I met Ella three years ago when she responded to an advert to provide domestic assistance to our household. At that time, she was a physiotherapy student, and she was deep into her degree.

It soon emerged that Ella was having second thoughts as to whether this was the right career path for her. 

For a young person, she showed enormous maturity in resisting the ‘pressure’ and forging on to finish her degree. Rather, she paused and took time out to reconsider. She has that rare gift of being able to gather people around her to advise, support, and guide her. She took advantage of the support, tools, and counsel available to her to forge a new direction. 

In the process, she weathered the storms of doubt, sense of failure and embarrassment to emerge with a clear sense of her purpose and direction. 

It’s been a joy to observe her re-calibration and see her step into the professional arena with confidence and self-assuredness.

From high expectations to finding my own path

Ella’s Journey

With a high ATAR from a ‘good’ school, the typical routes were laid out: Medicine or Law. But after failing the UMAT and realising I had no love for debating, I thought, “Why not give physiotherapy a try? Maybe I’ll switch to medicine later.”

As the eldest daughter in a long line of eldest daughters, I’d mastered the art of people-pleasing, so I never really stopped to think if this was something I actually wanted. Somehow, I convinced myself it was.

The Tension

Fast forward to 2023, and I found myself at a massive crossroads. I’d spent years chasing a career I was sure I’d love, but the closer I got to the finish line, the less excitement I felt. One year left, and yet the thought of sticking it out filled me with dread. Everyone said it was the “right thing” to do, but deep down, I knew I’d be miserable. The problem was, I had no clue what I’d do instead—or even what I might enjoy.

“What if I never find something I love? What if I never even finish uni?” These questions haunted me. Walking away after all the time, effort, and money spent felt terrifying.

The Turning Point

Thankfully, I had an incredible support system. Friends, family, and especially Graham, with his background in HR and career coaching, were my rocks. He guided me through the fog of uncertainty, introduced me to tools like the Birkman test, and helped me understand my strengths and work style. Suddenly, the path ahead wasn’t quite as murky.

During this period of soul-searching, I found my way into a writing course in Sydney, rekindling my love for words, stories, and creativity, all with the encouragement of the brilliant Bri Lee and fellow attendees. Volunteering also became a big part of my life—I helped out at Writers Week and even met some literary legends prepping for their talks. Plus, I started volunteering with a laundry service that supports people experiencing homelessness—something that grounded me and kept things in perspective.

After lots of reflection, I made the tough call to defer my studies and explore new career options. The real breakthrough came when I started looking for jobs that aligned with my existing skills but offered room for growth. I wanted a challenge, but I also wanted it to mean something.

In rediscovering myself, I found the clues had been there all along. I’d always been a voracious reader, finishing books in a single day. At ten, I wrote and mailed out ‘Grummet Family News’ updates. English was my favourite subject at school—getting excited to write about whatever book we were studying. Editing other people’s work? Loved it! It’s funny how long it took me to see what was right in front of me.

Now, as I prepare to sign my first full-time contract in a communications role, I’m reflecting on this unexpected journey.

The Take-Away

Here are a few key lessons I’ve learned:

1. It Takes a Village Pivoting careers isn’t something you do alone. My support system was invaluable, and I couldn’t have made this change without them.
2. It Gets Tough Before It Gets Better Like in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, you’ve got to “go through it”—the doubt, the uncertainty, the hard stuff—before you come out stronger on the other side.
3. Learning Never Stops Changing careers isn’t a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process of learning and growth. You’re always evolving.
4. Comparison is the Thief of Joy It’s easy to look at others and feel behind, especially as a “mature-aged student” who never really left uni. But I’ve learned that focusing on my own path has brought far more happiness.

Looking back, deferring that final year was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gave me time to discover what truly makes me happy, and I’m excited for what comes next. My dream? Working as a book publisher overseas… fingers crossed!