Having found a full-time job herself, see how one community leader in Victoria’s Ethiopian community is helping others find work.
Tsion hadn’t worked a full-time job in 10 years as she has struggled to find a job that would accommodate her needs as a single mother of two young children.
But when her youngest child began school this year, she started searching for a full-time role.
“I’ve been working as an interpreter for the past two years,” Tsion said.
“It’s not an easy job, as there are odd hours and it’s not easy juggling kids and work.”
In recent years she’s also set up the Ethio-Australian Youth Education and Culture Service, offering free weekly tutoring to support Ethiopian communities in Wyndham, Tarneit, Melton and Caroline Springs.
Tsion, who is studying for a Bachelor of Community Development applied for a role through Working for Victoria, a Victorian Government initiative that provides people with the ability to upskill and find work.
Through Working for Victoria, Tsion has started a new full-time role as a recruitment officer for the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s ‘Given the Chance’ program which helps disadvantaged and marginalised job seekers find paid work.
“I feel like it’s a great opportunity and it’s going to open a lot of doors. It’s a life-changing experience for me.”
Having lived a similar experience herself, Tsion is bringing a great deal of knowledge to the position. It’s also given her a chance to help people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“One man has a PhD in Education and worked as a university lecturer in Africa with experience also working at the United Nations, but he’s unable to find a position at his level” she said.
“Starting from the beginning again and having had a similar experience, I know how to help.”
The job also provides Tsion’s children with a positive role model, watching their mother succeed.
“It’s really good for my kids, I want them to see that hard work pays off and I want them to feel like there are no limits,” Tsion said
“My five-year-old daughter is excited about me having a professional job and I can hear her already start to talk about her dream job.
“I feel so happy that this is changing my kids’ future too.
“I want them to dream big.”
Anyone legally allowed to work in Australia, including people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, can participate in Working for Victoria. Jobseekers, businesses looking for workers and people wishing to retrain for new roles can register at the Working for Victoria page.
