Facing significant challenges including mental health issues due to a family breakdown. Participant Elizabeth felt lost, with barriers affecting her ability to continue in several jobs.
The 22-year-old often felt disheartened because she couldn’t find suitable employment. This led to a path of long term unemployment. However deep down, she believed she could strive for much more.
Finding the right support
Looking to turn her life around, Elizabeth approached OCTEC Transition to Work (TtW) in Wollongong. This is where she partnered with Consultant Emily Sevim, who believed in her potential and guided her on the right path to employment.
Emily encouraged Elizabeth to participate in various onsite OCTEC workshops. These included goal setting, financial money me, interview skills, and Empowering Women into Employment program with training organisation MAS National. All of this helped her build confidence and set clear goals, giving her the opportunity to dream once again.
The comprehensive reset helped Elizabeth build her confidence that helped her face the challenges of job seeking. She called on her passion for writing as an outlet. Throughout this process, she dedicated time to working on her self-published book – a dream project in the making.
Path to employment
Filled with newfound confidence, Elizabeth focused on a finding a role that aligned with her skills. She aimed to harness her skills such as writing and computer literature, as well as her professional experience in hospitality.
Though Elizabeth’s journey didn’t come easy. She faced continuous rejection for over six months of applying for various jobs. But Emily constantly supported her, providing further encouragement during this difficult navigation.
Landing her ideal job
After a long and challenging search for the right job, Elizabeth finally secured a full-time position as a floor staff team member at a local Polish restaurant, Dom on Burelli. From her very first day, she felt an immediate connection with her new team, who fostered a warm and supportive environment.
This role was the perfect match for Elizabeth. It allowed her to showcase her bubbly personality and engage with a diverse range of customers on a daily basis.
Elizabeth continued to receive mentor support from Emily, monitoring her wellbeing and offering work flexibility at Dom on Burelli.
Thriving in her new role, Elizabeth continued to kick her goals.
Along with doing well at work, she’s now a published author, with her first book titled Purple Prayers: A Notes App Full of Sin. It contains a collection of over 45 poems, and is available worldwide on Amazon in paperback and as a kindle edition.
Elizabeth was fulfilled by the incredible support from Emily and the caring work environment from her new employer.
“After seven months of rejection from every job I had applied for, I wasn’t feeling very hopeful that I would find a job, let alone the right one for me. I continued to put myself out there, continued to apply for jobs despite the rejection, and now I’m working at my favourite job I’ve ever had! I’m working within a team that values me, that supports me, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m excited to see where my progress in this role will take me. I’m thankful for the people and support I was given during my time job searching, and would like to give special thanks to Emily Sevim, who helped me throughout this whole process.”
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth’s inspirational journey highlights how the right employment support and some encouragement can go a long way in changing a participant’s life. She hopes her story can inspire others in similar situations to chase their dreams.
If you’re interested in achieving your goals like Elizabeth, we can assist you. Connect with a Consultant by filling out the form below.
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