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Building a sustainable career
For Perth’s Anna Jacobs, returning to the Western Australian (WA) workplace after a two-year break was proving to be a challenge, despite many years of experience as an engineer in the oil and gas industry. Now she’s working as a Sustainability Consultant, with the help of GHD’s Career Relaunch Program. Read on for Anna’s story.
For Perth’s Anna Jacobs, returning to the Western Australian (WA) workplace after a two-year break was proving to be a challenge, despite many years of experience as an engineer in the oil and gas industry.
Wearing many career hats
Anna Jacobs is a woman of many talents, having worked as a Process Engineer in the oil and gas industry for more than eight years, a Project Manager in various other industries, a full-time mum for 18 years and a volunteer with a number of organisations.
After an oil and gas project she was working on fell through due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna’s contract, which came to an end in May 2020, was not renewed. This led to what would become a two-year career break, during which Anna obtained her Master of Environmental Science.
“When I decided to return to my career I faced a few challenges, including my age and a lack of flexible roles on offer. I also felt I didn’t necessarily have the ‘right’ WA experience organisations were looking for, as I am an immigrant and the majority of my professional experience had been overseas, in Africa and Qatar,” she says.
Positive experience
Two months into her job search, Anna came across GHD’s Career Relaunch Program and applied.
Anna’s extensive knowledge, skills, life experience and willingness to learn were viewed as an enormous asset, and she was offered a place in the Career Relaunch Program. She now works full time as a Sustainability Consultant at GHD.
“The Career Relaunch Program gave me insight into workplace culture and ‘how things work at GHD’. It was also good to know that others were in the same boat and facing many of the same barriers to returning to work,” Anna says.
Stepping stones to success
Anna says she has learned so much from the team and has embraced the opportunity to grow and learn, leaning into every experience.
“Thanks to the GHD Career Relaunch program, I have gained valuable skills and experiences that will undoubtedly benefit me throughout my career. I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the amazing opportunity. From the moment I applied, GHD stood out to me as a place where I could grow both personally and professionally.
“Even though it is challenging at times to keep up with everything, it has been a worthwhile journey and I have to agree with C.S. Lewis that often, what we regard as interruptions, are precisely what life is – so view every experience – positive or negative – as stepping stones in your journey,” she says.
As for how her family has managed with Anna returning to work? “My children have been great with helping out and are very independent, however my dogs have not been too happy,” Anna laughs.
About GHD’s Career Relaunch Program
At GHD, we think differently about returning to work after a career break. We offer a 10 week, paid, flexible program with the opportunity and goal of ongoing employment. This program is offered Australia and New Zealand-wide each year.
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