08 Mar 2024
Over the years, International Women's Day has gained significant momentum and focuses on what we can all do to increase equity for women in the workplace, education and society as a whole.
While it is important to focus on the future, we also wanted to take a moment to reflect on our people's lives and how they have navigated their way through life, faced challenges, taken risks and most importantly, enjoyed themselves.
This International Women’s Day we take a walk down memory lane and sit down with four impressive women at Evoenergy, who reflect on how their experiences have shaped their careers throughout the decades.
Our Customer Service & Asset Protection Support Officer, Denise, grew up in a small country town and began her career immediately after high school. For Denise, there were no conversations about university, a trade, or long-term financial goals.
“I remember growing up not even thinking that I could be a doctor, nurse or get a trade … it just wasn’t a conversation we knew to have. I knew I wanted to be a mother, which is such a blessing but looking back, I’m so glad I pursued a career as well,” Denise said.
“Times have changed though. I made it a priority to have conversations with my kids about their career possibilities and they’ve gone on to pursue opportunities that when I was their age, I didn’t know were available.
Similarly, our works Coordination Team Lead, Sarah, began working for Evoenergy in the late 2000’s when she was 18 and still figuring out her purpose. She knew she had to do something and signed up for a traineeship while she worked it out. Sarah was promoted into a full-time role and now balances her growing career with study and her family life.
“Funnily enough, it was after becoming a mother that I decided to focus seriously on building my career. Being young and not knowing what you want from life is normal and I wish someone had told me that sooner.” Said Sarah.
For Michelle, she was the first person in her family to pursue post school study. After working across several industries, Michelle joined Evoenergy as a Customer Resolutions Officer and quickly progressed into a team leadership role.
Michelle’s advice to young women is that having a strong work ethic and on-the-job experience is just as valuable as a degree. She wishes someone told her earlier that time is our most valuable commodity, and we need to balance the trajectory of your career with time.
“Don’t be afraid to take risks, choose your priorities, be present and work to facilitate the life you want. Far too often, people accept roles or take positions because they feel they must, not because they are passionate about them.”
Our Project Estimator and Scheduler Claudia has worked at Evoenergy for nine years. Joining when she was just 21, like Sarah, she started in the Traineeship Program and received her Certificate III in Business Administration.
When we asked Claudia about how her gender has influenced her career, she said that she never saw herself pursuing a career, having grown up surrounded by traditional gender roles. It was her male colleagues who encouraged her to apply for promotions and try new things.
“I have worked with supportive men who believe that I’m capable of anything and have driven me pursue a career that I want.” Claudia said.
“I don’t think my colleagues realise how much they’ve helped me overcome my own limiting beliefs in determining where I wanted to go.”
We know that International Women’s Day has different meanings for different people.
From our community to yours, we hope you feel supported, appreciated, and valued not only today, but every day.
