Patricia Baird When I lost my brother I started to reflect on where my life was heading, working for a large corporation whose focus was on shareholder return rather than adding value to the people who enabled it to succeed. I had thought about counselling for some time – I was attracted by the fact that I could add value to other peoples’ lives and my own whilst also earning an income.   Resigning from my job wasn’t a problem – plunging into the unknown was really scary but fortunately I had the support of my husband who encouraged me to study and establish my own private practice.   The arrival of my first study pack was greeted with great enthusiasm and I had set myself a deadline of 18 months to complete my Diploma. As I progressed the fear of how I would apply what I had learned practically began to surface. At the same time I noticed an advert for volunteer Parent Aides at the Mater Family Services Unit. Within weeks I was on a training course and working with my first client.   Although the work of a parent aide is not counselling as such, it does involve the use of counselling skills as you assist clients with practical parenting issues, life skills and connecting them with local services. I found the work helped build my confidence.   Just before I completed my Diploma I called Student Care Qld from the AIPC volunteer handbook to see if I could broaden my experiences. They offered me a contract counselling position with their organisation! Already they have put me on a course and are involving me in many aspects of their organisation whilst accepting that I will also be building my own private practice.   I learned the value of volunteer work during my studies and the fact that the opportunities are not going to pick up the phone and call you – you have to take the initiative – the worst they can do is say ‘no’. In the end it took me 2 ½ years to complete my diploma but now I am building my own practice – Positive Steps, Professional Counselling.