Curiosity can be your career compass

When she first thought about her career path, Ariel Dannenbring imagined herself becoming a psychologist. Drawn to helping people and fascinated by human behaviour, she envisioned a future in organisational or health psychology. But as she reflects now, her career has taken an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling turn into learning and development, a path that allows her to combine her love of people with her creative side.

In her first year at university, Ariel sought out opportunities to expand her experience beyond the classroom. What began as a volunteer role at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) quickly turned into a position as a Creative Technologist in CIE’s makerspace, where she was introduced to new tools, technologies, and teaching opportunities.

“Suddenly I had to learn all the new tools and technology and start teaching people! I spent a lot more time practising and researching so I could be ready. That experience put me in the driver’s seat of learning and I quickly realised that not only was I capable of stepping out of my field and picking up new skills, but I also loved seeing the joy on people’s faces when they solved a problem or saw their ideas come to life.”

This set the tone for Ariel’s career, giving her the confidence to keep pursuing roles where learning and creativity intersect. When she graduated, she found herself torn between continuing on the path of psychology or staying in a space that nurtured her growth and curiosity. In the end, her pull toward ongoing learning and creativity won out, and she took up a full-time role as venue coordinator at CIE.

One of the most valuable lessons Ariel learned early on was to approach challenges with a growth mindset.

“I came to understand that there really is no failure if you keep reflecting, reiterating, and trying to make something work as learning is limitless! I never expected I would know how to operate 3D printers or be able to run virtual workshops on how to use the Adobe suite. I realised how much I love problem-solving and how important creativity is to me.”

That passion for creativity has carried through to her personal life as well, inspiring her to create animation in her spare time under her art alias, Artelocat.

Her early teaching and facilitation experiences gave Ariel the tools to step naturally into a learning and development role. Breaking down complex concepts, engaging an audience, and creating environments where people felt supported all proved valuable skills for her current career.

Today, she works as a Learning and Development Advisor at Tonkin + Taylor. Her role is dynamic and varied, spanning everything from planning workshops and collaborating with subject matter experts, to creating e-learning modules, videos, and infographics, and managing the company's learning management system.

“I still love facilitating and creating a space for reflection and collaboration, but I also enjoy the creative side of my role - designing resources and thinking of ways to make content more relatable and interesting. For me, it’s a great balance between working directly with people and designing meaningful learning experiences.”

Looking back on her journey, Ariel encourages students to embrace the unexpected and trust in their own capabilities.

“Trust that you’re capable of anything. Choose a path - any path, so long as you can find meaning or value from it and commit to doing it well. By ‘doing it well,’ I mean engaging fully with the work, reflecting, seeking feedback, reiterating, and learning as you go. There’s always something to improve, and that’s an exciting opportunity waiting for someone to explore!”