Sara finds a job in her field

Teacher Bernadette with Sara

My name is Sara and I'm from Iran.  I came to Australia with my husband in January 2015.  In Iran I was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Commercial Management.  I worked as a Documentation Officer for an import company for 2 years in Iran.

When I arrived in Perth I tried to find a job in a restaurant or a cafe because my English wasn't really good enough to work in my own profession.  I worked full time in a cafe and I decided to improve my English by studying with Distance Learning.

I explained my situation to my DL teacher, Bernadette, so she focused our study on the theme of Work.  I learned how to write a covering letter and I had to rewrite my resume according to Australian standards.  We pracitsed job interviews and we tried to think outside the box and prepare answers to possible tricky questions.

I was very motivated and after each lesson I would practise the interview with my husband.  After a month of very serious preparation, I applied for a Documentation Officer job in an export company and to my surprise I was invited to an interview.  I remembered everything I practised with Bernadette during our DL lessons: the language, the answers, the body language and having a positive attitude.  I was so happy when I was offered the job and very grateful to my DL teacher for her support.

My experience taught me that with hard work and motivation all dreams can come true.  I am here in this great country, doing what I know and what I'm passionate about and contributing my skills to the society.  Thanks to the AMEP DL program and to my DL teacher.

Note: The photo was taken at the Iranian Cultural Show in Perth where Teacher Bernadette had the chance to meet Sara and learn many interesting things about the Iranian culture.

Congratulations to Sara on getting a job in her field.  If you need help with job seeking skills ask your teacher for a referral to one of our specialised DL teachers.

• How is finding a job in Australia different from your country?
• Should job seekers have one resume or more when applying for different jobs?
• What stops people from pursuing a job in the same profession they had before?

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Changing careers

Yining, Navitas, Perth

I graduated from University of Shanghai, China, in the field of Science and Technology in 2002. I worked for an automotive components company as an Engineer for more than ten years. 

I came to Australia with my family in January 2014 and settled in Perth, Western Australia. At first I tried to send out my resume to many different places to find a job in my field of study as an Engineer. But all I received was rejection letters. 

When I started my Distance Learning AMEP course in June 2014, my DL teacher, Bernadette, chose the theme of Work from Your Call.  I learned how to write a good cover letter and rewrote my resume according to the Australian standards. We also practised job interview questions during class.

My DL teacher also put me in touch with the DL Pathways Advisor, Jennifer, who arranged an interview for me with the Challenger Institute.  I knew I had to change careers so I wanted to find out the best future study option.  They advised me to enrol in Certificate III in Sterilisation because there is a huge demand for new technicians.

After my English improved and I completed the Sterilisation course I sent out my new resume.  I was offered 3 interviews in hospitals and got my first job in a private hospital in Perth in December 2014. I am very happy and I feel I belong in Australia.

I am very lucky that I could study English with DL in Navitas.  I consider my DL teacher, Bernadette, to be my mentor who is guiding my new life in Australia.  I really appreciated the fact that she had a similar experience many years ago and she is willing to share her failure and success stories to encourage me.

Congratulations Yining on your first job in Australia.  We are pleased your DL teacher and Pathways Advisor were able to put you on the right path.

• How do you feel about changing careers?
• The average person changes careers 5-7 times. What do you think are the reasons?
• Have you changed careers yourself?  Why? What were the challenges and the benefits?

Check out the Pathways tab for more information on changing careers.

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