There are many ways to be successful, and this story about Taylor shows that keeping an open mind, being adventurous and grabbing every opportunity to learn can lead to amazing and unexpected outcomes.

When Taylor Brown was a student at St Stephen’s Catholic College, she had no idea she would one day be working as a Registered Nurse in the role of Injury Management Officer and Emergency Response for underground coal miners at one of the biggest coal mines in Queensland! In fact, the thought of nursing never crossed Taylor’s mind as she was focused on a career in the police force.

Taylor’s current role involves working in some incredibly intense situations. Taylor says,

As an injury management and rescue response officer, I am the clinical component

of an underground rescue team which means if any coal miner gets injured I gear up with my self-rescuer breathing apparatus, safety wear, cap lamp and required medical equipment and accompany a rescue team underground to attend the coal mine worker, treat them, get them out of the underground mine safely and get them to the nearest hospital facility.

Some areas of the mine are as deep as 400+ metres underground and can take nearly an hour in an underground diesel car to get to. I have attended rescues in which we've had to climb through, over and under heavy hydraulic equipment to get to an injured miner in environments that are well over 45 degrees in heat and dangerous in gas levels so only certain equipment could accompany.

It's essentially like a coal dusty, hot, humid obstacle course and then once getting to the coal mine worker, needing to collaborate with the rescue team on how to safely extract the worker. This avenue is adventurous, exciting and high risk. It involves a need for a clear and steady head in high stress situations but is well supported with a highly trained rescue team.

Before landing in this exciting position though, Taylor’s pathway was varied. She found her initial transition to life after high school to be exciting, and threw herself into the workforce to gain life experience. On discovering that the police force was not for her, at the age of 18, Taylor launched into the hospitality field where she excelled and had opportunities to manage pubs and hotels.

Although these opportunities were exciting, Taylor’s hospitality roles did not fulfil her need for learning and an enriching career. After trying a few other avenues including trade apprenticeships and other studies, at the age of 22 her mum suggested that she try nursing.

Taylor says,

I had never considered it and decided to jump at the opportunity and I could not be more grateful I did. The avenues that nursing opens for an individual are incredible. I have now worked in areas such as the presumed hospitals and general practices but also on remote 6-star luxury island resorts, remote nurse led only hospitals and now have the experience in an underground coal mine which is another adventure I never thought would have been on my path but stoked that I get the experience.

Healthcare and the facts about the body are endless and once I began understanding how huge and exciting knowledge of the human body and its condition holistically is, I became enveloped in learning. I also think by this point I was beginning to really want a career, something I could passionately give all of myself to and exceed in and nursing is subtly fantastic at doing that to someone.

Currently, Taylor is continuing with the focus and attitude which have led to her success so far. Clearly driven, Taylor explained that as well as working in the mine she is also working casually in Emergency on her days off to maintain her skill set. She is also studying to take the GAMSAT which is the entry exam for postgraduates into a medical degree to become a doctor. Ultimately, Taylor would love to continue down this path and work as a doctor in a primary health care or emergency department in remote areas.

Taylor has some words of advice for current students at St Stephen’s Catholic College.

She says,

Helping me really find myself after high school was knowing that every experience and opportunity that presents itself to me can benefit in developing me as a person and the skills, morals and wisdom I can take with me throughout my whole life.

Taylor adds,

Something I wish I knew at 17 is I didn't have to choose my whole life's plan at 17.

Know that not everything will go as planned but that's ok! Because a new opportunity will present and it will be better because you have the life experience from the events that didn't go to plan.

Choose a career and know that if you don't like it, you can always choose another avenue but ensure you give the career your best effort and that way you will know in yourself that it wasn't for you.

Understand that grinding and working hard is required in everything so don't determine that you don't like something because one experience/subject or skill wasn't enjoyable to you. Assess holistically, is this path serving you well in the physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual parts of your life.

Taylor has many fond memories of her time at St Stephen’s, and still has friendships that she established in high school! When Taylor was a student here, we only had Year 8 and Year 9, and the College only consisted of S and M block!

Taylor says,

The classes were tight-knit and I believe my year cohort was one of the smallest ever so we all generally looked out for each other very well. I was house captain for Muluridji in Years 10, 11 and 12 and my passion for sports definitely carried throughout in events such as the Wheelbarrow Race and Relay for Life.

Mr Simon was the principal when I attended and he was brilliant for morale. Our school bell was the chorus of 'Tubthumping' by the band Chumbawamba and I still hear the chorus and smile thinking of school.

Mr Helms, Ms Chiesa, Mr Caines, Mr Richards and Ms Towers were definitely my most influential teachers for me.

Mr Helms taught us to 'suck it up' which makes me laugh … he was by far one of my favourite teachers and I still have the utmost respect for him. He was real and we all appreciated that. Ms Chiesa definitely sparked my interest in Biology to then flourish in my nursing studies. Mr Caines was hands down the best Maths teacher I've ever had. Mr Richards taught us spirituality and Ms Towers connected with us as teenagers better than anyone and I am really grateful for her guidance.

Taylor’s story highlights just how many unexpected opportunities are available to students when leaving school, and the value of keeping an open mind when considering career options. We wish Taylor all the best for the exciting years ahead and hope to hear more about where her journey leads.

If you are an alumni of St Stephen’s, or know an inspiring graduate, please let us know by contacting ssm.office@cns.catholic.edu.au.

We would love to hear about the success of our amazing past students!

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