Get to know the OELLEN Team
What is your name and role at the Outer East LLEN? Sharon Neal – Manager School to Work Program
Can you tell us a bit about your professional background? I started with a Bachelor of Education majoring in Environment Science, with secondary schools closing down we were encouraged to diversify. I worked with Greening Australia and young disengaged people delivering Landcare programs. In the environmental industry I collected eucalyptus seeds in the high plains of Victoria then progressed with my people skills to roles in sales and marketing of environmental protection and nursery industry products. Reflecting on my career I wanted more engagement with people where I could make a difference. I commenced as an employment consultant with the Salvation Army Employment Plus transferred with role to Western Australia and quickly progressed to Learning and Development Consultant for State Office Western Australia utilising my teaching background in this role. Working with young unemployed people highlighted that I could do more for young people while still at school, so I approached the Outer Eastern LLEN.
What inspired you to work in education and community development? I’ve always enjoyed working with people and having a natural affinity with kids and the natural environment my mum said she thought I’d make a good teacher. I like to feel I make a difference in the work I do and working in education and community development provides this.
What do you enjoy most about working at the LLEN? feeling that I can make a difference in my local community connecting young people with work related experiences that help them to determine what they will become in the future
How do you like to spend your time outside of work? with my family and friends, I enjoy walks in the forest gardening reading new books and going to the movies.
What’s a memorable moment or project you’ve worked on with the LLEN so far? See the video for Ed with Yarra Ranges Tech School – to be involved from the initial connection and consequential work placement, seeing this student transform as a consequence always stays with me.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I’ve been provided plenty of advice and I’d say the best is dependent on current circumstances and what we need then and there. Fortunately, I’ve always found the right person or literature to provide me the best advice as I’ve needed it.
Who or what inspires you? My friends and family especially those that have faced difficult life and health challenges. the way they not only gently navigated what seemed at times an overwhelming adversity but amazingly also managed to confront, defeat or overcome it - truly inspirational!
What’s one thing you’d like people to know about the work you do? I couldn’t do what I do without the support and collaboration of my team, our schools, teachers, employers industry and local community. I am very grateful for the positive outcomes we continue to achieve at the LLEN.
