SPAN News - April 2022

SPAN NEWS

support, vocational guidance and network opportunities

APRIL 22

SPAN – SHARING KNOWLEDGE

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Welcome

to SPAN News April 2022!

It is with great joy that we bring you this edition of SPAN News. Featuring four women from the SCEGGS community, this issue focuses on the exciting and challenging time of the early career phase. These competent and skilled women are making their mark in their chosen profession at a time when jobs, careers and indeed the world are in a constant state of flux. They have already made great strides and are well on their way to becoming tomorrow’s inspiring leaders - we hope that you too are inspired by their journey so far!

Key to SPAN is our events program designed to bring together Old Girls, current students, parents and our wider community to exchange career

advice and provide career support.

We have a sensational and engaging program planned for 2022, including a special event in Term 2 in collaboration with our Music Department, featuring Old Girl and renowned mezzosoprano Anna DOWSLEY (2005).

Stay TUNED for more details!

In this issue we also extend a shoutout to Old Girls and current parents to help facilitate our Work Immersion Program for Years 10 – 12 students.

As always, we encourage anyone who would like to share their career story, learn more about SPAN News or the SPAN Program to contact Tina Mavritsakis at span@sceggs.nsw.edu.au or on 02 9332 1133.

CONTENTS: ENGINEERING INNOVATION K ate Manusu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 WORK IMMERSION PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 THE FRONTLINE OF NURSING Abby-Rose Schmidt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 MOTIVATED BY MUSIC Georgia Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 YEARS 11 AND 12 “FATHER”/DAUGHTER BREAKFAST. . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 15 STRATEGIC PROBLEM SOLVING Ada Yin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17

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Engineering Innovation

Kate MANUSU (2013) As the Mechanical Site Engineer for Central Station, Kate is working on Australia’s biggest public transport project.

Here, she highlights the innovative and invaluable contributions women make to careers in STEM as well as the need to subvert gender stereotypes in the industry.

What have you been up to since graduating in 2013?

Since graduating I have worked in a whole range of fields, from being in a maintenance yard working on trains (diesel and electric), designing the tunnel ventilation systems at Central for the Sydney Metro Project - Combined Services, to being a site engineer at Central Station and managing multimillion dollar design packages through delivery and installation.

In my personal life I have become an avid rock climber, I love to host dinner parties with my old high school friends, play video games with my boyfriend (who I met through engineering/work) and I even became a home owner in 2019!

Having studied both mechanical and biomedical engineering, how did you decide to pursue the former?

I found that there are not that many careers in biomedical engineering in Australia, whereas there

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is currently a massive boom in infrastructure and mechanical engineers will always be required in some capacity in Australia. I did initially investigate the possibility of following the medical side and applied at multiple biomedical companies, but there are far more biomedical engineering graduates than jobs available. I also explored going down the academic path by doing a PhD, but this didn’t assure a job at the end of four more years of study, and in the interim, I would have had to tutor and work-full time without earning a sufficient income or having much job stability.

I personally decided that the things important to me after five years of university were to be able to live in Sydney, have job security, and start earning a good income.

What does your current role at UGL involve?

I am the Mechanical Site Engineer for Central Station under the Line-wide works contract. This manages systems which are used in the Metro Tunnels for stage 2 (Chatswood to Sydenham via Central).

The mechanical systems I am particularly involved with include but are not limited to fire services, drainage, and tunnel ventilation. My current role involves a large range of activities such as: • site walks scoping out installation zones, checking and validating works • managing a compressed air subcontractor, a system which I initially helped to develop • managing the tunnel ventilation damper sub-contractor • reviewing designs, checking they comply, or in some cases, designing in scope gaps • working in multi-disciplinary teams with electrical, controls, software engineers • managing commercial variations,

claims, and general payment • reviewing, updating and drawings and models.

With more women occupying careers in STEM, what qualities do you think they bring to the industry?

