Emma's relaunch leads the way
Emma spent ten years working as geologist before pivoting to photography, a profession that gave her the flexibility she needed while raising her four young children.
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Rural life - careers, children and cattle
After working across Queensland for more than eight years, Jessica took a 14 year career break to raise her four children on their cattle grazing farm. Jessica is now back working in engineering design and enjoying the flexibility of her role thanks to GHD’s Career Relaunch Program, read on for Jessica’s story.
After working across Queensland for more than eight years, Jessica took a 14 year career break to raise her four children on their cattle grazing farm. Jessica is now back working in engineering design and enjoying the flexibility of her role thanks to GHD’s Career Relaunch Program, read on for Jessica’s story.
A major passion for design
Jessica’s passion has always been in design and engineering. She started her career as a Cadet Civil Design Technician studying an Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering at Kinhill Engineering in Brisbane, Australia. When she completed her studies, Jessica stayed with Kinhill and worked on large projects before taking a position with Pine Rivers Shire Council as a Design Technician, ultimately receiving a promotion to Senior Design Technician in 2004. In her role, she worked on major projects including the M1 upgrade, Brisbane Light Rail Planning Study and upgrading roads and intersections around council’s municipal area for the implementation of the future Western Bypass.
Calling Mackay ‘home’
In 2006, Jessica took maternity leave to have her first child, and then Jessica and her husband moved to Mackay, North Queensland to be closer to her husband’s workplace. They enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle in Mackay, so together they decided to extend their stay to more than a decade during which their family grew to four children – now aged 13, 12, nine and seven. In early 2018, the family moved to a small cattle grazing property in the North Burnett Region and immediately fell in love with the rural life. Commenting on her 14 year career break, Jessica says, “My break was inspired by my desire to be directly involved in my children’s formative years. While it was a career break it definitely wasn’t break, I’m proud of the time I got to spend raising my children and of their growth and achievements so far.”
Returning to corporate life
In 2019 Jessica was ready to return to her career in design. The nature of her husband’s work means that he is often away from the family home, so Jessica wanted a flexible role that allowed her to be available for her children. After such a long time away from corporate life, Jessica says, “I feared that I had lost too much knowledge during my break and that I would struggle to find a role related to my design experience.” After looking for two months, Jessica applied for GHD’s Career Relaunch Program and successfully secured a role in the Bundaberg office.
Now back in the workforce, Jessica says, “There have certainly been some changes in the corporate environment. The use of paper has decreased significantly, there is more emphasis on efficiency and computer programs have become much more functional. GHD’s Career Relaunch Program was the perfect stepping stone for me to build my confidence, knowledge base and get used to the working life again. I’m especially grateful to my GHD colleagues who continue to support my development.”
The best of both worlds
Jessica now works full-time as a Design Technician with GHD and says “My team and manager have been understanding and flexible when I need reduced hours and time off to accommodate my family’s needs while my husband is away for work.”
And with this continued focus on flexibility, as a family, Jessica says they still get to do all the things they love about their rural life, like caravanning to explore new places, riding motorbikes, fishing, swimming and kayaking. They also enjoy looking after their small herd of cattle who have become part of the family.
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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Rural life - careers, children and cattle
After working across Queensland for more than eight years, Jessica took a 14 year career break to raise her four children on their cattle grazing farm.
Read more