Proud Premium Health training manager Melissa Beckett, right, with LINK Employment and Training Young Apprentice/Trainee of the Year nominee Lee Smith.
By Shaun Inguanzo
LEE Smith admits she is her own worst critic.
At the age of 26, Ms Smith has worked a variety of jobs before settling into a potential career at first aid training company Premium Health.
But Ms Smith says her career has only just begun, and thanks to a shove in the right direction from helpful hands at LINK Employment and Training, she now has aspirations to complete a business degree and become a leader in her field.
Ms Smith said she began at the front desk in an administration role – a task she had performed with other employers, and was growing tired of.
“I finished VCE then got into uni but dropped out because I felt I wasn’t ready,” she said.
“I then did temping, working in admin for various jobs, before coming here.”
Ms Smith started her administration traineeship with LINK Employment and Training in August 2005 and is this week graduating with a Certificate III in Business Administration.
She now has greater responsibility at Premium Health, often working as the backbone of the company’s first aid training department.
“Since this year I’ve changed roles so that now I am more involved in corporate bookings with on-site training, and assisting the trainers and managers,” she said.
The Mentone resident could have thrown in the towel and settled for much less, but a positive attitude has not only led her to job satisfaction but on the path to becoming a successful businesswoman.
Ms Smith said persistence was an asset, particularly for young people looking for a break in their chosen industry.
“You have to keep trying, especially when you’re young and without much experience,” she said.
“It’s really all about knowing what your strengths are so you can sell yourself and get a break and then keep going forward.”
Ms Smith said she was “shocked, surprised and overwhelmed” by her nomination for LINK Employment and Training’s Young Apprentice/Trainee of the year.
“It’s a surprise – I didn’t actually think about awards while I was doing my course.”
