2013 USQ Young Alumnus of the Year 2013: Tanya Stevenson

2013 Young Alumnus of the Year: Tanya Stevenson

1. What did you dream of doing as a career when you were a child?
I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, there were so many choices. I wanted to play soccer for Australia.

2. What subjects did you study in high school? Were you academically driven, sporting, arts etc? Information Processing and Technology, Biology, Maths B, English, Physical Education.
I was sports driven, receiving the Gold Medal Award from Urangan State High School for being selected in the Under 18 Australian Futsal Team. I also played Rugby Union and Outdoor Soccer which I was selected as Rookie of the year at 15 as only started playing soccer at 14 years old. I remember in year 12 I was in the library and there was a brochure about USQ and the Psychology degree so I applied for this straight out of school.

3. What was your first degree/course? Did you stick to this career path or interest? Why or why not?
I had a rough start to university straight out of high school in first semester so I started a Cert II as Pharmacy Assistant (as a trainee full time) . I then completed my Cert III as a Dispensary Technician while going back to complete my Bachelor of Science (Psychology). There were a few different motivators to keep me studying psychology, mostly I had worked with disengaged youth at Glendyne Education and Training Centre as a mentor and wanted to learn how I could do this better. Eight years later we won the Schools First Award for the programs we had developed and were running together through my position as a Youth Support Coordinator. I then went on to complete my Masters in Education (guidance and counselling). I am currently studying an Advanced Diploma in Community Management.

4. Why did you choose to study at USQ?
It was our local university and I had moved away for 6 months to study at Griffith in Brisbane but I didn’t like being away from my family and Fiancé. I also liked the small campus and not getting parking tickets.

5. What was the next step for you after graduation? Did you have a plan or fall into something?
I was employed as a Youth Counsellor in my third year at university and stayed with this position for the next six years before moving up to management positions in the organisation (Lifeline which is now UnitingCare Community). I didn’t strive to be a manager mostly I just fell into the positions as they became vacant. When I was appointed as the Client Service Manager I negotiated with my then boss to remain as a youth counsellor for two days a week as long as I got all the work he needed done in three days. When he resigned I Acted as the Area Manager for 6 months before I got the job officially, which was a really hard decision for me as I love being on the ground, working with clients, especially the young people.

6. What do you consider is the key to success?
Keep learning and trying new things. From reading books to attending trainings but I love to listen to people, anyone and everyone, about their experiences and learn from them. Just keep doing something. Also, I believe in caring for each other. We get so wrapped up with the busyness of our own lives and expectations that we forget to enjoy the simple things in life.

7. Why do you think you were nominated for an Alumnus of the Year Award?
I am very humbled for the nomination. The staff and community call me “the girl who gets things done”. I like to collaborate with everyone involved and then consider all options before making a decision but once I have a goal, I do it and try to do it well. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing the hard work as I think this is important as a leader or manager to show that there is no job less important than another. I learnt this at high school when I worked at McDonalds. It was always a debate on who would squash the bins as it was seen as the bottom position, one day the head manager went out and squashed them and it was never an issue again. I try to ensure that anything I ask the staff to do I would be happy to do it myself. I also enjoy being innovative in an area that is historically an older generations job. I have to remember to go slower sometimes and ensure I put in place change management strategies as I like to work at a fast pace and I work better under pressure. Lastly, my job is not just a job, it is my passion, and I genuinely care about the disadvantaged and listening to them to help them look at options. Over the years I have had clients come back to say how well they are doing and the most important thing I did for them was believe in them. Its amazing what you can achieve if you have someone who believes in you.

8. Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
I don’t really have an idol or one person of influence. I admire people like Nelson Mandela who never gave up. My biggest influence were my parents, they brought me up to do what makes me happy. My dad helped to establish Glendyne and he had only completed grade 10 but he saw what I was doing at university and enrolled in TAFE. He went on to complete university and we completed our Master’s together. My mum also went back to study to become a nurse. I believe that you should never give up because it is never too late. My other influences are my clients, I see what some of the young people go through and they still keep trying and come through the most terrible situations. Their stories inspire me everyday.

9. What advice do you have for others in your Faculty about how to attain success in your chosen work field and at such a young age?
Respect those with life experience but don’t dismiss yours. It is hard, especially in the field of counselling, as it is historically a job you move into at the end of your life. Ensure you have a balance in your life and look after yourself. The first two years are the hardest as you come out of university thinking that you will magically be able to see change in people after you have counselled them. This is not so, and in youth, they have so little control over things in their family, without a role model there really is little chance of coming to school to learn when they have slept in the park the night before. Most importantly, do what you love and be passionate about it.

10. Do you think that you have found your ideal job and what you were born to do or is there still some searching to do?
Yes, I think I have found my calling. There are so many areas to work in and so much to learn. I was always a people watcher as a child and in my teenage years I was the “voice of reason” to my friends. Even though my position is now dealing with many programs, and a lot of paper work, I enjoy writing tenders and developing new programs. Although, I still base my office at the youth centre so I can sneak out and do some practical programs with the young people.

11. What are your plans for the future career wise and personally?
Honestly, I have not considered much about my future career as I have been married for 10 years now so my husband and I would like to start a family soon so I am not sure what that will mean for me in my position but my boss and organisation are very supportive and I have always just taken opportunities as they come. If something doesn’t work out I always try to have a plan B, or C and D if necessary. I would like to remain in the field of working with young people.