Undoubtably introducing more women and general diversity into teams allows for the unleashing of a plethora of innovative ideas. STEM fields have for a long time been dragging behind many other fields in attracting a higher level of diversity. I am usually the only woman in a meeting, in the office, out at lunch and it is difficult to ignore. Issues like this can lead to feelings of isolation or provoke a sense of imposter syndrome. Subverting this stereotype is the first step to overhauling these industries to be welcoming spaces for all.

I’ve been lucky that a few of the teams I have been in have almost had a 50/50 female/male ratio and this is where you can really tell the difference. These teams display the highest level of productivity I’ve seen throughout my career; the team 5

Engineering Innovation continued

cohesion and levels of support and mentoring are unparalleled. For example, if there was a topic I didn’t understand, I would ask a team member who would go through it in detail and with an abundance of patience to ensure the knowledge was imparted. This investment of time to train up everyone, to be open and supportive, meant that the work was generally done right the first time. Everyone, no matter their level of experience, had some unique aspect they could share. In turn, this led to the sharing of our varied workloads and expertise to achieve deadlines. My experience of gender balanced workplaces is of a nurturing environment (which does not mean there are not stressful times too) but at least you know you are always in it together with your team supporting you every step of the way. It creates a foundation of respect, to be treated equally and allows you to be who you are, rather than trying to fit into a particular mould.

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How can current students prepare for a career path in engineering?

Engineering is the application of science in the world. Following a career in engineering is to be curious about the world and how things work. It is an innovative field where every day you are doing something different. If you love a challenge and are curious, it’s a fantastic path for you. While it is an intellectually thought-provoking career, you also contend with a low-diversity workforce.

If you like subjects such as Science and are reasonably good at Mathematics and English this is a good path (note I didn’t say you have to be incredible at these!). The degree itself is more science based and a good option for those who haven’t quite figured out what career they would like to delve into but are after a degree with practical applications.

Most universities have a “flexible first year” option for engineering while you try out some of the degree’s core subjects. I personally changed my degree on many occasions and this didn’t add more years to my study. I started as a “flexible first Engineering student”, originally thinking I’d like to go into mechatronics, realised that electrical and computer engineering didn’t excite me and moved into the Mechanical Engineering degree with a double degree in Arts majoring in French. I then dropped the double Arts degree and added a one-year Master of Biomedical Engineering which I studied in tandem with my mechanical degree. You can practically build your own career as you try new things at university!

If you’d like a more hands-on experience earlier on, why not do some work experience with an engineer in the field? Alternatively, there are engineering groups out there or join an external club! Feel free to contact me via span@sceggs.nsw.edu.au if you’d like to hear more!

Work Immersion Program Our Work Experience program was unfortunately cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic; however, this also presented an opportunity to approach work experience differently.

All girls in Years 10 and 11 and if appropriate, Year 12, are encouraged to undertake some work experience during a holiday period during their senior years.

Work Experience has always been challenging to secure and that has been exacerbated more so during the last two years. Workplaces have changed, more people are working from home and stricter protocols have all impacted the opportunities for young people to experience the world of work.

SCEGGS Old Girls have always played a generous and supportive role in our work experience program, providing valuable learning experiences in a workplace setting whenever possible. In addition, many Old Girls have returned to school to speak to students about their careers, sharing their experiences and knowledge of in demand careers, inspiring and motivating our students to pursue a variety of different professional pursuits. So many past students have forged remarkable and interesting career paths and it would be great to welcome you back to school to chat with the current students at SCEGGS, preferably at lunchtime (1:00pm).

Just as it was when you were at school, our students have varied interests and thoughts about their futures.

Although exciting, it can also be a daunting prospect to think about the future and it helps so much to hear from Old Girls who have experienced study, changing career ideas, working overseas, applying and succeeding in gaining internships, understanding industries and the tips and ideas that help forge a career in a competitive profession. It does not matter what you have done, we would love to hear about it! From Anthropology to Zoology and everything in between, our girls would love to meet you and hear from your experiences. In addition, if you can provide a work experience opportunity, even for just a few days, that would be so appreciated.

