During the September school holidays, School Student Kate joined AUSMAR for a week of work experience.
Written by Kate,
Local school student.
Originally, I was nervous to start, sceptical of working alongside mature adults, however, as soon as I arrived I was welcomed by Josh and Bec, the team of Atelier design experts, with whom I would be spending the week.
Q: What were your first impressions of the office/team environment?
The atmosphere of the workplace was very professional yet approachable, with a strong sense of collaboration. I noticed how colleagues worked together, asking questions and sharing ideas, which made the environment feel inclusive and welcoming.
Q: How did it feel different from school?
Compared to school, the office felt more structured and professional, but in some ways more relaxed. Without bells and teachers leading lessons, I had to hold myself accountable and rely on my own self-discipline and independence.
During my week, I not only learnt about the steps involved in colour selection, but also how a successful company is run and how going above and beyond in customer service can foster a positive, stress-free experience for clients.
Q: What surprised you most about the colour selection process?
I was surprised by how intentional and thought-out each selection was. Before this experience I assumed colours were chosen simply because they “look good”, but I learnt that they are selected based on the mood and emotions the homeowner wants to create.
Q: Did it seem more creative or more structured than you expected?
I realised there are endless colour combinations to create a desirable space, no matter the home’s theme. The process was both creative and structured.
On my first day, I was given the chance to create my own colour selection for a dream home - with Josh’s help of course, I chose the most luxurious countertops and bathroom tiling!
Q: Which colours/materials stood out to you most?
I chose neutral tones such as white tiles and light finishes in the bathrooms to keep the space open and airy.
Q: Why did you pick them?
I wanted a calm and timeless base, then added depth with accent choices like burgundy tiles and Terril cabinetry.
Q: How did it feel to see your design come together?
After placing everything together in a flat-lay, I was able to visualise the overall effect - it made the design feel real and exciting.
On Wednesday, I was fortunate to visit some of AUSMAR’s display homes and homes under construction.
Q: Which part of the construction process did you find most interesting?
Seeing how projects are managed and how different trades work together was eye-opening. I enjoyed watching the teamwork that goes into each stage.
Q: What was different seeing it in real life compared to social media?
On social media, construction looks fast and effortless. In real life, I saw the hard work, communication, and physical effort required - even for small tasks.
While visiting display homes, I also got to see how marketing and social media are used to promote the business—and I even appeared in one of the videos!
Q: How did it feel to be part of that process?
It showed me how important promotion is for building trust between the customer and the company.
Across the week, I had many great opportunities - including helping a client choose their letterbox.
Q: How did it feel to contribute to a “real” client decision, even a small one?
Even with something as small as a letterbox, I could see the importance of providing practical and personalised advice to match the client’s lifestyle.
Reflections on my experience
After spending a week with the team, I can definitely see myself pursuing a similar career path in the future. Being in such a supportive environment helped me grow in confidence and knowledge every day.
I would like to thank Martina for organising this, and Josh and Bec for taking the time to mentor me. I have gained valuable insights into the workplace and a better understanding of possible career paths ahead.
Advice for future students
Q: If you could give advice to another student thinking about doing work experience, what would it be?
Choose a company with a strong culture and welcoming nature just like AUSMAR. It makes all the difference in gaining the most from your experience.