For the past seven and a half years, she has worked at CO.AS.IT. Brisbane, where she puts her Italian skills to good use every day.

After working in education and child care, she wanted to find a job that would allow her to speak the language.

“Because I spent so long learning it and went to uni, it was a waste to just forget it and not use it”, she told In classe.

Today, within her role as roster supervisor, she manages a team of six staff members, ensuring more than 4500 clients receive the in-home care services the require every week.

Where does your love for the Italian language stem from?

I grew up in the country town of Stanthorpe which has a large Italian population.

As a result, the local schools offered Italian as their second language to study.

I started learning Italian in Year 5 and had an immediate love for it.

I chose to continue learning Italian through high school, where I took part in an Italian immersion program (learning maths and science in Years 8, 9 and 10) and followed it up with senior Italian in Years 11 and 12.

Due to my grades in senior Italian, I was lucky enough to win a StuditaliA prize and spent six months living in Parma in 2003, where I attended school and stayed with various host families.

What was your study pathway?

Following my six-month stay in Italy, I moved to Brisbane in 2004 and began studying at university to become a school teacher, specialising in Italian and History (SOSE).

I completed my degree in 2008 and then began working as a primary school Italian teacher.

I did this for approximately 18 months before moving to a role in childcare and then on to CO.AS.IT. in 2013.

What does a typical day at work look like?

Liaising with clients, care staff and coordinators about client services.

Dealing with client complaints and compliments.

Referring clients to other departments based on needs.

What do you like the most about your job?

I enjoy talking to all of our Italian clients on the phone when discussing their in-home services.

Quite a number of them don’t have anyone to talk with so when I call, they like to have a good old chat.

They often ask me where in Italy I am from and are surprised to hear that I am 100 per cent Australian with no Italian background.

In your opinion, what are three skills a person should have to become a successful translator?

Being approachable, being an excellent listener and being patient.

Can you tell us one highlight of your career so far?

I do not have just one highlight; I have been very lucky to be able to experience a few different industries in my career, including education, child care and now aged care.

When the clients are thankful for us helping them, it is good to have that rewarding feedback.

What would be your advice to students interested in pursuing a career in this field?

Being able to speak a second language is a great asset for any business and opens doors to many different opportunities.

Learn a second language and see where the world can take you.