If you would like to visit us at SCEGGS to speak to students about your career in an informal and conversational manner or if you are in a position to offer some work experience, please email Andrea Pinnock, Careers Adviser andreapinnock@sceggs.nsw.edu.au.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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The frontline of Nursing

Abby-Rose SCHMIDT (2012) At the height of 2021’s COVID period, Abby-Rose was (and still is!) on the frontline as an ICU Nurse in RPA’s COVID ward.

Providing fascinating insight into her experiences and how SCEGGS’ emphasis on helping those in need led Abby-Rose to a career brimming with possibilities, this young Old Girl is making a difference to the lives of those needing it most.

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Having completed your nursing degree just five years ago and with the opportunity to work in environments such as GP clinics, community or telehealth nursing, what attracted you to work in a hospital setting and in particular in ICU? Most Registered Nurses (RNs) go on to apply for a “new grad” position in a hospital setting. The hospital environment is where you gain a variety of clinical skills as you are exposed to a range of clinical areas and this is beneficial for career progression. I was lucky to be offered a position at St Vincent’s Public Hospital. It was a steep learning curve and a challenging year! I spent six months in a busy surgical ward involving 13 different specialties and six months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In 2018 I applied for a two-year ICU program at RPA to consolidate my skills in critical care and be supported in a large teaching hospital. I was drawn to ICU as it’s fast-paced and challenging, with a variety of complex patient presentations. It has given me a great understanding of the pathophysiology of complex diseases as an ICU RN works closely with members of the multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists and social workers, as well as the various specialist medical teams. I love the challenge of being able to manage critically unwell and rapidly deteriorating patients. It’s an honour every day to provide comfort for the patient and their family who are experiencing what is often the worst time in their life. I personally think every new RN should have experience in a big hospital setting and I believe that my qualifications and experiences will open a range of career opportunities for me throughout my life. I know many RNs in their 50s with fascinating jobs in healthcare – and they don’t do shift work!

How does working in ICU differ from other areas of the hospital? For example, are there more specialist skills and training required?

An intensive care RN will normally care for one or two patients usually with very complex care needs.

An RN on a ward will normally have 6-8 more stable patients and they may have an AIN (Assistant in Nursing) in their team. I feel I have more autonomy working in ICU as we are trained in operating

Abby-Rose ready for her shift!

various life-supporting machinery such as ventilators, dialysis and ECMO (Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation).

The ICU medical team relies on our clinical observations and any concerns we have for our patient/s to direct care and initiate investigations.

How have your experiences in ICU transformed your career?

I completed my two-year ICU program in May 2021 and this has given me experience in all specialties of the ICU, including the Neurosurgical unit, Cardiothoracic unit and the two general units. The general units admit patients

with a variety of presentations, for example those requiring a liver transplant, medical and surgical oncology, respiratory failure, autoimmune disorders or acute deterioration of chronic illness. In the last two years, one of our general ICUs was transformed into a COVID ICU. While I’m still early in my career, I feel I am well qualified to look after critically unwell patients with complex care needs. This will make me very employable and could allow me to travel and work in any area of a hospital.

I’d also be well qualified to work in a remote or regional area too.

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The frontline of Nursing continued

During the peak of the COVID pandemic in Sydney last year, you were looking after patients in ICU due to COVID. Can you provide insight to our readers about your experience and how COVID impacted not only patients, but their families and the community?

I found working in the COVID unit stressful in 2020 when there was no vaccine. I was concerned about bringing the virus home and infecting my housemates and loved ones. The ICU where I now work has been transformed into a purpose built COVID ICU and I was caring for COVID patients in ICU every day from June 2021 to when the vaccines took effect. As I type this in January 2022, we now have the Omicron variant and while COVID hospitalisations decreased towards the end of 2021, giving us a much-needed break from PPE, our unit quickly reverted to a full COVID unit for the third time at the start of 2022.

COVID patients often progress rapidly from high flow oxygen, to being intubated and put on a ventilator and some on to ECMO. Some COVID patients remain in ICU for months. While we were well supported by senior staff, it was tough, gruelling work, spending 12 hour shifts in PPE during the winter 2021 lockdown. It was even hard to take a toilet break as the “donning and doffing” of PPE is a long process! Every day the staff would feel dehydrated and hungry.

