Josephine finds her path and passion for barista brews

For 32-year-old Josephine, a First Nations woman from Alice Springs, the path from being a stay-at-home mum to a valued team member at McDonald's has been a journey of personal growth and transformation.

After spending over seven years at home, Josephine, who was shy and lives with anxiety, faced significant barriers to re-entering the workforce.

It was her determination to embrace new opportunities and accept support from her local APM Employment Services team that led to a remarkable turnaround.

Josephine sought help from APM in Alice Springs where she explained how she found it difficult to engage with employers and support programs due to her anxiety and long period of social withdrawal.

Recognising the challenges she faced, the APM team focused on building a supportive relationship with her.

Together they took time to understand challenges facing Josephine on her path to a good job and explored the roles which would interest and suit her in long-term employment.

One of the first steps in Josephine’s journey was updating her resume with the help of her APM employment consultant and business development manager.

This process boosted her self-esteem as she began to see the value of her skills and experiences.

Josephine expressed a keen interest in becoming a barista, and with APM’s support, she enrolled in the genU C.A.F.E course.

Learning how cafes operate and preparing the perfect coffee, Josephine’s passion for success was clear as she achieved a complete attendance rate and earned her certificate.

With her newfound skills, Josephine participated in a hospitality industry tour day, where she not only gained insights into local hospitality businesses but also interacted with potential employers.

Josephine's confidence grew as she handed out her resume, discussed local jobs, and demonstrated her new skills in making a quality cup of coffee.

Soon after, McDonald's showed interest in Josephine and invited her to apply for a position.

With APM’s assistance, Josephine prepared for the interview, refining her application and practising her interview skills.

Her efforts were rewarded when she was offered a job.

Today, Josephine is a popular team member at McDonald's where she says she enjoys interacting with customers and colleagues.

The APM team continue to encourage and support Josephine, including by enabling her employer to access wage subsidies.

Her journey from a socially isolated stay-at-home mum to a confident and valued employee in a fulfilling job shows the value of perseverance and the right support in achieving personal and professional success.
 

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