‍In an interview with Demi [host of a podcast] you spoke about how difficult finding your first job was. Could you talk about that time?

I figured if I wasn't getting the job that I wanted, [well] I didn't even know what I wanted. I didn't even know who I was or what would be good for me. So I said to myself, if I could wake up tomorrow and do the dream job, what would that be? My passion project came out from that, and that’s when I began focusing more on the nonprofit sector and on people that were change-makers. When I did my own thing, that was when I learnt what I was actually passionate about.

It's really hard as a young person when you're looking for a job. You're trying to get your foot in the door, but that's where your problem is. You're not connected to any organizations and don't understand what they do. So when you figure out what you want to be doing and you go find it, they're more likely to hire you because you actually care about what you're applying for.

How did you come up with the idea for the project?

I really just opened my computer on a blank canvas and said, “Come on, do something. I'm a storyteller, I love interviewing people… maybe I should interview people.” And what do I like talking to people about? It was about how they were changing the world. How they were contributing to good. And I realized, that's the thing - I like people making a difference. What is making a difference? And you start to look into it.

What were the first few interviews like for your magazine?

I started with reaching out to my network and sharing the stories of the people that I did know that were doing some good. Then once I had a few stories behind me, I was able to branch out. I was able to ask my networks if they would recommend anyone, because it's always easier to have a connection to someone you're trying to get in touch with.

So I started with what I had. And that's what I said in the conversation with Demi — it’s doing the best you can with what you've got, then that will expand naturally.

Did you also have a period where you’re like, “I don’t know what I’m doing?”. I graduated during COVID which was a rough time.

Yeah, definitely. And that's when - like I was saying before - you've got to reach out to people. You’ve got to put it out there because no one's going to know what you're going through if you don't communicate with them. I started with talking to family and friends, and those different perspectives helped. It gives you motivation to keep going because if you're a bit lost, you've just got to lean on people. Keep searching and looking, eventually things will come in your way if you put it out there. And people around you will help; they'll tell you what you're doing wrong, what you're doing right. It's all just about letting those around you help you, whether it's professionally or personally.

Do you find it easy asking for help?

I don't think it's ever easy to ask for help. I don't think vulnerability is easy, but I think you've got to look yourself in the mirror and say, “am I doing everything I can to fix this problem?” And if you're not speaking to people, you're not doing everything you can. So you've got to try your best to make a positive situation when you're in a bad circumstance; when you are a bit lost and you don't know what you're doing. If you're not open to fixing it and talking about it, then it's never going to change. You're going to be stuck in this sort of bubble and you're not going to know which direction to go in.

With your interest in storytelling, is there a thread you could point back to?

I think from the beginning I've always valued people. I get my energy from others. I love meeting people; making people laugh. So I knew that I should be in an industry or working a job that’s people orientated. I chose to study a Bachelor of Media Communications for that reason, and then I discovered my niche within that. You should really capitalize on what you're naturally good at. That's why I do so much public speaking.

Yeah, it took me ages to figure that out. I’d be applying for jobs and be thinking I don’t have the experience for them, especially as a new grad. How did you approach all of this?

You've got to own your uniqueness. They see everybody walk in the door who's qualified. You're probably all qualified, otherwise you wouldn't have the interview, so you need to do something that showcases you're unique. There's only one of you, and if they hire you, they're going to get that. So if you come in and say you can do everything on the JD (job description), you've got a degree… they're going to be like, okay, that's the minimum.

Tell me what you have done to go above and beyond, and what only you have done. So I will talk about things that make me stand out. I talk about my international internships, any passion projects I've created, because those are things that it's unlikely someone else has done before. And when you highlight your uniqueness, it shows them that you are passionate about what you do, that you're driven, and that you're going to bring those qualities into the role if they hire you.

Talk about something that they don't know. Because it will not only show that you're unique, but they'll remember you. If you're in an interview, you'll have 200 job applicants. How on Earth are they going to remember you? You've got to have something that people going to sleep at night will go “I remember that girl, because in the interview she really made me laugh, or she said something that was super interesting.” You've got to be memorable, and the way to do that is to be unique.

How do you manage self-doubt and imposter syndrome? Especially when it comes to applying for roles and putting yourself out there.

Nothing that comes your way in life is something that you're not ready for. If you get a good interview or you meet someone really important, you deserve to be there and you're ready for it. Otherwise it wouldn't happen to you. Period. That's just the way you have to look at it.

In terms of imposter syndrome, I mean, if we're talking about equality — we're all the same. Everybody is as deserving as another person. When you get those opportunities you’ve got to own that you deserve to be there and you've earned it. Own that and be honest and authentic with who you are. You need to be completely transparent with what you want to get out of it, what your motives are, how much you know and who you are. Just being really open with that from the get go because we're all different. No one's better than anyone else, but we're all different. Nobody's the same.

How do you go about talking to people in positions of authority, like say in your role as Chair of AYAC where you’re speaking to a lot of those people.

If you show respect to anyone, no matter what their age or how smart they are, they will respect you. Go into the conversation respecting who they are, but also owning yourself and knowing what you bring to the table. It's an equal playing field. As long as you try to respect everyone, everyone else will respect you. It doesn't matter what age you are.

And being transparent when you don't know something. Being open to saying, “I don't know, but I'd love to hear from you in terms of how I should approach the situation.” People like when you own what you're good at and what you don't know. Being open to learning from others is a really good way to get that respect from other people, because people don't like it when you think that you’re better than them or that you know everything, because nobody knows everything.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from other young people. I've met so many ambitious, driven young people who are changing the world, who are super young, and I wish I could have done what they did at that age. This inspires me to think, “You know what? I have the opportunity and I'm going to shine. I'm going to do my best to make it a better place for them.”

That's sort of my inspiration, especially because of my role as chair of the coalition [AYAC]. That's what my role is — to be the voice for young people. I get a lot of my energy from representing them because they are super inspiring and they're going to change the world for the better. I can see it.

Favourite book?

Well actually, because I created my own magazine, my favourite book is Kinfolk, which is a Scandinavian lifestyle magazine. And I love it. I collect them. They're great gifts for anyone who wants to buy me a gift. (laughs.) I love their perspective on storytelling. Any time they interview someone, you feel like you're the one having the conversation with them. And I think Scandinavian design elements are super interesting and unique. I also interned in Norway, so I feel a special connection to Scandinavian culture. 

Favourite artist or musician?

I love Ben Böhmer. He's a German artist and his music is just what's gotten me through so many hard times.

What’s a lesson you’ve taken from your family?

Nothing good ever comes easy. There's no cheap way of doing this — that's what my dad always said.