Dale Fisher
- Age: 21 years
Competitor in Skill: Graphic Design Technology
Country: Australia
How did you get interested in your skill?
I have always enjoyed creating things. Growing up, I was always drawing, building and making things using any materials I could find. Leaving high school, I was unsure of what I wanted to do and I just picked a course that I thought sounded interesting. It was there at RMIT where I started developing an interest in design and realised I could do something I really enjoyed for a living.
Where did you do your training for your skill?
RMIT University, Melbourne City Campus
How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I first became involved when a former teacher suggested that I take part in a WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition at my TAFE.
Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
I wasn’t really influenced by any one person. It was a decision I came to slowly over my years of study after leaving high school. As I practiced and learned it became clearer what I wanted to do.
What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
My experience in participating with my member organization has been a positive one. I have found the team to be really helpful as well as easy to get along with. The experts and team leaders have also been understanding and helpful during the times that I needed them.
Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
My most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills would still be during the medal announcements for the National Competition in Perth. I had no idea how I had performed over the few days and it was such a nerve-racking and exciting experience.
Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
Since my involvement with WorldSkills my experience has been rather positive. Through my involvement I have been given access to skills and knowledge that I didn’t have before. I have also received a number of opportunities that I didn’t believe I would get before this whole process started.
Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
WorldSkills Australia has assisted me personally by providing me with opportunities and training that I would not normally have had access to. Professionally, WorldSkills Australia has helped me with my confidence in dealing with clients and the knowledge I have gained is applied in my work daily. Since competing, I have found it my job easier and my confidence in performing that job has improved greatly
What do you currently do? Where do you work?
Currently I am working freelance as a graphic designer whilst I train. This temporary change has been stressful but has also helped greatly with my confidence and has allowed me to be more flexible with my working hours.
What are your future career aspirations?
In the short term, I am aiming to find full time employment in my field. Until now I have only had a few freelance clients and am looking for something more stable than what I currently have. I am also aiming to expand on the number of freelance clients that I currently have. In the long term, I aim to have stable employment in my field in a position where I am able to work on a number of important projects. I aim to create work that will be seen by everybody. My long term goals for now are simple because I am more a person that pushes forward than one that fixates on the future.