East coast worker is cross-country pearl

For most teenagers, school work experience is their first job and can be somewhat daunting. However, Queensland student Laura Muller took the bull by the horns and found herself a ten-day work experience stint with Willie Creek Pearls in Broome.

With her Year 10 classmates working for local businesses just round the corner back, this ambitious 15-year-old travelled more than 4500km from her school in Karrabin for a taste of Broome.

The West Moreton Anglican College student’s grandparents John and Kay Muller had travelled to the town for the past five years to work for Willie Creek as tour guides during dry season and, when the opportunity to accompany them came along, Laura jumped at the chance.

During her two weeks with Willie Creek, she had a snapshot of the pearling business, working in the company’s Cable Beach showroom, selling pearls and dealing with customers, learning about the sought-after product and helping out at the farm.

Laura said Willie Creek was a professional operation.

“Although I am still deciding what I want to do when I leave school, the chance to work at Willie Creek has taught me a lot about working in the tourism and customer service industries,” she said.

Human resources co-ordinator Melissa Moir said the company regularly hosted teenagers from local high schools for work experience, a great first step into the commercial world for young people.

“Willie Creek is fully dedicated to helping students learn new skills, and the business has taken people on permanently in the past after a successful period of work experience,” she said.

“We have always been keen to assist with these placements, enabling the students to understand employment opportunities in Broome following their high school education and assisting with additional studies.”