We developed pressure areas on our face and nose from the tight fitting N95 masks and goggles. We had to shower and wash our hair after each shift and then shower again when we came home.

We had the anxiety of bringing COVID home to loved ones and of course, we needed surveillance PCR tests every 72 hours – often queuing at testing centres on our days off.

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Our issues paled in significance when we were with patients who were alone and afraid, without loved ones by their side. Many would die with the RN holding their hand. Our ICU had about three iPads which we would use to FaceTime family members during our shift.

Witnessing a goodbye to a loved one via a screen was heart-breaking. This caused families a lot of distress and there was always the fear of the unknown. On a shift last year, one of my COVID patients being kept alive by a ventilator, was rapidly deteriorating. I had her whole extended family on Zoom to say their goodbyes and they were singing her traditional songs. When the time came, I had her six children on Zoom and it was very confronting to see and hear them say their goodbyes and pleading for her to live. I had to explain what was happening and talk them through the whole situation. It was a tough day, but a few days later I received a beautiful letter of thanks from the family via the Hospital social worker. I’m so glad I was able to help in some way.

“I feel honoured being able to play such an integral role in the Pandemic. ” The Nursing profession has been in the spotlight more than ever. How does it feel playing such an integral role in managing the Pandemic?

I feel honoured being able to play such an integral role in the Pandemic.

It almost feels as though our profession is being valued more than ever; however, it was frustrating for us seeing protests

in the city and people refusing to get vaccinated. Burnout is a common experience for nurses, but we know how integral our role is in the Pandemic and to be there for our patients when their loved ones are unable to visit. I’m grateful for experts in infectious disease, research and scientists in being able to provide vaccinations to help protect our community. I think of fellow nurses overseas who died while fighting the Pandemic before vaccinations were available.

A career in Nursing can offer opportunities for leadership roles both within the hospital and in other areas such as academia, research or policy making. What trajectory do you envisage your career taking?

I envisage completing a Masters of Critical Care Nursing and becoming a Clinical Nurse consultant or a Nurse Practitioner and specialising in a specific area of critical care. As I’m still young, I also envisage travelling with nursing and using my skills in regional Australia. The work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service interests me too. I have a keen interest in a future management role where I can provide an empathetic and supportive approach to management and help new graduates during their overwhelming formative years.

What advice would you give to current students considering a similar career path?

My advice would be to apply for a nursing work experience program in Year 10 and attend any Bachelor of Nursing information day at universities. SCEGGS encourages a sense of helping others in need. I loved taking sandwiches down to Woolloomooloo with Rev Garry LeeLindsay and chatting with people who

Pressure injuries caused by 12hr shifts in PPE

were sleeping rough. I also completed my Duke of Edinburgh community service component at Wayside Chapel. I learnt that many guests had complex health issues and this sparked an interest to study nursing. My advice would be to find an area of nursing you’re passionate about and just go for it! We need more nurses and you will have a job for life with so many fascinating career opportunities.

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Motivated by Music

Georgia SCOTT (2010) Old Girl Georgia Scott is an Australian Composer, Orchestrator and Arranger, having studied at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music and The Royal College of Music in London. Not only is Georgia a talented musician, but she is also a passionate advocate for equality in the music industry and offers SPAN News readers worthwhile advice for launching a music career.

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What have you been up to since graduating from SCEGGS in 2010?

After graduating from SCEGGS, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to move to the UK to study for my Bachelor’s in Composition at the Royal College of Music in London. I really enjoyed having the chance to soak up such a diverse and accessible music scene. It was fantastic to have Europe so close by and have the chance to explore the rich cultural and musical history of many different countries.

I returned to Australia in 2016 after finishing my undergraduate degree and then began a Master’s in Speech Pathology which was another area close to my heart and this began my journey to feeling comfortable with my identity as someone living with a disability.

