St Kilda FC Trainee Finds Passion in Sport
AFL SportsReady trainee Jack Walker is completing his second traineeship working at the St Kilda Football Club and studying a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation. He has always been passionate about sports and thought teaching was the career pathway for him, until now.
Jack reflects on the whirlwind of two years, from beginning the first traineeship to landing his dream job and kickstarting his career.
“I had planned to go to University, but I just didn’t know what I wanted to study. I decided to do a traineeship straight out of high school. I was placed at Flinders Community College in the physical education department as a sport teacher, which helped me figure out that it was not the career for me, Jack explained.”
Traineeships are a great way to help young people decide which pathway is the right fit for them. Also, the hands-on learning approach can be very beneficial.
“Instead of going to University and still not knowing what to do I decided to take on another traineeship opportunity at the Saints and now I am working in my dream job, he added.”
“I was definitely very nervous and shy when I first started – but with every week I grew more confident… There is this beautiful community environment, encouraging and have inspired me to keep doing better.”
“I get to work with such a great group of people and the environment is somewhere I would like to stay for the next few years, said Jack.”
Jack found starting his traineeship to be nerve-wracking the second time around. But knows he has made the right decision this time and that the encouraging, environment at St Kilda is the right fit for him.
Jack highlights the incredible feeling of being able to fully immerse yourself within the culture of the club and feel like a valuable member of the team.
“There are so many opportunities everywhere that may take you down your desired career path, but they might also set you in a direction you don’t know yet…. This traineeship has not just provided me with a career path, but it has also furthered my personal life – including making it possible for me to move out of home”
According to Jack, the decision to take on two traineeships has been the best decision he has made. These traineeships have allowed him to get a foot in the door of a competitive industry. Beginning a career he never thought was possible, has also enabled him to excel both professionally and in his personal life.
Sometimes traineeships can help you decide what you don’t want to do. Jack could have gone to University to study for a four-year teaching degree. But that would have accumulated a massive HECS debt only to find out this wasn’t the career path for him.
Jack would highly recommend a young person consider taking on a traineeship because,
“…you can get qualified, get paid and get your foot in the door at workplaces such as an elite football club or even a school.”
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DATE: 10th November 2022 | AUTHOR: Eliza Peterson | Edited 28 Feb, 2023
This series includes current and former trainees demonstrating the benefits of the traineeship program and how this pathway allows them to follow their passions.
This article is part of our partnership with the National Careers Institute (NCI) to highlight the real benefits of Vocational Education and Training (VET)
