Collegians at Work

Read about the exciting and diverse career pathways of six of our Collegians as they share what they have been up to since graduating from Toorak.

ENGINEERING

Congratulations to Chloe Davenport (TC'20) who, while at Toorak, was awarded a cadetship at Downer. "In the summer of 2020/2021 I began my engineering cadetship at Downer in the road infrastructure services of DM Roads. I have loved the beginning of this journey and have already been involved in so many amazing projects. It has been such an incredible experience for me to work with the Project Engineer and all the different managers and supervisors at DM Roads and seeing what it is like to work in a large business. I decided to pursue a career in engineering/ science because I believe it is a vital aspect to solving some of the world's greatest problems. I love learning about the different ways environmental engineering and science can challenge the way we do things and make a positive impact in the world and its environment. I am so excited to start my next rotations with Downer and I can't wait to learn more about different aspects of this company.”

SCIENCE

Maddie Smith (TC'17) was first inspired to enter into the field of science after growing up admiring medical professionals and their ability to change people’s lives. Maddie knew that a degree in Biomedical Science had the ability to open many doors and allow her to choose from a number of different options for her future. 2020 marked Maddie’s final year completing her degree and this year she is completing a research project in radiation therapy at Peter Mac, as part of her honours year. Maddie’s advice for anyone considering joining this industry is “don’t ever think that something you don’t ‘get’ or don’t understand now is standing in the way of you succeeding in a science degree or a career in science.”

COMMUNICATIONS

At the age of just 15, Lena Klein (TC'13) began to understand the power of communication through online channels. Coupled with her love of art and storytelling, Lena set about growing her Instagram, Podcast and Patreon followers, allowing her to share her life experiences and creativity with the world.

After completing a degree in Journalism and Philosophy, followed by a Masters in Digital Marketing Strategy, Lena was accepted into the Business Leadership Program at LinkedIn - a rotational graduate scheme designed to shape people into future leaders and sales professionals. Using the skills learned through this program, Lena has been consulting for companies on their learning strategies, and showing them how LinkedIn Learning can help bridge skills gaps. In speaking about her line of work, Lena notes “on paper, I work in sales, but there’s a lot more to it – I work in the tech field, which is fascinating, fast paced and constantly changing, and I help businesses solve real problems."

Lena is shortly taking up her next role with global customer service software company Zendesk, where she will be helping growing companies improve customer support strategies.

GOVERNMENT

Brooke Barling (TC'12) moved to Canberra to commence work with the Department of Defence through their Graduate Program and has since remained there, working in joint environments alongside members of the ADF, supporting the development of strategic policy, military strategy and capability acquisition. Brooke is passionate about her role and accredits the vast array of opportunities available within her industry for keeping her motivated and engaged. Brooke reflects “It constantly shocks me just how tangible results are - one day I am writing a submission to government explaining why we need a new capability (for example an armoured vehicle) and what it can offer, and a year or so later I am climbing all over it and watching the ADF demonstrate how they use it in a war fighting environment. The industry is incredibly innovative, fast paced, and offers insight into the forefront of scientific, engineering, and technological advancements.”

In such a challenging role, Brooke reflects on her time at Toorak College setting her up for success “my days at Toorak College helped me build resilience in the face of challenges and showed me how to work effectively in a fast paced, competitive environment.” Committed to a long-term career with the Department of Defence, Brooke is currently undertaking a Masters in Special Operations and Irregular Warfare, to help broaden her understanding of military operations and how the ADF can be used as a Whole-of-Government tool.

ARTS

Ruby Awburn (TC'08) has taken her professional journey to Boston where she is now completing a two-year fellowship at the Harvard Art Museums, in the Straus Centre for Conservation and Technical Studies.

Ruby decided she wanted to be a painting conservator as she was entering VCE at Toorak College. She loved both art and science at school with her art teacher, Mrs Emma Cleine, being instrumental in her love for art history, and biology teacher, Mrs Linda Howey, being influential in her love for science.

Post school, Ruby went to the University of Melbourne for a Bachelor of Arts, where she majored in Art History and Anthropology, with a minor in Chemistry. Ruby then went on to complete her Masters in Cultural Materials Conservation, where she specialised in paintings. During this time, Ruby volunteered with the Koorie Heritage Trust and interned at the Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art.

Realising there were not many pathways into museum conservation work in Australia, Ruby set her sights overseas. In 2018, Ruby spent 5 months in New York, interning at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) before heading to Boston for her two-year fellowship at the Harvard Art Museums, in the Straus Centre for Conservation and Technical Studies.

At the Harvard Art Museums, Ruby assists with the maintenance, care and research of the collections’ modern and contemporary paintings. This includes cleaning, removing old, discoloured varnishes, repairing tears in canvas, adhering paint flakes back to the support disguising losses, and researching causes of a painting’s degradation. She works with the Museums’ conservation scientists to identify materials, whether for research or for practical purposes such as treatment. Ruby also teaches students from Harvard and other institutions about technical art history and painting conservation’s role within a museum.

Reflecting on her time at Toorak College, Ruby notes “it taught me to set and accomplish goals. It was an environment where I was encouraged to follow my passions, supported by my friends and teachers. Toorak taught me valuable life lessons about the importance of community, and that women can do anything they set their minds to.”

TECHNOLOGY

So far Arna Karick’s (TC'94) career has been a whirlwind journey of living and working around the globe; first studying and working as an astrophysicist in Australia, the US, and UK; then moving back to Australia to work in a research data and computing strategy role at Swinburne University while also working as a technologist and designer to help nonprofits and social entrepreneurs develop tech for social good. Arna is now in the midst of her third career change, working as a freelance data scientist and designer in Melbourne.

In speaking of her lifelong love of science, Arna reflects “I absolutely love science and technology. The chance to work on cutting edge projects with incredibly talented, clever people is so much fun, and I love the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.” On the world of tech and science being a male dominated industry, Arna says “It never occurred to me that I couldn’t be a scientist. The notion that “girls can’t (or shouldn’t) do physics or science” was completely lost on me. I’m pretty sure I have Toorak College and science and maths classrooms full of girls to thank for that.”

From here, Arna has her sights set on continuing in the tech industry, specifically in using artificial intelligence to create products and services that make everyday life better.

EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN TO THRIVE

Our Pathways & Partnerships program aims to provide students with a range of career insight and inspiration opportunities to help them develop the skills, knowledge and confi dence to make their fi rst career decisions. If you would like to get involved in this program, please contact our Student Futures Specialist, Mrs Bianca New, on biancan@toorakc.vic.edu.au

Opportunities may include:

• Formal or informal mentoring

• Networking

• ‘Try For a Day’ or workplace shadowing

• Short-term work experience

• Part-time or holiday recruitment

• Post-graduation cadetships or internships

• Industry ‘immersion excursions’

• Using your facilities as a venue for events or learning