The 15-year-old has been taking part in The Smith Family’s online mentoring program iTrack which matches students from low socio-economic areas with mentors to develop their career aspirations and goals.
Nicole credited her relationship with her mentor Sharon Campbell for broadening her mind on what she could achieve.
‘Sharon has given me the confidence to pursue the career I am striving for,’ she said.
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READ NOW‘She has given me lots of guidance to chase my dreams, as well as helping me understand the steps I need to take to get to my goal.’
Ms Campbell said she had built a rapport with Nicole and helped her feel relaxed about talking to another adult with no judgment.
‘As I am someone Nicole doesn’t know, I can give her objective advice with no emotional ties,’ she said.
‘We have discussed her school grades and ways to improve them to help her get into her chosen profession.’
The Smith Family WA general manager Greg Ryan-Gadsden said one challenge often faced by students in low socio-economic areas was that they may not have access to professional networks or advice, or have family members that have worked in a corporate environment.
He said iTrack gave students, particularly those from rural locations, the chance to chat with someone outside their usual network, and really work through career paths that they may not have considered before.