Eva Hopewell- Class of 2016
Q. Can you tell me in short about your experience at St John Fisher. What’s your fondest memory. What was your favourite subject and who was your favourite teacher…?
Some of my favourite memories from high school come directly from the musicals; ‘Camp Rock: A final Jam’ in grade 9, and ‘Popstarz: a 90s musical’ in grade 11. I met my formal date, made great friends, and got an appreciation for all things musical.
You could always find me in the library at lunchtimes – my friends and I would play cards and boardgames where I honed strategies and my competitive spirit.
My favourite subjects were English (I was and am a MASSIVE reader) and the Cert II Information Digital Media Technology I completed (which definitely gave me a head start at uni).
During my time at Fisher, I was fortunate to have Ms Jan Gulliver as both a Pastoral Care and Science teacher. She taught me how to draw electrical circuits, that I should always wear sunscreen, and most importantly, resilience.
Q. How has your schooling experience shaped the decisions you have made in your career and life?
Fisher’s focus on values and community definitely shaped how I interact with people in my career and life. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to network with a wide range of inspiring people and opened a lot of doors. Through university, travel and work, Ms Messer’s words still often ring true “You don’t have to be first best friends with everyone, but you do have to get along”.
Q. What made you embark on a degree in IT?
My decision to go into IT was calculated; it was an area I was passionate about, the industry definitely needed more women, it was innovative, offered good job security and I could work anywhere.
Q. During your time at QUT you worked as a Student Ambassador for QUT Oodgeroo Unit and a mentor to Indigenous students with Career Trackers. Can you tell me how you came to be involved and what this experience was like for you?
Throughout my degree and career, I’ve pursued multiple opportunities to give back to community, a value that was deeply ingrained in me at Fisher. I’ve been a student ambassador at QUT SID Winter camp, taught coding to young Indigenous girls at Girl Geek Academy workshops and mentored other young women excited about STEM. I’ve also been involved with the Career Trackers internship program since high school and all throughout my degree. Now I have completed university, I get to mentor younger CareerTracker students. It is deeply rewarding to be able to give back to communities that helped me get where I am today.
Q. After graduating from QUT (2019) with a BA in IT- what next steps did you take to embark on your career? Please elaborate on your career and the field you are currently working in.
At the end of 2019 I graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Information Technology, majoring in Information Systems with minors in Entrepreneurship and Indigenous Studies. Through the CareerTrackers program, I was able to complete a number of internships at St George Bank and Westpac Bank during my degree. This gave me valuable real world experience that earned me a graduate position in Sydney before I’d even started my final year at uni! I’m currently working as a project analyst with an awesome, close-knit team of women, and look forward to exploring all different areas of technology in the future.
Q. What would you say to your 12/ 13 year old self when starting at St John Fisher?
If I could say anything to my 12yr old self, about to start at Fisher, it would be this; as long as you know who you are and what makes you happy, it doesn’t matter how others see you. A lot of pressure is put on high schoolers that these have to be the best years of your life and I don’t think that’s true – life gets better after high school. So just focus on being happy, and make the most of every experience.
Q. What advice would you give to our Year 12s about to graduate from St John Fisher?
To the graduating Class of 2020, congratulations! You have made it through all the ups and downs of friendships, mountains of homework and a global pandemic – and you are stronger for it. The best part is this is just the beginning. You have the rest of your life ahead of you and you can do whatever you want. My advice is to surround yourself with people who will support you no matter what, and give them the same love and support back.
© Brisbane Catholic Education, St John Fisher College Bracken Ridge (2020)