Role models share success stories
Local
When creative women share their life experiences, the results can be powerful. That’s what happened at the International Coalition of Girls Schools (ICGS) Women in Creative Industries event on August 12.
The gathering of bright minds, held at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, featured panel guests including musician and speech pathologist Chelsea McGuinness (2016 alumna St Peter’s Girls’ School), theatre maker Katherine Sortini (2014 St Aloysius College), luxury wholesale manager Chelsea McGuinness (2006 Wilderness School), and South Australian glass artist Emma Young (2009 Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College).
Andrea Michaels MP, Minister for Small & Family Business, Consumer and Business and Arts, also attended.
The event provided an opportunity to inspire young women from Years 10-to-12 to embrace opportunities, aim high and set goals. As role models go, the panel had plenty of wisdom to share.
Emma, who operates under the sole trader business name ‘Emma Young Glass’, said her education encouraged camaraderie and offered a strong support network, instilling belief and drive in students.
“With so many amazing female mentors to look up to, there’s freedom in feeling like all career paths are achievable and viable for young women to pursue,” she said.
Emma didn’t choose art and design as school subjects, instead pursuing an interested in psychology and chemistry.
“I felt overwhelmed by the expanse of art and comforted by the rules of science, but fascinated by human behaviour,” she said.
“Glass blowing honestly seems like a perfect confluence of these interests and I feel very fortunate to have had access to learn hot glass at a university level with Gabriella Bisetto at UniSA City West, and then the career trajectory across at JamFactory. Adelaide is so special!”
Emma recalls hearing many conversations around “Women in STEM” during her high school years.
“But my school, OLSH, always used the acronym STEAM, to include Art. I honestly believe this had a massive subconscious impact for me, to connect Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths seems absolutely relevant to me now as a glass blower and helped me pivot from a Psychology degree to Visual Art in 2011. I believe creative skills are imperative for any career and workplace.”
A memorable moment was her debut solo exhibition ‘EYG’ at now-closed SA icon Urban Cow Studio in October 2019.
“So many of my high school teachers (science, drama, visual art,) many of whom no longer taught at OLSH, were in attendance,” Emma said. “It was lovely to continue to feel that support from my school network beyond graduation. Once an Olshie, always an Olshie.”
Meanwhile, Kate Olsson-McKinnon shared insights into her path in the luxury fashion industry.
“I work for myself as a freelance consultant; Olsson Consulting,” Kate said.
“I help emerging and established brands scale their operations on a national and international level.”
Kate’s trajectory into the world of fashion was impressive. Working for the Victoria Beckham brand in London was a highlight.
“I couldn’t believe a 23-year-old from Adelaide had landed a job there, but it wasn’t until I was sent to Paris for the first time for Fashion Week that I went, ‘ok wow, yes, this is what I want to do’,” she said. “I couldn’t believe I was in Paris, working, meeting buyers from stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods and Galleries Lafayette over a coffee, whilst showing them a rail of beautiful clothes.”
For all the highs, there were challenges.
“With everything you encounter obstacles. Moving to London at 23 was difficult,” Kate said. “Initially I was interning, receiving expenses only, before moving to minimum wage. I loved what I was doing, but I was barely existing, let alone living. Then, early on in my career being a young Aussie, I was underestimated by a lot of older European buyers, I really had to work hard to prove I was ‘worthy’ of conducting a sales appointment with them, ensuring I knew the product inside out, and how their business was performing.”
Fortunately, positive mentors and experiences during secondary school shaped her. “Being around all types of girls from so many ethnicities and backgrounds, with such varied personalities it really helped me understand on a deeper level how to empathise and communicate with the countless women I met working in a female dominated industry. I could really connect.”
As advice goes, Kate said, “If you’re thinking about it – just do it. You can always change your mind if it doesn’t work out – there’s no shame in giving it a shot. If you’re thinking of moving overseas – do it. Stick it out for a couple of months and if it doesn’t work, you’ve still had a memorable experience. If you’re learning a language, keep going – one of my biggest regrets is giving up languages. Having French, Italian, Mandarin or Japanese in my back pocket would have been a huge advantage.”
She also advises students to do what they love.
“If you’re great at English and Drama, pour your heart into it. Get the best marks you can. I’ve never once been asked about how well I performed in year 12 Maths (terrible if you must know).
Emma agreed.
“Fellow panellist Chelsea McInnes gave the best advice: “Say it out loud.” I believe that most people surrounding you want you to succeed and will help in any way possible,” Emma said.
“If you’re vocal about your interests and aspirations and immerse yourself in relevant classes/clubs/groups or communities, you’ll be presented with opportunities that you can run with, and have your eyes opened to possibilities, pushed by the encouragement of your peers and loved ones.”
