Mikayla turns her passion into a career that makes a difference 

Very few careers are as satisfying as those that make an essential difference in someone’s life. Helping others was close to Mikayla’s heart, and as a devoted mum with a young daughter, she was eager to turn her passion into a career but needed a helping hand. 

When Mikayla connected with our team in Innisfail through the ParentsNext program in 2021, her primary goal was to study and boost her employability skills and work towards finding sustainable and rewarding employment.  

Easier said than done, Mikayla needed direction and guidance to understand what options were available and, most importantly – how to get started on the right path.  

She teamed up with Bamara’s Senior Support Mentor, Melissa, who would provide support and resources to help build Mikayla’s confidence and skills and create a pathway plan tailored to achieving her goals.

Our team prides itself on understanding the uniqueness of the local community. Melissa’s vital local knowledge and community connections would be pivotal in guiding Mikayla to find the confidence and motivation to balance her parenting responsibilities and studying towards employment. 

Melissa took the initiative by reaching out and connecting to local training providers to explore what options were available to Mikayla, who preferred a flexible learning environment so she could study from home. 

Mikayla was now building momentum and took the critical step of enrolling in Certificate III in Individual Support, a perfect opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge to kickstart a rewarding career in aged and disability care. Through the ParentsNext Participation Fund, Bamara provided her with a laptop, so she had the peace of mind to complete her training online. 

To enhance her job search efforts, Melissa assisted Mikaylah in fine-tuning her resume and helped provide valuable insights into the expectations of local employers, interview preparation techniques, and the kinds of available local job opportunities on offer. 

Shortly after commencing studies towards the qualification, Mikayla secured employment at a local home care facility. Her passion for helping others has filled her with confidence and a positive outlook for a brighter future for her family. She has been working for over six months, making the most of the skills and knowledge offered through her studies, and is thriving in a career close to her heart. 

“Mikayla has worked very hard to achieve her goals and has done well to get to where she is today,” says Melissa. 

“I couldn’t be prouder for her, and it’s a privilege to have helped her on her journey to success.” 

Mikayla appreciates everything that Melissa and Bamara were able to help her with through Bamara’s ParentsNext program.  

“Thank you to Bamara for their assistance and guidance,” says Mikayla. 

Connect with our ParentsNext team

Our ParentsNext service helps you identify your goals – whether they’re family-focused or career-driven – and provides you with or helps you access the resources you need to work towards, and ultimately achieve, those goals.

We listen to what matters most to you and your family. Our dedicated team of experienced Support mentors will provide individualised support to help you achieve your goals.

Contact us today to get started.