Lisa Kemball's early career would hardly be described as traditional.

"I did retail work, worked as a performance artist and dabbled as a lighting technician," she says. "But once I hit 29, I felt I wanted more-regular work." As she'd always enjoyed being around children, Kemball decided to train as a childhood educator.

"I did a diploma of children's services, which took two years at TAFE. I really enjoyed my studies," she says.

Kemball also got into the swing of her future career through a part-time nannying role looking after a two-year-old boy.

Upon graduation, she decided to work in the field as a casual, working with newborns to five-year-olds at early-childhood centres across Melbourne.

"The day starts by setting up the room," she says. "If I was in charge of the toddlers' room, I'd program my day with activities - [it was about] play-based learning."

Kemball soon discovered there was plenty of paperwork required alongside the ongoing program planning.

"You keep a lot of paperwork about the kids," she says.

"Every day you have to jot down what they had for morning tea, lunch and how long they slept, so you can relay it to the parents at the end of the day."

She admits being in charge of 10 babies, 15 toddlers or 20 preschoolers makes for a demanding workday.

"It's very hectic! You have to be passionate and motivated to be part of it," she says.

After four years, Kemball discovered she wanted a career with more long-term potential than she felt the industry offered.

"I was looking for something to grow and build and to feel supported financially," she says.

After a year of searching, an opportunity came up to work as a business development executive with hotel company Accor.

"I'm now based at the Novotel in St Kilda, Melbourne," she says.

"My job is to generate new leads, prospective business for the hotel.

"I look after the MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, events and exhibitions] and corporate sales business."

While the people she now deals with are more likely to be 30-year-olds than three-year-olds, Kemball's new career is still people-driven.

"The number one skill is forming and maintaining relationships with people, from businesses in the local area through to staff, clients and potential clients," she says.

It's a part of the role in which she delights. "I thrive on meeting people on a daily basis," she says.

"I think [dealing with people] is in my nature. I am on the road a lot. I go out to visit potential new clients, which I really enjoy."

She's also discovered she loves the world of sales.

"I think selling is easier for some people than others," she says. "You have to learn how to take the knockbacks. But then you have people saying, 'Yes, I'd like to hear more' - that's exciting."

She's also realised the multitasking abilities that helped her succeed in childcare are useful in business development.

"Keeping on top of things every day is really important," she says.

THEN
Salary: "As a casual, $35,000 to $40,000 [a year], tops. Some centres pay more, others pay less."
Work-life balance: "Good. No complaints!"
Hours: Eight to 10 hours a day, depending on the centre. "Starting at 7am is common."

NOW
Salary: $45,000 (entry level).
Work-life balance: "Working nine to five is great. When I was doing childcare I was also performing at the same time but now I feel more relaxed. I've stopped performing, too; after 10 years it was time to move on."
Hours: 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Miss: "I don't miss much, because I've found something else that's inspired me. But childcare is not recognised in this country as it should be; early-childhood educators work so hard on everyone's behalf."
Challenges: "Now I'm feeling very comfortable with clients, it's just about learning new programs, reporting and the certain way things get done. I've been well looked after here."

LINKS
novotelstkilda.com.au