International Women’s Day | 8th March 2022
This International Women’s day, we’re shining a spotlight on all the women that make Education Perfect tick. It’s a spotlight that isn’t just being turned on for one day – it’s been on since we can remember, and we’re never turning it off.
In 2020 we introduced an initiative called Mana Wāhine (Women of Strength) to empower and support the network of women within EP. The group provides a space for sharing experiences, ideas and resources. We come together for monthly kōrero to share and discuss specific topics, and hear from experienced Wāhine. We aim to elevate and celebrate the success of individuals, and foster a community of support.
We asked some of our amazing mana wāhine to share with us their thoughts on the following questions:
- If you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?
- What was one of your biggest challenges in your career, and how did you overcome it?
- What are you most proud about in terms of your career to date?
Keep reading to find out what they said!
If you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Sarah Kippen | Teacher Consultant
It’s ok to make mistakes. You’ll regret the things you didn’t try more than the things you tried and screwed up.
Maxine Sannum | Customer Support Assistant
I would tell myself to not be so hard on myself and not put so much pressure on myself. As I have gotten older I realised you don’t need to have a set timeline for your life, things will come to you as you work on them and to enjoy the ride.
Kirsty Mills | Teacher Consultant
Physical and mental health are linked. Never underestimate how your physical health and fitness will only boost you mentally. Taking time to improve your fitness, also improves you academically, socially and has ongoing impacts for career, networks, etc.
Nadja Jury | Analytics Engineer
If I could give my past self one piece of advice, it’d definitely be trust yourself more! Listen to your gut, and have confidence in your own abilities – everyone has a right to a seat at the table, even you!
Rhea Biju | Finance & Payroll Accountant
Believe in yourself and stay strong! Life is going throw you some curveballs, but trust in your abilities and you’ll hit it out of the park!
Cara Sheehan | International Marketing Specialist
It’s a piece of advice my dad has always given to my siblings and I growing up, and I wished I’d taken it onboard sooner. “Your greatest encouragement will always come from those who have been further out to sea than you, and your strongest criticism will come from people who have never left the shore.”
Hannah West | Senior Account Executive
Trust that when people give you a promotion, they’re telling you that they believe you can successfully do that job otherwise they wouldn’t be offering you that role. Ignore what the voices in your head are telling you about being under-qualified and be willing to learn and have a great attitude.
What was one of your biggest challenges in your career, and how did you overcome it?
Nancy Lefebvre | Teacher Consultant
One of the biggest challenges I still face to this day is dealing with Imposter Syndrome. I sometimes feel like the work I do isn’t good enough, that I should be doing more, or that I am simply not worthy of the opportunities that have been given to me throughout my career. I use various strategies to overcome this including focusing on how far I have come, celebrating victories, being kinder to myself, and talking it through with the people around me.
What are you most proud about in terms of your career to date?
Olivia Young | Professional Dev. & Online Competitions Manager
I’m most proud of always thoroughly enjoying the roles that I have had over the years. From being Head of Languages at a high school in Melbourne to now working as Events Manager at Education Perfect. These roles have had many challenges but I have always found wonderful things to enjoy. Going to work has never been a chore and I’m really proud of the spaces I have found myself in.
Emma McAllister | Chief Operating Officer
When I look around the company and see all of the EPeeps who started in Customer Support, often their first job, who have developed a career and progressed into leadership roles and other specialist roles across the company. I love mentoring others and focus on internal promotions and establishing career pathways for our EPeeps as much as I can!
Hannah Tarbotton | Inbound Manager
Starting in a Customer Support Assistant role at EP, and after 6 months I became the Team Manager. I was lucky enough to have some incredible females in management positions to look up to as well as given opportunities to further develop my skills along the way. I’m excited to continue to improve and grow my career at EP!
Nikita Palmer | Business Operations Manager
Over the last five years I have been lucky to work with a number of people who are new into the company and ready to hit the ground running in their career. These EPeeps are the most hard working and dedicated team members and are always willing to go above and beyond in their work. I’m most proud when I get to see them flourishing in their roles and their hard work is paid off.
A big thank you to everyone for sharing! We hope those of you reading are able to draw some inspiration from this – we know we certainly have.