In 2018, I then had the opportunity to study for a master’s degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and be part of their Composing Women Program. This is a two-year professional development program that runs alongside their postgraduate courses to foster four early-career composers and aims to change the genderimbalanced programming in the music industry.

As part of this program, I was fortunate to work with some fantastic orchestras and musicians both in Australia and internationally, and the program gave me the chance to solidify my compositional voice and think about the messages that I wanted audience members to engage with through my work. I also took this opportunity to explore the representation of women with disability in music and researching this really opened my eyes to the inequality faced by artists with disability on a systemic level.

Do you have a favourite piece of music that you have composed?

I don’t know about a favourite piece of music, but there are a couple of pieces I have particularly enjoyed writing. I was fortunate to be commissioned

by The Australian Ballet to write the score for a piece called Placeless as part of their ‘Bodytorque.

Digital’ program. The writing process can often be quite isolating for composers, so I really cherished the interdisciplinary collaboration between choreographer and composer. I am very grateful

to have worked with the phenomenal choreographer Timothy Coleman who had such a deep understanding of music and its relationship to movement. It was wonderful to learn so much about a new medium too!

I also really enjoyed dipping my toes into writing opera and working with the Sydney Chamber Opera on my opera Her Dark Marauder for a similar reason. This work dealt with the complex topic of the representation of psychosocial disability on stage, so I was especially grateful to be able to work with the members of the company over an extended period, allowing the work to evolve and change through collaboration with the performers, director and dramaturg over many months. I also enjoyed the opportunity to see firsthand all the different facets that go into the creation

of a work for stage such as lighting, videography and set design, and working with different creatives to use these to explore the complex messaging surrounding representation and roles for people with disability in society.

In a short amount of time, you have established yourself as a young leader advocating for equality in the music industry. What obstacles have you faced and why do you think it’s important to be an agent of change?

I have been incredibly privileged in many ways, and it is important that I don’t erase that. I have been very lucky to have had a fantastic education and to have been given the support and intervention I’ve needed to live with my disability as easily as possible. Living with cerebral palsy and a vision impairment has meant 13

Motivated by Music continued

that I find work involving fine motor control and visual tasks more difficult, but I have been fortunate to be able to find workarounds to allow me to compose as efficiently as I can.

I feel that I have a responsibility as someone with a disability working in the arts sector to advocate for a shift in programming and accessibility so that our authentic stories are presented on stage.

Throughout history the arts have played an unfortunate role in perpetuating the erasure of people with disability and our stories, lived experience, and perspectives.

The representation of people with disability on the stage and in the concerthall has been often through the gaze of people who don’t understand our lived experience and we are reduced to a series of myths, tropes and curiosities (e.g., Captain Hook, Quasimodo or Nessarose from Wicked). We need to advocate for change, as society often still views our presence on stage with discomfort and our work is considered either inferior or “inspirational” solely because the creator identifies as disabled. The statistics show that although people with disability are more likely to be involved in the arts, only 9% of artists identify as disabled even though we make up almost a fifth of the population and artists with disability earn on average around 40% less than artists without disability. So, it’s pretty clear that there is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed and we have to make some noise when we’re given a platform to do so!

What can we expect to hear from you next?

This year I’m very grateful to be writing for the Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras and collaborating with Sydney Symphony Orchestra Cellist Christopher Pidcock. I’m also in the early stages of helping to co-curate a music 14

and disability concert showcasing the music of composers and performers with disability later in the year. I can also now share that I’m going to be writing a work for the Sydney Bach Society later this year which is directed by another composer and former SCEGGS student, Dr Aristea MELLOS (2005)! Aristea will also be writing a work for the series, and I’m really thrilled to be involved in such a fantastic project.

What steps do you encourage young musicians to take to help them establish their careers?

