Georgia Maclaren took her first steps into the real-world following graduation from Caulfield Grammar in 2013. She has since followed her creative passions and sense of adventure to find her calling both personally and professionally.
Starting out
After school, Georgia says she dove into the deep end and enrolled in a three-year Communication Design (Graphic Design) degree at RMIT University. She completed it in four after taking a gap year in the third year to backpack solo across Europe: “I grew so much during that trip; it inspired my love of travel and passion for all things creative.”
Georgia then pursued and secured work as a full-time graphic designer at Stanley Black & Decker, an experience she says exposed her to the highs and lows of working in a high pressure and very subjective industry.
“There are tight parameters to work within and the hours can be extreme and stressful with the constant push to meet deadlines and client expectations, but having the ability to be creative every day and the opportunity to experiment within the job makes it all worth it.”
Georgia says working as a graphic designer has given her the opportunity to deliver creative work including MCG stadium signage, booklets and internationally acknowledged animations.
In pursuit of new challenges
Georgia says her life will soon shift gears away from the world of graphic design consulting to pursue a new and exciting adventure with her partner Lachie.
“We recently resigned from our jobs to pursue our shared love of travel. We bought a van and intend to live and travel across Australia in it over the next five years.”
Georgia says they plan to do a figure-eight around Australia, going up North in the winter, back through Central Australia for her birthday in November and then around Western Australia. With no set end date, she said they are open to the idea of falling in love with a coastal town, settling down and working there until they want to come back.
“To be able wake up every morning and drive wherever we want to, see whatever we want and do whatever we want; it really makes all of our hard work over the last few years really worth it.”
Reflecting on her future career aspirations, Georgia says she wants to be creative in her life and professional choices in a new way – through teaching. She said she has plenty of fond memories of her time at Caulfield Grammar, particularly of her teachers.
“My Year 12 Art Teacher Mr Messiah told me to strive to create work I am proud to put my name to, work that represents me. I want to be able to contribute to the profession that inspired me in the hope to inspire others and instill the same passion and love for all things creative that I was once gifted.”
Advice for current students and young alumni
Her advice for current year 12 students and new young alumni is to lean on their teachers and the community.
“Year 12 and the first years out of school are such impactful and full-on years. Whether it be at school, a new workplace, university or at home, I’ve found people want to help build you up and support you. Lean on and support your peers, you’re all in it together!”
Watch the video interview with Georgia Maclaren and fellow Grammarian Tahir Hunter now.
This profile was written by a team of young Grammarians as part of our inaugural Young Alumni Tell Their Stories Week – a week of content (including a social media takeover) by young alumni for young alumni. This initiative forms part of our broader Young Alumni Ambassador Program (YAAP).
