By Tom Valenta
For young people with CF who are completing studies or vocational training and contemplating career options, experienced human resources and career counsellor James Gallacher offers advice. “Look for a career that you will enjoy.”
What are your gifts and how can you sell those gifts to a potential employer? What is the job market for those gifts?” James asks. He also advises people to be constantly curious and wanting to learn more about their chosen or proposed careers.
James also emphasises the need for people to find a work/life balance that includes income, physical and emotional wellbeing. “It’s important to balance work with physical exercise, social connection – and to enjoy your work.”
On the vexed question of whether a person with CF or other chronic health condition should declare their situation when applying for a job, James is guarded. “Workplaces do recognise mental and physical wellbeing. Leave entitlements, flexible work arrangements, anti-discrimination laws and other benefits are embedded in most work environments.” However, he counsels people with CF to be careful in how and when they reveal their condition. “I’d get appointed to the job first,” he says.
Does the trend towards working from home help? James believes it does. He has worked from home for around six years and finds the flexibility and convenience helpful. He does travel interstate frequently and is away for three or four days at a time. At home, he likes not having to wear a suit or spend time commuting.
James, who turned 50 in April and lives with CF is well qualified to discuss career options. After more than twenty years in corporate human resources and other management roles, James decided on a different career.
Six years ago, he and a colleague established a career transition consultancy which then evolved into the wellbeing area and then expanded into other portfolios. These include executive coaching, school coaching and presentations, grassroot community sporting and other clubs counselling and a range of other services. James also shares his lived experience storytelling on the public speaking circuit.
More recently, James became a suicide prevention facilitator, a role he undertakes with great empathy, care and compassion. He works with Roses in the Ocean, a Queensland-based not-for-profit (for purpose) organisation dedicated to suicide prevention. James holds lived experience suicide prevention workshops across Australia. He also works with other agencies such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue. He finds this work very rewarding, and values-driven despite its confronting nature.
After completing his Bachelor of Education degree majoring in Environmental Science, James had a very brief career as a secondary school teacher. He taught biology, physics, chemistry and environmental science. With hindsight, he believes teaching is a career for people with a level of life experience, not for those who have come straight from university.
James has been on Trikafta for around eighteen months and he, like so many other people with CF, has found it a life-changer. In addition to turning 50, he and his wife, Amy have twins (a daughter Ginger and a son Thomas) who turned 18 in April and will complete their secondary schooling this year.
His career should inspire younger people with CF to pursue their dreams and enjoy productive and satisfying careers.
*More CF Strong content on studies and careers available here.
About Tom Valenta
A former journalist and public relations consultant, Tom Valenta is an author and advocate. In all, he has written thirteen books of non-fiction covering diverse topics including dementia, cystic fibrosis and alcohol and other drugs.
His work in the dementia and cystic fibrosis fields was inspired by personal experiences – he lost his wife, Marie, to Alzheimer’s disease in 2009 and two of his six grandchildren live with cystic fibrosis. In addition to the books, he has written articles, scripts and has advocated in these areas.
Tom’s book on cystic fibrosis, “Every precious breath: Inspirational stories about living with cystic fibrosis,” was published in 2011. For his work, Tom was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Australia Day, 2019.
The views, experiences or comments shared on this website are not medical advice and may not reflect opinions or beliefs of Cystic Fibrosis Community Care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health.
