NATALIE MUNRO, TEACHER Where are you from?

Originally from Hobart in Tasmania.

What does your career journey look like?

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I left school, but I had this underlying passion for everything outdoors and a sense of adventure. After school, I became a tour guide for six-day walking tours in Tasmania’s mountains. My schedule would be six days working, two days off, then back working for another six days. I loved this job; even though it was a heavy work schedule, being surrounded by my passion for the outdoors motivated me.

I then decided to undertake studying at University and studied a Bachelor of Human Movement and Outdoor Education. I was inspired to do this as I wanted to do something I love. My passion for the outdoors drove me towards this degree, but barricading the way was the fact that I couldn’t find any jobs available in this area after I had finished. Disheartened by this, I decided to take a Gap year to the USA. I spent six months backpacking around different places and working at a summer camp as an instructor. During my Gap year, my love of adventure never stopped; I travelled to Indonesia to climb volcanoes and wilderness areas for hiking.

I was then offered a job in a teaching role, which I couldn’t refuse. I have now been teaching for eight years. I am still undergoing relevant training and am considering doing a master’s degree to become a better teacher for my students. I want to provide students with the best quality teacher they can get. My adventurous streak still continues as I have recently walked the Incan trail all the way to Machu Picchu. I love my career choice. I love interacting with other people, I love challenges and problem solving, and love the adventure I can pass on to my students in Outdoor Education classes.

What is your piece of advice for the Year 10 students?

Do what you love, learn from your mistakes and put goals in place to achieve them. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes those bad hiccups turn into a new opportunity for something good.EMILY MASCARO, YEAR 12 ACCESS STUDENT Where are you from?

Perth, Western Australia.

What does your career journey look like?

I am in Year 12 at Santa Maria College, and currently completing my work placement as part of the ACCESS program, in the Community Relations Department at the College. In Year 10, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I finished school; that was to pursue a career in professional cycling and to become a professional athlete.

Choosing between the ATAR and ACCESS pathway was not difficult at all. I knew in order to train and race at a high level I would not be able to cope with the workload required from the ATAR pathway, even though I had the potential and the grades required. The workload ATAR would bring, and the lack of time to train, would impact greatly and I didn’t want this to happen. I decided to do the ACCESS pathway and have never looked back. I am able to train at the high standard I need to, whilst still completing my school work to a high standard as well. Last year I was selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas. This was a major honour and a big step forward in my cycling career. This year, I have been given the opportunity to live and race in Belgium for one month, racing junior races and also elite.

I do have a backup plan if my cycling career doesn’t work out. Options of studying journalism in an online university course interests me and also completing a certificate or apprenticeship in hairdressing. Whatever happens in the future, I am very committed and goal driven. If my cycling career works out I would love to be an advocate for women’s cycling and provide more opportunities for development into the professional ranks. Establishing my own team, and managing it is a goal in mind.

What is your piece of advice for the Year 10 students?

Follow your dreams. You only get once chance in life, so don’t listen to the negative voices of others, but instead go out there and make your mark on the world.