My main advice to young musicians is to work hard, don’t forget to have fun with the music you write and/or perform, and to stay true to yourself (and don’t let anyone try and steer you away from music if it’s your passion!). Use the time now to build up your technical skills and to listen to as much diverse music as you possibly can, and don’t be afraid to just jump in and sign-up for opportunities to compose or perform, don’t wait until they come knocking! SCEGGS has a fantastic co-curricular Music program for performers to gain experience, so if you’re interested in performing, sign up for everything that is on offer. Also, initiatives like Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Voices, Sydney Youth Orchestra and Australian Youth Orchestra are fantastic places to hone your skills and meet like-minded friends. There are also some great opportunities springing up for high-school-aged composers, such as the Artology “Fanfare” competition where you write an orchestral fanfare, have it recorded, and are mentored by a leading Australian composer. So, I would advise anyone interested in composition (as I was when I was at school) to actively look for young composer competitions and sign-up for as many of these opportunities as you can!

“Father”/Daughter Breakfast

Year 11 and 12 “Father”/Daughter Breakfast The much-loved “Father”/Daughter Breakfasts returned to the SCEGGS events calendar this year after being stalled by the pandemic. Designed to give current students an opportunity to hear from Old Girls about their careers, as well as to ask questions to guide students as they begin to think about their own career journey, 2022’s program kicked off with Old Girl Elizabeth MILLER (2011) who addressed Year 11 and 12 students and their fathers. Currently a Liaison Officer with the Office for the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Elizabeth has amassed an impressive array of skills and experience in the decade since leaving school. Graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Archaeology in 2016 and a Juris Doctor in 2019, Elizabeth served two years on the University’s governing body, the Senate, was Campus Director for the Sydney University Law Society and a Member of the Sydney Uni Sport and Fitness Management Committee. Not afraid of responsibility, Elizabeth was also a Senior Resident Assistant at The Women’s College and has served as a Pilot Officer with the Australian Air Force Cadets for more than seven years. Over breakfast pastries and warm coffee, audiences delighted in hearing Elizabeth’s insights and experiences, including her “10 top tips for the world behind the Green Gate”. These included encouraging students to make the most of their time left at SCEGGS, advising the girls that the more they get involved at university, the more opportunities that will open up and to “never rule yourself out”. The

morning concluded with many interesting questions from the girls and their fathers and a renewed energy by each girl to do their best!

Our next “Father”/Daughter breakfast will be for Year 9 and 10 students on Friday 20 May, with details to be shared with the School community in due course.

MC Simon Tobin with Guest Speaker Elizabeth Miller

Justin and Scarlett Phillips 15

Tim and Zoe Hicks, Gagara Farrawell, Amelia and Matt Moran

Paul and Madeline Bird

Ella and Nick McGrath 16

Chloe and James France

Patrick Michel, Brett and Lisa Vincent, Emily Michel

Jerry and Matilda Berowne

Strategic Problem Solving

Ada YIN (2014) From a Bachelor of Commerce to cognitive science, Ada Yin has channelled her problemsolving capabilities to deliver tangible solutions for business clients.

Acknowledging the importance of emotional intelligence in her field, Ada tells us how debating and public speaking at SCEGGS provided her foundational skills to communicate effectively.

Can you tell us a little bit about what you have been up to since graduating in 2014?

I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) at the University of Sydney majoring in Business Information Systems and Finance.

I used the liberal component of my degree to follow my interest about how people and technology intersect. Through this, I attended the University of California San Diego as an exchange student where I studied cognitive science, took a coding class and gained a minor in Economics.

My first corporate role was at Microsoft where I worked part-time for just over 18 months while continuing with my studies. At Microsoft, I fell in love with technology’s ability to help people solve problems in innovative and simpler ways. In this role, I started by working in technology strategy in enterprise sales (FinTech), moved onto building solutions with our partner businesses (Education) and rounded out my time in the more deeply technical space of Data and Artificial Intelligence solutions architecture.

My desire to understand all the levers that drive a successful business in an industry agnostic way led me into management consulting, which I have now been in for two years. I started in pure strategy at EY-Parthenon (now EY-PJP) but was drawn to the mixture of high-level strategy and complex operational problems Partners in Performance excelled at solving. Since joining I’ve tackled problems across a range of industries and operational areas including Government, Financial Services, Heavy Industry, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and Private Equity. Some of the most memorable of these include conducting the vendor due diligence of an ESG company that sold for $500m, developing emission reduction strategies for heavy emitters, and being on the ground delivering $18.4m in benefits for a mine by optimising their resourcing levels.

