I was lucky enough to attend a top Melbourne private school, had access to tutors and achieved a high ENTER score. When I considered what career I wanted, the only things that seemed to be thrown in front of me were law, business or medicine.

I chose the law path, because at 17, who really has any idea what they want to spend the next 35 years doing? I enjoyed studying law and although was apprehensive about beginning a career in law, I decided to put my all into the interviews and was successful in obtaining a graduate job at a commercial law firm in the CBD.

Pretty quickly, it dawned on me that after 6 years of studying, writing over 30 exams, essays and the rest, I had landed myself in a role that did not align with my values, did not feed my soul, and just did not feel ‘right’. I stuck the year out and then took a leap out of the commercial law space in search of something…more. I decided to give myself a break, a hiatus, a period of time to explore what I wanted to do with my life.

Never in my wildest dreams (excuse the pun) did I think that I would stumble across such a unique and incredible organisation. People ask me how my job is going, and for a moment, I have to remember that what I get to do everyday is a job.

So, what has being part of Little Dreamers taught me?

Firstly, it is not easy growing up with a parent or sibling with a disability, illness or mental health issues. I did not grow up with a caring role but have been mind blown with the responsibilities that some of the kids we work with take on, how they are accepting of their situation and how selfless they are.

Secondly, I’ve learnt not to take my health or the health of those around me for granted and to be grateful for all those that are close to me.

Thirdly, finding a fulfilling career doesn’t happen overnight but as someone wise once said “nobody is interested in everything and everyone is interested in something”. Don’t give up finding something that feeds your soul, because it’s worth the wait.

Fourthly, if directly impacting and improving the lives of others is your passion, go out and find a way to do it. No matter how many dollars you make in another career, you won’t be happy until you are doing something that you are passionate about.

Finally, the people you work with means everything – I’ve laughed more in the past 12 months than I ever thought was possible in a lifetime at a “workplace”.

Bring on the next 10 years!