Karina Pengelly, Director of the Australian Home Study Institute talks to Your Balance about being a work at home mum and working part time. She obviously has a super power, running a busy family with her husband Jay and family of four kids – she still gets time to read a book, go to the beach and the hairdressers. How does she do it?
What is your elevator pitch?
The Australian Home Study Institute Education stand out from other course providers. You can study anywhere at any time.When you enrol in one of our courses, you will find no class or lecture schedules making demands on your time. You set your own timetable and work at your own pace without pressure.
what is your website addy?
http://www.homestudyinstitute.com.au
What kind of family environment did you grow up in?
I am a country girl and I grew up on a dairy farm with my family. Everyone pitched in to help. There was lots of fun but also the reality that dairy farming is 24/7 and there was often a night where a calf needed delivering or hay was being made.
What were the early days like trying to break into the education industry?
It was really tough, learning as you go and learning from mistakes.
What kept you going when times were tough financially?
We both have casual jobs. I still teach part time and Jay is a Rescue Crewman on the Westpac Helicopter in Newcastle. We also come from close knit families who helped out with meals and the farm veggie patch certainly helped.
What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?
Waitress, child vacation care, school teacher & taxi driver for my 4 children
Were you ever tempted to get a ‘real job’?
I still have one, working part time as a Teacher
Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?
Well blended in a hectic way.
How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?
It is definitely a juggling act with a bit of sleep deprivation thrown in. I teach on set days and have other days are designated for the business but there are always some additional demands that turn up. I rely heavily on the slow cooker. On footy, soccer and netball training nights Jay helps a lot as well. Car pooling helps when we are supposed to be in 4 different places at the same time. All 4 children have set jobs to do. I keep 2 hours a week for myself to walk, go to the gym, catch up with friends for coffee or get my hair done.
What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?
Being organised is essential. If I am not organised the stress levels can start to take their toll. Tempers are shorter, the noise seems louder and time – well there is none
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing the College?
Definitely the financial heart ache and also finding the right mediums for advertising and marketing.
How many hours do you work in a typical working day and do you work weekends?
I leave the weekends to Jay. I teach two days a week most weeks and would spend around 6 hours per day the other days on the college, sometimes more it just depends on the course enquiries.
Can you describe a typical day?
Up at 6am, kids breakfast then off to school. 2 loads of washing most days, hang it out. Crank up the dish washer. Go to work/school or work on the college. Home, get dinner started then do the soccer, netball and footy training run, in summer its swimming and surf life saving. Dinner, help with home work, clean up then collapse.
What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with? Why are these qualities important to you?
I respect and value people who are honest, diligent, reliable, flexible and able to cope with change. These are values we were bought up with and also instil in our children. Most of all I value people who are respectful and professional in business.
What do you do in your spare time?
Go to the beach, read.
Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?
Working Mum’s who have taken the plunge into business and succeeded and still able to spend quality time with family.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
Ben 10, I quite like his Omnitrix watch where you can decide what super hero best suits the situation. I could do with some extra arms and eyes, working in fast forward would also come in handy.
What community organizations are you involved in? Why is that important?
We are all involved in surf life saving. Our children do nippers, our oldest daughter and Jay do regular volunteer patrols. We live near the beach so it is very important for the children to be surf aware. There is a great community spirit being involved in a surf club. The social events are fun for the whole family. It is a great life style and provides surf skills, fitness, team work and best of all participation.
What has your biggest challenge been? Your biggest achievement? Your proudest moment?
Getting married and having each of our four children.
What makes you laugh?
People with a great sense of humour
What are your pet hates?
Laziness
The Australian Home Study Institute has over 450 courses to choose from.
If you are looking to study from home at your own place the site is absolutely fabulous and really worth checking out. www.homestudyinstitute.com.au
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
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