What led you to your current role at Partners in Performance? Was this something you always wanted to do?

I joined Partners in Performance as a Business Analyst a year ago because I wanted to work more 17

collaboratively with clients to guide them in solving dynamic problems. Through my work in the field of pure strategy, I realised there was a gap between developing a strategy for a business and presenting the strategy in a way that the business could execute it in a tangible, successful and sustainable manner.

Businesses are built on and for people, so understanding this piece of the puzzle was important to me. I admired Partners in Performance’s results-focus and thoughtful approach to developing people (both clients and internally) and was quick to apply for a role with them.

This philosophy is what excited me the most and I saw it as an opportunity to learn and grow. From day one, I’ve had incredible support and mentorship from all levels of leadership and a work environment that encourages me to be curious, challenges me and pushes me to step outside my comfort zone. Since being promoted to Associate, it’s been a rewarding experience to pass-on the knowledge shared with me as I coach my own apprentice!

Your company thrives on “rolling up our sleeves and working alongside client teams”. How did your SCEGGS education help you tap into that philosophy?

The skills I’ve found most helpful for being on the ground working with clients are emotional intelligence, effective communication, humility, and a desire to learn from others. The analysis is frequently the easier part. The more difficult yet rewarding aspect of my role is taking the client on the journey so they can own the problem and solution.

I think SCEGGS has a value system and curriculum that supports the development of confident, articulate, compassionate women. This leans well 18

into “rolling up our sleeves and working alongside client teams”. Studying terrific texts by authors such as Virginia Woolf is one example that comes to mind.

Another example is participating in public speaking and debating with Mrs Carter. As quite a shy and anxious student early in high school, I found these activities extremely valuable as they helped me learn how to communicate my thoughts in a structured and impactful way. To this day, I think learning from Mrs Carter and completing her Certificate of Communication were some of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

While completing your Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) at the University of Sydney, you were a Student Ambassador. What did that entail and how did it prepare you for the workforce?

Being a Student Ambassador involved working for the student recruitment arm of the University. We would help operate stalls at high school career fairs, run workshops, deliver presentations about the University’s student experience and the degrees they offered future students not only in Australia, but internationally too. I became well-practiced in three key skills that have been useful for relationship building and presenting in the workforce: effective storytelling, how to rapidly build rapport, and how to ask questions that generate meaningful insights.

Tell us about the most challenging problem you have solved or a process that you have helped to improve for a client?

The current project I’m working on is up there! I’m part of a global team across South Africa and Australia tasked with developing the emission reduction

strategy and implementation roadmap for an international Heavy Industry company. This involves assessing the economic and emission values that can be achieved by applying different technological solutions such as ways to decarbonise the company’s energy source and electrify their operations.

What has been particularly challenging about this project is co-ordinating the analysis across multiple countries, the many unique characteristics that need to be modelled for each country and tailoring the technology specifications accordingly. To accommodate these challenges, we are problem solving and validating our analysis with the client every second day. We have adopted this detailed and highly engaged approach to increase the likelihood of success.

What advice would you give to current students wanting a career in consulting?

My top three tips are: 1. Seek to gain practical experience and demonstrate the impact you can make early on your journey, whether it be in your casual job,

volunteering or building a passion project on the side. I think anything that allows you to practice accountability, responsibility and teamwork can really help you build your skills in resilience, adaptability and awareness which are useful in the workplace. While at university, look out for case competitions or organisations like 180 Degrees Consulting that host student-run projects for non-for-profits as well as consulting-related clubs and societies.

2. Aim for at least a Distinction average if you’re looking to enter consulting as a graduate. But remember, that many people enter the industry through other pathways and marks are not necessarily a deal-breaker.

3. Aim for an internship by your penultimate year. Research recruitment cycles (when applications generally open and close for firms) and plan for these.

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SPAN NEWS

support, vocational guidance and network opportunities