After being out of school for only seven months, Marcus Sevallos has made a significant impact on his employer, family, community and academy peers.
The Trinity Bay Academy (Cairns, QLD) alumnus graduated from Year 12 in 2018 and went straight into employment as a Customer Sales Officer with Clontarf partner Bank of Queensland (BOQ).
The role has given him the opportunity to develop his skills and grow his knowledge within an industry he is passionate about.
“I’ve learned a variety of skills since I started, including cash handling, branch administration and customer service,” he said.
“I have met a lot of new people and I’m learning new things every day.”
Marcus cut his teeth in the industry as a Year 10 trainee at National Australia Bank (NAB). Through hard work, resilience and sheer determination, he completed his traineeship and received resounding praise from his colleagues and peers.
He was first introduced to BOQ during a ‘speed networking’ session at the 2018 Cairns Clontarf Employment Forum. The BOQ team members were particularly impressed by his ambition and encouraged him to apply for a position upon completion of school. Despite being exposed to an array of different industries during the Forum, his heart was set on the finance industry.
Later in the year, Marcus was interviewed by BOQ and much to his and his family’s joy, he was offered a position at the bank’s Smithfield branch where he works to this day.
Marcus credits Clontarf for helping him on his journey to sustainable and fulfilling employment.
“The Clontarf academy helped me to complete my certificate modules during my traineeship with NAB,” he said.
“Since I’ve left school, the Clontarf Employment Officers have always kept in contact and are always checking up on me to see if I am doing well. I know that they are always there when I need them.”
Marcus shared his post-school experience with the current crop of young men at Trinity Bay Academy when he visited the programme earlier this year. The boys were enthralled with his stories and were very receptive of his final message.
“Look for every opportunity to better your future pathway while you’re in school where you have the most support around you.”
