Persisting Through all the Challenges

Shaniah Foggin, proud Kamilaroi woman, is completing her AFL SportsReady traineeship at the Department of the Premier & Cabinet in Brisbane. Her story has been inspiring, with her manager lauding her for fitting seamlessly into the team and excelling in her role.

Reflecting on her experience, Shaniah admits that starting a full-time position at such a young age was nerve-racking.

I am so proud of myself for persisting through all the challenges

I have faced and for getting offered a full-time role post-traineeship.

In her role, Shaniah manages Rachel’s diary, calendar and emails, ensuring they are well-organised and filtered. She also handles travel arrangements, booking accommodation and transport. Especially since her team frequently supports Norfolk Island. Additionally, she assists with HR forms for onboarding and exits, books meeting rooms, prepares agendas and takes minutes at meetings.

One of the highlights of her traineeship has been the opportunity to travel to Norfolk Island for work. Before joining AFL SportsReady’s Warumilang Program, Shaniah completed a traineeship in childcare. During high school, dabbled in event planning, aged care and reception work. However, she never really felt passionate about these roles, which took a toll on her mental health.

I ended up impulsively quitting my childcare job without a backup plan.

Unsure of her career path, Shaniah entered her current traineeship with an open mind. Now, she confidently states,

I definitely want to stay in government and work my way up into a manager or business manager role. Administration work is something I love and I feel passionate and confident in my ability to improve and advance.

Shaniah vividly remembers her induction, meeting her First Nations mentor, John Hollows, for the first time.

I fell in love with the place from day one.

The work we do, the environment and the respect and kindness everyone shows each other – I’ve never experienced anything like it.

Her supervisor, Rachel, has been a rock for Shaniah. During the initial weeks, she often broke down in tears due to frustration with the tasks.

However, with her team’s unwavering support, she persisted and eventually got the hang of it. Shaniah is set to begin her AO3 role as Rachel’s and the team’s administrator once she completes her traineeship at the end of September.

Balancing her Certificate III coursework with work has been manageable and Shaniah has been able to stay on top of her assignments. The most surprising aspect of her traineeship has been the impressive workplace culture and the building itself, which can be seen from miles away.

Rachel has been an exceptional boss and Shaniah aspires to mentor young First Nations people in the future,

just as she has been mentored by her team and AFL SportsReady mentor, John.

I want to be the person to show them the ropes and be part of their support network.

Shaniah is immensely proud of her work and the impact her traineeship has had on her life, both professionally and personally. Despite facing mental health challenges and health issues at the beginning of the year, the support from her team and John helped her overcome them.

John even picked me up and drove me to my doctor’s appointments to ensure I was going!

Unashamed to talk about the challenges she has faced, Shaniah views them as part of her journey.

I still have tough days, but I look at it as ‘I am getting there,’ and it is just my journey.

Shaniah Foggin’s story is a great example of perseverance, support and finding one’s passion. Her achievements and growth are a source of pride for herself, her community and everyone who has supported her along the way.