In year 12, my exasperated careers adviser tried to cobble together ideas for me based on my stated interest, “animals” (because “the Mars vending machine” and “Orlando Bloom” were apparently unhelpful). He suggested I could be a vet.

After a dismal work placement emptying bloodied syringes and cleaning up dog poo at a veterinarian clinic, I realised my interest in animals was limited to cat memes and the occasional puppy.

A dismal work placement at a veterinarian clinic convinced me that I would never become a vet.Credit: Michael Howard

At 18, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life except watch the extended director’s commentary of Lord of the Rings as many times as humanly possible.........

© The Sydney Morning Herald