108 Bargara Rd
Bundaberg East, Qld, 4670
Nicole Steffenhagen loves helping young people find their way in life and she's travelled halfway around the world to help Bundaberg's youth do just that.
Nicole is a Youth Worker with IMPACT Community Services' Get Set for Work program, which offers an individualised service to young people aged between 15 and 19.
Get Set for Work helps teenagers to improve their employment prospects with quality training and soft skills coaching.
Nicole, who started at IMPACT mid-March, has only been in Australia 10 months, but has brought a wealth of experience with her from her home in Washington State in the US.
She has a background in residential care for youth, and in America she worked at a Summer Camp.
“The Get Set for Work program is new to me,” Nicole said.
“But, I've had a lot of experience running youth programs with my husband who works for the Salvation Army.
“It has given me a lot of experience teaching soft skills and helping younger people look after their mental health.”
Nicole said the biggest learning curve has been getting familiar with the Australian workforce and education system.
She is finding her work a rewarding occupation.
“Enabling youth to learn the skills needed to find a job and find their way in life, is very valuable,” Nicole said.
“I'm very happy to be doing this kind of work.
“I had a disadvantaged upbringing but there were people who supported me and helped me out, and I'm glad to be doing the same for others.”
Nicole loves Bundy although the heat is hard to get used to.
“It's a great town,” she said.
Get Set for Work is part of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
Find out more about Get Set for Work at Get Set for Work - Impact Community Services or call 4153 4233.
Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.