Alumni Spotlight
Tom Windlow (Class of 2004)
Current Role:
Senior Sergeant at Victoria Police (currently serving as a Senior Project Officer in Business Engagement).
Pivotal Moments at Koonung Secondary College?
During Tom’s time at Koonung Secondary College, he learned a valuable lesson that has left an indelible mark on his career and life. The lesson? If you apply yourself and are willing to put in the effort, then everyone around you will do their utmost to support and develop you.
What do you like about your current job and what is challenging?
Tom’s role as a Senior Sergeant at Victoria Police is anything but predictable. No two days are the same. In a flash his job can be turned on its head and he is required to adapt. He could start the day expecting that he’ll be doing project work and finish the day supporting a Statewide response to a State Emergency. Each day brings with it surprises, challenges, and opportunities, and it is this dynamic nature of Tom’s job that brings him enjoyment (and challenges) all at once. Tom finds the ability to adapt swiftly and effectively is both exhilarating and demanding.
Career Path - Is your current career as you originally intended?
Reflecting on Tom’s journey, he candidly shared that he wasn’t entirely certain about which direction he wanted to head upon graduating at Koonung. Policing, however, had always lingered in the background but he wanted to pursue and experience other jobs and industries before taking the plunge; this helped Tom gain valuable life experiences along the way.
Advice for Aspiring Police Officers?
To students and alumni considering a career in law enforcement, Tom offers some great advice. “Don't feel a need to rush into it the moment you leave school. There will always be a demand for more Police and opportunities available. Gain some life experience and get a qualification under your belt first (whether that be University or Tafe).”
Message to Your Year 12 Self?
“Getting a good score at the end of Year 12 is an advantage, but it isn't everything. There's always a way to achieve your goals if you are determined enough. Resilience is the key.”
SIGN-UP TO THE ALUMNI PROGRAM.
If you are a Koonung alumni (went to or graduated from Koonung Secondary College), we would love you to join our alumni program. It's FREE to join.
Alumni can give back to Koonung Secondary College in so many ways that benefit current students; either via inspirational study / career pathway advice, insights into the industry you work in, post-YR12 study tips and techniques, work experience opportunities, donations to assist with school programs etc. The opportunities for involvement are endless.
ARE YOU A KOONUNG ALUMNI ON LINKEDIN?
If so, we’d love you to please update the education section of your LinkedIn profile to include the correct Koonung Secondary College LinkedIn page. Our college LinkedIn page now includes an ‘alumni’ tab, and once you've added Koonung Secondary College to the education section of your personal profile, you will be added to the alumni stats on our official page. We'd be so grateful for this! See image below for reference.
FOLLOW THE ALUMNI PROGRAM ON SOCIAL.
CONTACT US.
Nancy Manders
Koonung Secondary College
Alumni Program Coordinator
E alumni@koonung.vic.edu.au
ABOUT THE ALUMNI PROGRAM.
Koonung Secondary College’s Alumni Program is being developed in partnership with Ourschool, https://ourschool.net.au/, a not-for-profit service that helps government secondary schools build thriving alumni networks to benefit current students and the school community.