Zoology is a far cry from the rumbling past of heavy vehicles in Euroa while mountains are being moved to ensure the Inland Rail project keeps chugging along.
If the career-learning journey of Kirsten Lingard is any example, life is full of variety with many branches that all seem to connect.
Kirsten has been the stakeholder engagement lead with Inland Rail in Euroa for four years, working across all their sites south of Benalla, and not with animals, despite starting out with a degree in zoology.
Kirsten has followed a path she confesses is a ‘little different’ from what she expected.
“It sure is an interesting one but it all connects,” she said.
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While studying at the University of Melbourne for her degree, she visited a careers’ sessions and was given a key piece of advice.
“Go and get work experience in your chosen field – either volunteer or paid.
“So, I looked for paid work and ended up with two jobs while I was still studying.”
Before having decided on her degree’s major, Kirsten had found two science jobs – one with an ag’ science company, and the other with Melbourne Water.
Similar to students balancing their work life with vocational training options, Kirsten found her two jobs began steering her study decisions.
“I was working with a company registering new chemicals in agricultural field studies, identifying caterpillars and such, so then I picked a few ag’ science subjects at uni’ as well.”
The position with Melbourne Water saw her conducting school tours at the western treatment sewage plant.
“Basically, it was talking about how science works,” she said.
This role saw her undertake a Graduate Diploma in Education which led her not to the classroom but to managing river health education programs.
“I worked on a community-based frog monitoring program, in communications, and had six months in their media team.”
Despite having no formal qualifications on communication or engagement, she has found herself in a crucial role for Inland Rail by following her own rule.
“My biggest lesson is to tell yourself ‘Just do something’, and from that something, you will see it always leads to something else.
“Follow what you’re enjoying and are passionate about at the time, and try different things.”
Kirsten has never fully abandoned her interest in animals and can be seen joining small community and nature projects, such as platypus and deer surveys.
“I have never really given it away, while also enjoying what I do for my career in communications and engagement.
“Taking tours through Melbourne Water made me realise I enjoyed educating people.
“Being able to explain how technical things work to primary students and to uni groups, showed me I liked communicating.
“And having the science base is a good grounding to understand some of the technical components of the Inland Rail project to then be able to take out and explain to the community.”
