Future Skills Organisation Case Study: Tech trek: How Charlotte engineered her IT pathway
Queenslander Charlotte Ross was 100% convinced that as soon as she left high school, she’d be heading straight to university and wouldn’t look back.
“But that would be far from the truth,” said Charlotte.
“I tried university and a bunch of jobs. But I never really felt as comfortable as I am with vocational education and training. It’s a great pathway, it’s more cost-effective and I love it!
“I decided I wanted to pursue work and study together and I was introduced to the idea of taking an on-the-job traineeship in IT,” she said.
Charlotte joined ONGC Systems, an IT services company that simplifies the way businesses run, using cloud technology.
Google project
Six months after starting as a trainee, Charlotte excelled, demonstrated her leadership skills, and was given responsibility for delivering a large scale Google project for a key customer. Within the first year she also completed a self-paced Certificate IV in Information Technology.
“What enticed me the most about vocational education was the ability to study while working alongside industry pros. I benefited from mentoring and hands-on learning, so the on-the-job traineeship was a great thing,” she said.
Today she is an IT Projects Engineer, specialising in Microsoft and Google. She is passionate about using technology to create innovative solutions that drive positive social impact and address real-world challenges.
Since starting the role, she has completed a range of extra industry training to enhance her technical and leadership skills. Charlotte is now studying for her AZ 104: Microsoft Azure Administrator exam.
Role model
Charlotte has quickly emerged as a role model for young women in tech. Her blend of technical expertise and leadership skills has not gone unnoticed.
She was named 2023 Queensland Trainee of the Year, Trainee of the Year finalist at the Australian Training Awards 2023 and is a nominee for the Graduate award at the Australian Women in ICT Awards, which will be held in September 2024. She has since signed up to become a VET ambassador through the Australian VET Alumni.
In addition to her job, she founded a ‘trainee club’ to keep her peers up to date with new trends and technologies in the sector, particularly in AI.
“In the last year AI has become the ‘in thing’,” she says.
“Working in IT lets me explore all the new ways we can use AI to improve business processes for our customers. I also get the opportunity to explore how AI can improve our ways of doing business.”
Kickstarting a career
For those thinking about the best pathway to kickstart a career in the IT industry, what is Charlotte’s advice?
“VET pathways are incredible. They are a great choice for people who may not feel comfortable going to university or want to go straight into the workforce.
“If you choose a VET pathway, work hard and take advantage of the resources available to you. The amount of mentorship you can get from working with experienced people is invaluable.
“Traineeships kickstart your career and help develop soft skills, such as time management and communication. These are things that can sometimes be lacking in a traditional education setting like university.”
Learn more about studying IT at Your Career here.