Saying “no” isn’t an option for Joshua. While juggling family life with work, Joshua has also taken on a Double Diploma to further his management career.
How did you get into your role?
My career really started to take off in 2014. I promised myself that I would never say no to an opportunity, no matter how much it scared me. I figured the more I was nervous about giving it a go, the more I needed to push myself to do it. I have been very lucky to land some very interesting jobs in Disaster Management, Training, Project Management and of course my most recent roles have been Management positions. My advice to anyone looking to progress in their careers, never say no to an opportunity to grow.
How are you connected to the College for Adult Learning?
I am currently studying the Double Diploma of HR and Leadership & Management. My role is very demanding at work and as I have two young boys under 3, juggling study and always will be a challenge.
What ideal job position are you qualifying yourself for?
For me, it really is an opportunity to certify the experience I have gained through my working career. As an Executive Manager (without a University Degree), I have already defied all logic in some people's minds.
How have your studies helped you progress in your career?
Gaining the Diploma will help my next steps into Bachelor level studies once my boys are a little bit older. I have a keen interest in studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science. Human behaviour has always interested me.
What does a successful day in your work life look like?
An energetic and fun workplace. I am really big on People and Culture. I always look at ways to invigorate the workplace. I have always said, people don't leave jobs, they leave leaders. I spend a lot of time caring for my team whom I expect will do the same for theirs and so on. I find the overall return on investment in my people shows by the way they perform and the dedication to the people to the left and right of them. A successful day for me is knowing I am doing everything I can to ensure my people are my priority.
What is the best piece of advice you have received in your career?
It might sound weird, but the best advice I ever got was from a mentor I look up to very much, who helped me earlier in my career. "Play the game," he would always say to me. It wasn't until years later I actually started to reflect on what that meant. Some companies and cultures can be political minefields, you have to know when to speak and when not to, when to act and when not to. I really struggled in the workplace when I saw something that ethically or morally didn't sit right with me, so I was always quick to jump and express my outrage. I learnt over time to "play the game". Be tactful, be elegant and learn how to navigate the workplace with finesse.
What is some advice you would give to someone wanting to get into your industry?
The not-for-profit industry always looks for people who genuinely care for others. Empathy, compassion, and a real sense of duty and service to the betterment of others. My advice is to pick an agency or service you are passionate about and go for it. I worked for a crisis support and suicide prevention NFP organisation as the State Manager for Community Recovery in Queensland. It was one of the most rewarding times of my career. I could have easily stayed in that role for a very long time. However, as I said earlier, I never say no to an opportunity to grow.
