“One finds limits by pushing them”

–      Herbert Simon

One of our much loved team members Mish is leaving us this week to commence an accounting workplace as part of a scholarship she has been awarded.

Mish is a fantastic guide for our students climbing Mount HSC each year and in her final blog post Mish outlines her own experiences across the last few years.

Thanks for everything Mish! We will miss you here at the office.

Jesse, Fergus, Carol, Mash and the rest of the team at HSC CoWorks

Mish’s post HSC growth story

2011: Year 12

Sitting the HSC, I felt lost. If anyone asked me what I wanted to achieve in the next 5 years, I honestly had no clue. I knew I could study hard and focus on getting good grades, but I didn’t know why I was putting in so much effort.

‘Surely I’m not studying so hard to get into a course that doesn’t require a high ATAR. Right?’ was what I thought to myself all the time.

Wrong! What I never knew then was that all the hard work I was putting in was determining my character, how I conduct myself, and giving myself a “kit-bag” for my future.

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2012: First year university

Fast-forward 6 months. I’d just finished my first semester at UNSW and was juggling full time study with a part-time job in retail, when I heard about an exciting opportunity at HSC CoWorks (formerly known as FergHSC).

Often, the biggest challenge is getting out there and giving it a go. At HSC CoWorks, that would’ve been my first day in the office. Walking into the white classrooms, I was greeted with unfamiliar faces of students who told me their names that I couldn’t remember. My heart was racing, hands sweaty, and looking over, Mash were chatting casually to the students about their weekends or their last soccer match.

There I stood, thrown in the deep end, and the only way I’d make it through is to push through my comfort zone and adapt to the new environment.

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2014: Current

I’m about to start a new journey by accepting a Scholarship with the University of New South Wales’ Co-Op Program. As I’m about to begin my first Accounting Industry Training Experience in Gosford with Work Cover, I can’t help but think back to my first day at HSC CoWorks. Since joining the team at HSC CoWorks, there have been so many invaluable opportunities for development and growth.

To summarise the amazing journey I’ve had in my last 18 months, I’ve learnt the following invaluable skills:

1.     Be resilient.

It might be embarrassing to get up on the white board to teach others the first time, but every time after that, it just gets easier and easier.

2.     Have a vision.

Have a dream or goal that you want to achieve, whether it be short term or long term. No getting limbic, no problem-drama!

3.     Value the support you have around you.

Whether that’s a great team in the workplace, a strong family connection, or your friends, it’s important to ask for help when you need it.

4.     Be flexible.

Things are constantly changing in our environment, so don’t get left behind because you can’t adapt.

5.     Learning is constant.

Being open to learning new things and accepting challenges is what pushes you forward to achieve greatness.

I’d like to thank Fergus, Jesse and Carol for giving me the opportunity to work in such a successful and dynamic organisation. This is not a goodbye to all you HSC CoWorkers, because I have no doubt that I’ll soon see you at the top universities or in the workplace. The great conversations I’ve had with you guys, seeing you grow and gain your own insights is definitely something I’ll miss!

Dream big, aim high, and remember that life’s a journey rather than a destination.

Michelle Cheng

(Team Leader)