Work proves satisfying
Justine Nicholls, a Benalla local who went to school at FCJ College and Galen College is an occupational therapist and former paramedic.
Having worked as an occupational therapist in rehabilitation facilities, community rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation, she currently runs her own business.
‘‘I do work with clients who have attained spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, rehabilitation following traumatic motor vehicle accidents,’’ Ms Nicholls said.
‘‘It’s just trying to empower people to be as independent as possible and increasing their quality of life.’’
According to Ms Nicholls, helping people regain this independence is by far the most satisfying part of the job.
‘‘It’s really rewarding seeing people when they come out of hospital and relearning how to do the daily activities of living, which they haven’t been able to do because of their injuries,’’ she said.
‘‘The hardest part of work as a paramedic was probably some of the social issues I was faced with around drug and alcohol use, children being neglect- ed, and domestic violence.’’
For her speech at the Zonta International Women’s Day Girls’ Career Breakfast on March 2 in Wangaratta, Ms Nicholls plans to speak to the audience about her journey from high school to her present career.
‘‘I just want to reassure the young adults there that its okay not to know what you want to do in the future,’’ she said.
This year the Breakfast is on Thursday, March 2, at the Gateway at 7.30 am. Applications close on February 22 and are available from career teachers and year level coordinators in schools.
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