EastCoast HR Group has approached prominent and everyday Sunny Coasters about their careers. Follow our Friday Feature to find out what inspires those around us to go to work every day!
Today, we talk to Jarrod Bleijie, MP Member for Kawana.
- Shadow Minister for Education
- Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations
- Manager of Opposition Business
What was your first job?
I started voluntary work in my parent’s small business, Gotta Go Camping, which at the time was situated in Caloundra. Every afternoon after school I would ride down to the shop and put in a good couple of hours, and then of course on Saturday and Sunday too.
My first paid job was at KFC Caloundra.
Who are the people that have made the biggest difference in your career and why?
I participated in a youth program titled The Caloundra City Future Leaders. That was a great program in terms of networking whilst I was studying law and working in a Sunshine Coast law firm.
My parents were the most influential. They had me working early in the camping store. Before I got my first paid job, I had experience in retail, customer service, stocktaking, stock display, and how to work a cash register.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Work hard because nothing will ever come easy or be given to you. You have to fight for the job, show you want it, and earn the reward for the individual efforts.
Think back to five years ago. Did you envision your career as it is today?
I have been a Member of Parliament for 10 years now. I always loved volunteering and community service but there is no job description for being a Member of Parliament.
I would never have thought I’d be elected at 27 years of age and would never have imagined having the honour to serve as Queensland’s second-youngest Attorney General and Minister for Justice between 2012 and 2015.
How do you approach work – life balance?
In my job it’s very difficult. We are required to travel to Brisbane for Parliament, sometimes for fortnight-long sittings. As a Shadow Minister, I am also expected to travel around Queensland speaking to other Queenslanders about my shadow portfolio responsibilities. Locally, I am on call 24/7. Many of the community functions that I attend are either at night or on the weekends, so in some instances, it is very hard to have a work/life balance. I am very blessed to have an understanding wife!
What is your proudest moment in your career?
I don’t consider serving as a Member of Parliament a career. However, my career, before entering Parliament, was as a lawyer. I was very proud when I graduated law. It was a hard slog to obtain my law degree. I completed 5 years equivalent to full-time external studies whilst also working full-time in a law firm on the Sunshine Coast as an Articled Clerk. I nearly gave up in the final year. I was working so many hours at the law firm, I was married, and a young father. It was a struggle, but then I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, so didn’t give up. My advice – never ever give up, even if you get knocked down, get up again.
