednesday to Friday. “I work

the entire time and I don’t fall behind. I get lots of support. The AITC works around me in a sense. If I do miss anything I’m able to catch up easily.”

With her sights set on becoming a midwife, Georgette is set to go to university. “I’m looking at the University of Southern Queensland, so I can do their headstart program next year. That’s where you’re doing some Uni subjects but you’re still in Year 12. If that doesn’t work I can apply for Uni after I finish Year 12,” she says.

“I would like to become a registered nurse first and then do midwifery. I’m nervous and excited about the future. It’s getting real now. I have six weeks to go and I’m in Year 12. All I can think about is a career in helping people. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Helping people makes me happy.”

This inspirational teenager has learnt a lot in her time at the AITC and her family are extremely proud. “I’ve learnt that I’m stronger than I thought. A few people tried to steer me away from nursing, I stuck to what I wanted and here I am. My family are over the moon! My mum is so happy — she cried the day I told her I was offered the traineeship.”

Now she’s found her career pathway Georgette says it’s “very important to graduate with Year 12 QCE — I will need this to get into university as well.”

WORDS OF WISDOM

I always wanted to do nursing. I stuck with that the entire time. If you know what you want to do then chase your dreams.

With work experience, Year 10 is the year to pick whatever you want, try whatever work experience you want, whether it’s for one day or one week, try everything.

Ringing up people can be challenging. I called 20 people before I found my first workplace — just don’t give up. I kept on trying.

Don’t feel nervous, and research businesses, look at their reviews, talk to the Industry Consultants for advice.

I’ve learnt that I’m stronger than I thought. A few people tried to steer me away from nursing, I stuck to what I wanted and here I am. My family are over the moon!

DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.