Haven’t we all worried about our future career? From a young age, we are asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” My reply was usually a Vet, a Lifeguard in Sydney, sometimes a Fireman and almost always a Power Ranger. Tornado Chaser was also high on the list.
For years, I worried and stressed about my future career and if I’d be happy doing it. All I knew is that I would never work in an office. However, my life was taking a very strange and wonderful path without me even realising it. When people say the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” I never really got it until now. Let me give you a rundown.
There were many variables leading to my choice of University course, (sadly, Power Ranger wasn’t available). I attended a Student Fair at Birmingham University (UK) with the coolest sports team on campus, the Jiu-Jitsu team! After putting on countless demonstrations to try and lure people in, I decided to take a walk around.
Next thing I knew, I was eyeballing a guy across the room. I glided over and asked what he was advertising – it was for students to work in the USA during holidays. Eight months later, I was working at a summer camp in New York. I could have signed my life away but I didn’t really care, I was only trying to get a date!
I rocked up at camp a very timid and shy human but thinking I might finally get to see a tornado. I met a couple of girls who quickly became my best friends, Steph and Jess. Hailing from Melbourne, Jess she made us pinky promise one day we would all move to Australia and live in a house together. After 5 years of returning to camp and travelling the world with those girls, I had changed into a new person. I had completely new aspirations and goals. I now wanted to work with children, so I began to teach.
A year later, I said goodbye to England and my job and moved in with the girls in Melbourne soon after. I was now at a career crossroads again. At 27 I figured I would be settled down with a husband, an amazing career and probably some small dog I can’t pronounce the name of. Don’t judge me, we have all been there.
Here’s what I knew; I’m good with people, great with children and I want to stay in Australia. By talking to the many people I met travelling, I was told recruitment is a great way to get sponsored. After sending in my resume and a few interviews, I got the job working in the Early Childhood division at anzuk Education.
The company was amazing to work with, every person in the office was unique, authentic, equally as interesting as the next and they all genuinely cared about whom and what you are. Being a people person, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I had literally struck gold! I was trained, nurtured well, I became a half decent recruitment consultant and I loved it.
Essentially, it’s networking and helping people. Developing the business and getting the opportunity to work with centres and schools is much about talking to the right person at the right time; It’s all a game of sliding doors.
After 15 months I was thriving; I’d found something I was great at and loved doing. I moved up through Senior and Team Leader roles before being offered the opportunity to start up anzuk Education in Sydney. “Great” I thought, “I can meet those Lifeguards, perfect!”
I was recently walking towards Mrs Macquarie’s Chair when I saw the most breath-taking view of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I sat down on the grass for over 2 hours just staring. All I could think was “I’m finally here”.
I am at a point in my life where I am the happiest version of me I know. This got me thinking about the sliding doors effect and all the moments that led to my current state of happiness. Although certain choices led me on the right path, ultimately it was crossing paths with influential people which made the difference.
After all those years of stressing about subject choices, career choices and what colour Power Ranger I would be (pink btw), I had no idea that just by talking to people, I was weaving a path to where I am right now.
Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing? What would you tell your younger self? Even thinking back before that ‘moment’ happens, your life is taking you on a journey. Seize every moment, talk to everyone you can. It can be a lonely world out there without people and you never know just where people may take you. No matter how bad a situation may be, if you choose to believe and accept it then you can find opportunities in everything.
There are many people I have a lot of gratitude for and many I would love to thank for my journey, however the one person I would like to thank more than anyone is the nameless guy at the Student Fair advertising something about summer camp. Wherever you are, thank you!
“Strangers are friends you just haven’t met”
