Stories from the WISE Community: Natalia
Hi, my name is Natalia. I identify as a first-generation Australian, born into a Hungarian family that established themselves in Melbourne and was therefore exposed to a range of cultures. Within my own household, Hungarian was spoken, and it wasn’t until grade one that I learnt to speak English. Transitioning into a new society provided many challenges, including the divorce of my parents. This divide however only led to the extension of a family formed through friendships, where other families influenced my upbringing and ultimately the person I am today.
Coming from a differing culture to that of many Australians, I found comfort in seeking out other practises and learning skills from other countries. One of my most loved hobbies is African drumming, which started 12 years ago after I heard the music at a festival and instantly signed up for classes. I later moved on to performing in opening acts around Melbourne with new friends I had made along the way. I’m quite shy, and playing the drums forces me to put myself in the centre of attention in front of crowds while promoting a culture I have come to love.
While I have spent much of my time devoting hours to hobbies such as music and art, I worked professionally as an executive assistant (EA) for most of my life. However, I stopped working when I had my firstborn and left the workforce for nearly 17 years, a relatable story for many women in Australia today. I did attempt to hold onto my career for a while when my kids were two and four, but I struggled on part time hours, as being an EA is hard work and requires a lot of overtime.
I decided to start studying during this time and extend my abilities while I watched my children grow and learn new things. I was Initially interested in becoming a teacher’s aide but ended up discovering psychology! So I made the decision to switch courses and later graduated with a bachelor’s in counselling.
With mental health challenges becoming especially prevalent after the COVID-19 pandemic, I was surprised to find out how difficult securing a job as a counsellor was, as most organisations want candidates with experience. My children were older now and as I began my search for a job, WISE Employment was my employment provider and assisted me. They sent me to an event called ‘the game changer’, where I met people from a wide range of organisations, including representation from State and Federal Government. This event changed my life, as it got me the job I am in today.
I’ve now worked at WISE as an Employment Partner since August 2022 – I love it! After being out of work for so long, it was scary going into something new. Even though I had a lot of professional experience, I still needed to figure out how employment would work with my life and my kids but being a part of a team and helping others find their career is super rewarding.
The biggest barrier to my employment however, after 17 years, was my age. Ageism is everywhere, and I did not expect it. It is reported that 1 in 5 (20%) older Australians (aged 65 and over) experienced age discrimination on at least one occasion in the workplace in the last 2 years. This is an issue I hope to address throughout my time at WISE.
When working with my customers, I have the ability to find many points of relation, especially the struggle of long-term unemployment. I understand the stigma people face, the loss of confidence and financial struggles that are all related to unemployment. Having an income is truly life changing and I want to help my customers understand this. The benefits will outweigh all of your worries, and the financial stress of doing simple tasks, such as going out to eat, will dissolve away and you will just be left with the enjoyment.
My advice is to take a chance, as many situations provide you with the opportunity to gain or stay in your current state. This ultimatum can be scary, but improvement happens as a result of change, and you are the driving force. I hope sharing my story inspires others who may have faced similar challenges and shows how ones past does not define you.
The team and I at WISE are here to support you every step of the way, helping you to find your perfect job and build your perfect life.
All photos supplied by Natalia.