Amanda Smith’s story is a powerful example of an unconventional career change—one that didn’t involve changing jobs, but rather rediscovering the value of the work she was already doing.
With decades of experience across diverse industries—from aviation to business owner to education—Amanda embodies the kind of rich, real-world knowledge that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) was designed to honour.
Her journey is one of transformation, resilience, and reconnecting with her sense of purpose. Now a Career and Education Advisor with Churchill Education, Amanda helps others recognise the very value in themselves that she once struggled to see in her own story.
Here is Amanda’s candid conversation about a very big life change that brought her back to the job she loved all along:
Background: A Career of Many Chapters
Amanda spent 20 years with Qantas as a long-haul flight attendant. Ambitious and dedicated, she quickly rose to a senior position and eventually moved into corporate training and recruitment roles with HR.
She delivered training in conflict resolution, communication and leadership—building a skillset that extended far beyond the cabin.
Despite her professional success, Amanda left Qantas to focus on family. The departure was sobering.
After two decades of service, her formal acknowledgement was a smudged, low-quality letter that listed only her start and finish dates. “I was always a number,” she recalls.
The experience left a mark—not of bitterness, but of clarity: she had so much more to offer than what had been formally recognised.
From Business Owner to Career Guide
Not one to stay still for long, Amanda went on to run a successful homewares business for seven years. She describes her career as that of “an apprentice of lots of things and master of absolutely s**t all”—a humble and cheeky understatement.
Across all her different careers and roles, Amanda consistently brought energy, empathy, and an ability to connect deeply with others.
It was that people-centred strength that led her to Churchill Education, where she found a home helping others make sense of their varied career experiences through RPL.
She found the work deeply fulfilling—but after five years, burnout crept in.
Stepping Away to See Clearly
Amanda made the bold decision to resign, with no plans to return. What she knew was that she needed space.
She set out to walk the 800+ kilometre Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, from France to Spain.
“I knew it was going to be transformational,” she says. “I just didn’t realise on what level.”
With time, space and kilometres under foot, Amanda came to an important realisation: it wasn’t her job that needed to change—it was other aspects of her life.
The Camino gave her clarity and the courage to take steps in her personal life that had long been avoided.
“It’s not enough to just be comfortable,” she says.
A Return with Purpose
Following the Camino, Amanda returned to work—this time with renewed self-awareness and a deepened sense of compassion.
She was offered multiple roles but chose to return to Churchill. “My heart’s with Churchill,” she says. “I love the people I work with. I love the people I talk to.”
As a Career and Education Advisor, Amanda is the voice on the end of the phone delivering the life-changing news: “You’re eligible.”
She’s witnessed people burst into tears when they realise their years of experience truly count. “People don’t even realise how skilled they are,” she says. “RPL gives you something physical to say: I’m worth it.”
In Her Words
“We have choices. There are consequences, sure. But not making a decision—that’s hell.”
“If I can do anything, it’s to help someone see their worth. I want to be that person who gets to say: look what you’ve got. Celebrate it.”
In Summary
Amanda’s story is a powerful example of how personal and professional growth are deeply intertwined.
Hers is an unconventional career transition—not from one job to another, but from burnout to clarity, from resignation to renewed purpose.
She has learned to own her experience, trust in her value, and encourage others to do the same. Her path is proof that change doesn’t always mean starting over—sometimes, it means coming back with open eyes and a full heart.
