FROM CORPORATE BOARDROOMS TO WIDE-OPEN SPACES

Lisa Freeman’s Certificate IV of Conservation and Land Management and her eventual Diploma in Mid 2007 has seen her change careers from the confines of corporate boardrooms to enjoying the wide open spaces.

Working in the fast-paced world of advertising, Lisa, 26, decided to have a working holiday in England and Scotland last year. To finish off her stay in Scotland she worked as a volunteer conservation tour guide and loved it.

It had such an impact on her life that she investigated training for a career-change when she returned to Australia.

After exhaustive research Chisholm was her number one training choice offering her the chance to gain excellent widely recognised qualifications and allowing her a special intake mid-way through 2007.

“My teacher, Robyn Allan looked at the extensive volunteer work that I had completed in Scotland and was able to convert its international standing into course credits. The flexibility was just great.”

Lisa finished her Certificate IV prior to Christmas and will gain her diploma midway through the year. ”Although it is only a small unit it’s like one big family, which is a fantastic way to study.”

“My complete career-change has been brilliant and I have put all the stresses of corporate work firmly in the past.”

Over the Christmas break Lisa has been enjoying a position as a summer ranger at Braeside Park, City of Kingston.

Chisholm uses the Park for part of its conservation courses for practical works and this lead on to the summer-position being offered.

Lisa already is making a name for herself in the conservation world - in 2007 she was awarded the Parks Victoria Young Kookaburra Volunteer of the Year Award.

Enrolments are now being taken for the Conservation and Land Management courses at Chisholm Institute.