Ellen Baumgarten

SWN Good News Story – Ellen Baumgarten

Ellen was initially prompted to contact SWN after driving past the Hub on her way home. While she was in active employment, she was seeking other opportunities closer to home that would be more suitable for her and her young family. After some discussions with SWN Career Advisors, Ellen expressed interest in and gained a place in the 2025 intake of the SWN Hospitality Ready Course, where she gained skills in Front of House, Back of House and Housekeeping operations and participating in a work placement within a local hospitality venue. Although Ellen was not successful in gaining employment from her work placement, she was determined and started to present to businesses in person with her resume. This led her to working for her current employer, where she now works as a Housekeeper.

We recently caught up with Ellen to ask her some questions regarding her experience.

**Have you always lived and worked in Tasmania?**

No, I have moved around a bit but have been back in Tasmania for 6 or 7 years. I now lived in the Southern Midlands area with my young family.


**What sort of jobs/industries have you worked in, in the past?**

My last role was a Farm Hand position within an Oyster Farm, and I have also previously worked in landscaping in between studying.


**How did you hear about the SWN Jobs Hub?**

I was driving past and saw the Jobs Hub signs out the front, so I called in.


**How did you find your initial meeting with SWN went? Did it meet your expectations?**

The team is very friendly; they took the time to get to know me and ask questions around my interests.


**Did you initially access SWN services for employment or training/upskilling?**

I initially accessed SWN for support with finding more suitable employment and also ended up participating in the SWN Hospitality Ready Program this year.


**Did you reach your intended goals accessing support from SWN?**

It did, they supported me to in finding employment. After a job opportunity fell through, I was extremely motivated and went to multiple businesses with my resume to hand in, in person. I approached my current employer this way, and after taking my resume in I was offered a casual job on the spot.


**What is your current role and what does a typical workday look like for you?**

I am working as a Housekeeper and a typical day for me is making beds, cleaning bathrooms, mopping and any other general cleaning to ensure that accommodation is clean and presentable to a high standard.


Ellen is a clear example that being proactive, having the right attitude and overcoming setbacks pays off.

Thank you, Ellen, for taking the time to sit down with us to discuss your journey to employment, we wish you all the best for the future.