✨ Reflecting on Career Pathways

While moving house recently, I came across an old business card from my time at Ray White. It instantly took me back to those early days in real estate — when I was young, eager, and just starting out as a property manager on a career, I thought would last me a lifetime.

Back then, my world revolved around tenancy agreements, inspections, and property portfolios. But as life often does, my career path shifted. I moved into community housing — and this change completely altered the way I saw my work and myself.

In that role, I supported tenants who weren’t just looking for a roof over their heads. Many were navigating complex challenges: mental health concerns, alcohol and other drug use, the impacts of domestic and family violence, and in some heart breaking cases, supporting families through the loss of life to suicide. These experiences deeply shaped me.

It was during this time I realised my true passion wasn’t in property — it was in people. I found purpose in supporting others through crisis with empathy, respect, and care. That realisation shifted not only my career, but my studies. I made the decision to leave behind my marketing diploma and instead pursue pathways in community health, mental health, and eventually into training and education — where I now work to empower others with the skills to support people in need.

That transition from real estate to community housing was a turning point. It showed me that career changes aren’t just possible — they can be powerful. They can open doors we didn’t even know existed and lead us to work that truly aligns with our values.

I was sharing this with a student from our Onwards & Upwards program today through Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation and it reminded me: careers are rarely straight lines. Sometimes it’s the unexpected turns that