Where are they now – Eden

Eden Paull completed her traineeship with 1300apprentice whilst working for the Department of Industry in 2014. Eden has continued to climb the corporate ladder within the Department of Industry and is proud to share her journey, hoping to inspire others to consider a traineeship as a pathway to a great career.

1300apprentice asked Eden a few questions; here is what she said…

1.    Why did you choose to do a Traineeship in Business Administration?
In 2013, at 17 years of age the year following the completion of my HSC I had a number of goals that I wanted to achieve in the next five years. My goals were:

• Find a full time job that I loved
• Purchase a property
• Travel overseas
• Gain a qualification
• Build the foundations to start a successful career

I made a conscious decision that I still wanted to study but also wanted to work and it had to be for a company that had career progression opportunities. I started researching on the internet, asking friends and family and eventually found the answer – A Traineeship. One of my favourite subjects at school was business so I knew I wanted to work in an office. By understanding what my main goals were I was able to determine what job I wanted.

2.    Where did you work prior to starting your traineeship?
Whilst at school, I decided to get a part time job to pay for weekend activities, clothes, and save for a car to have once I got my license. I had three jobs before I started my traineeship:

• My first job was at Michelle’s Patisserie. I started when I was 14 and worked every Sunday and in the holidays.
• My second job I wanted experience in another work environment and worked in an optometrist on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
• The third job was at the city diggers in Wollongong which I started straight after the completion of the HSC and continued working there when I started my traineeship.

3.    How did your traineeship enhance your career path?
The traineeship I started allowed me to start in an entry level position. I learned the basics of the business I was working for: filing, data entry, processing of forms and the running’s of an office. I studied my business administration certificate III, the study component of the traineeship, and I was able to apply what I was learning from my studies to the work I was completing in the office. My traineeship gave me a level of credibility and allowed me to provide input into staff meetings on improvements that could be made, and gave me confidence to participate in group discussions with my colleagues.

After the completion of my traineeship, I applied for a permanent position within my organisation and was able to provide examples of work that I had completed that provided a positive contribution to the work place. What I learned within my traineeship both on the job and with my studies meant that I was able to take the next step on the ladder and I was successful in gaining a permanent job. I had now successfully achieved three goals from my five year plan in one year.

4.    What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Business?
You must be passionate about the career you are trying to establish, if you don’t love what you do it will be that much harder to wake up every morning and go to work.
By sure on why you are choosing Business. Do you like the office environment, do you like decision making and working within a team.

Set clear goals when choosing a company you want to work for. Is their career progression, good work life balance, a good team environment?

Business encompasses almost every job, so having the foundations for how a business works, what processes are involved from an entry level position to the CEO will allow you to branch into almost any industry. Choosing a career in business will provide you with foundational skills that can be applied to almost any job.

5.    What roles have you undertaken within the Department of Industry?
Customer Service Officer
Providing administrative support for the office including, data entry, filing, answering emails and calls, and processing forms.

Project Officer – Events
Organising the annual 2016 NSW Training Awards including, providing support for the 11 regional awards nights, organising interview panels, providing marketing support and setting up the venue on the night.

Project Officer – Industry Projects
Working within the Industry Projects team my role includes, working on industry skills projects including, engaging with key stakeholders, supporting the management of contracts, maintaining reports and conducting research projects.

6.    What do you enjoy about working with the Department of Industry?
I enjoy the diversity of the work that I do in my current role and the diversity of work within the whole of the department. Supporting and promoting the importance of the Vocational education and Training (VET) system within NSW and showcasing that VET is such an integral part of the NSW economy is something that I am very passionate about. I love my job.

7.    What were your best moments as a trainee?
My top three moments would be:

• Winning the Trainee of the year for the Illawarra and South East NSW Training Awards and for 1300 apprentice.
• Being involved in presentations for local schools and Mission Australia
• Being the main point of contact within the office for a departmental program

8.    What are your future plans and aspirations?
Whilst I have many future plans and aspirations, the main ones are:

• Continue to progress within the department to management level
• Own my own business
• Travel overseas to Europe and England
• Complete a Bachelor of Commerce at University
• Get married to my fiancé

9.    Do you have anything else you want to add?
In May 2019, it will be 5 years since I started my traineeship and I will have achieved all of my five goals with the aim of purchasing a house at the end of the year.
My traineeship was the catalyst that started my career, thank you to 1300apprentice for starting me on this journey.