30/11/11

From cook to community no challenge for Kylie

For today's 'Gen Y's' their career and life aspirations are as infinite as the list is long. Some may pursue a career in fashion design, perhaps a job in IT, and engineering or mining are also popular choices. But for 23-year-old Kylie Brown, of Safety Bay, her ambitions are quite simple - to bring joy and hope to the lives of others.

This determined Certificate III in Community Services Work student and former cook works for Youth Futures, at their residential crisis accommodation for homeless and disengaged youth (aged 16-19 years).

Kylie has come a long way from her high school years where she was often led astray by negative influences.

"I was, what you would say, a messed up teenager. I hung with the wrong crowd, skipped school and could see that my spontaneous choices were taking me down a rocky path.

"I also really had no idea what it is that I wanted to do as a career. Through my school's fast track program I was saved and pursued a career in hospitality as a result.

"Cooking took me up north were I worked as a chef for six years and met my now fiancé. I have no regrets at all about this career choice," Kylie continued. "My mind though was always set on working with people, particularly young people of a similar age to myself."

"I really just fell into community services studies and it was the best decision I could make. This is exactly where I want to be and I'm excited about the future and where this new career will take me."

"Through the guidance and on-going support of the knowledgeable and helpful community services staff at Challenger Institute, I feel confident pursuing my new life path."

Kylie mentioned that her work at Youth Futures has brought a new-found sense of reality to her life and helped her to put things into perspective.

"My slightly jilted past is nothing compared with the people I see and work with at Youth Futures, who are struggling with issues such as substance misuse, domestic violence and various psychological anxieties."

"These young people have goals to succeed, to study, learn, have a career and contribute to the community, just like anyone else. My job is to help them get there by assisting with simple everyday tasks such as cooking, using a mop or attending doctor's appointments."

Challenger Institute Community Services lecturer Ian Dornan said that the employment opportunities for community service work were plentiful.

"Challenger's Community Services courses are fantastic as they allow students to enter the field as a volunteer enabling them to gain real-life work experience," Mr Dornan said.

"Kylie is a great example of this. Kylie initially volunteered at Youth Futures and given her good work ethic and obvious passion, was offered paid employment."

"Kylie is a confident, capable and committed student who I have no doubt will go far in her studies and career in this dynamic and interesting field."

Challenger Institute of Technology offers Community Services Work qualifications ranging from introductory Certificates III and IV to Diploma level. Diploma of Community Services Work graduates may be offered advanced standing in related degree courses, in areas such as human services, community development or social work.

Enrolments are now open for 2012 Community Services full-time or part-time courses. Enrol or find out more information