How I Got Here: Emily Pease
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you wanted to know about the secrets of career success. Today, we chat to the GIANTS’ Emily Pease. A Canberra local, Emily joined the team in 2020 and took home the GIANTS’ Rising Star Award in 2022. Since then she’s become one of the GIANTS’ most consistent performers.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m not really a doomsday planner. I would probably head home to Canberra and figure it out with my family.
Or do you mean, I’m Emily Pease and I am a footballer (half-back) for the GIANTS in the AFLW? Ha!
Let’s go back to when you were a kid, have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I have always wanted to do sport at a top level. Ever since I started AFL in year 7, I knew I wanted to play this for a long time and when AFLW came about it increased that drive even more.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
I was always very competitive and wanted to do better and win. I have an amazing support system that allowed me to push myself to get to where I am today.
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
Through my first year, I didn’t get the opportunity to play a game, which was really tough on me mentally. I knew that I wanted to prove to people and to myself that I was good enough to be playing in the AFLW. I told myself that I can do hard things and it will be worth it.
What was your biggest break?
An injury opening that allowed me to play my first game at AFLW level and I’ve never looked back.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Your worth isn’t measured by a scoreboard—play because you love it. That and never shrink to fit in.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love playing the game and the support from all the fans is amazing. Late night travel home after an away game makes me want to pull my hair out though – especially after a loss.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
I stay in the know by checking online sites like 9 and 7 news articles.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still playing AFLW and loving it. Taking my dog for a walk every morning and hanging out with the girls. Hopefully a zookeeping/animal care job as well.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
AFLW has evolved so much since the start and it feels incredible to be a part of something that is growing so much and has the ability to inspire so many young boys and girls to get into the sport. There is a great community around Australian Rules from the grassroots to the elite game and you always feel supported and people want you to succeed. If people have a passion for the sport and the ability to succeed they should go for it!
What advice would you give your past self?
Don’t give up on yourself when things get hard. You deserve to be where you are, just don’t be afraid to ask for help to get you there.
