For Angela (Angie) Rollison, the biggest challenge in her career to date wasn’t gaining experience—it was regaining belief in herself.
After decades of success leading programs and managing complex projects, she found herself in a workplace that struggled to recognise her value. Despite her expertise and formal qualifications, she remained in a position of vulnerability and questioning her capabilities.
As she struggled against organisational barriers and a dispirited work culture, she began to wonder if she was truly as competent as she once believed.
That’s when she turned to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Through Churchill Education, Angie gained two high-level qualifications: a Graduate Diploma of Portfolio Management and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership & Management.
But she also regained something even more important—her confidence and self-worth.
The Career Path: From Nanny to National Manager
Angie’s career began with dreams of travelling the world as a professional nanny. While she completed intensive training, life led her on a different path. She transitioned into administrative roles, then moved into retail, playing a key role in setting up one of the first Bunnings stores in Logan.
She quickly rose through the ranks, designing training programs and developing an interest in human behaviour and leadership.
Her next major career shift took her into healthcare, where she worked in mental health program management. From there, she advanced into state and national leadership roles in child safeguarding, overseeing training, policies, and large-scale program implementations. Despite her impressive career trajectory, she often faced the question: “What qualifications do you have?”
It was here, whilst working full-time in a leadership role in a small but national organisation, Angie took on her biggest challenge: she enrolled in a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Despite completing the qualification successfully, her role was made redundant, throwing her into self-doubt.
Angie took to contract work and landed work as a technical writer, policy development, which led to an offer in project management.
Discovering Churchill Education and the Power of RPL
“I was mentoring others through project management training, yet I had no formal project management qualification myself. It was only a matter of time before someone asked, ‘How are you qualified to do this?’” Angie recalls.
In 2019, Angie found Churchill Education. She reached out, hoping to turn her years of hands-on experience into formal qualifications.
“I picked up the phone and said, ‘This is what I’ve done. Can you help me?’” she remembers. “And they did. I submitted my evidence, and before I knew it, I had a Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820).”
The qualification was more than a certificate—it was validation. “At least now I could show current and potential employers that I wasn’t just talking the talk—I had the qualification to back it up,” she says.
A Crisis of Confidence and the Role of RPL in Rebuilding It
Years later, while establishing a Project Management Office (PMO) within an organisation, Angie faced an uphill battle. Despite her best efforts, a lack of knowledge, intramural indifference and very little executive support left her feeling undervalued and questioning her own capabilities.
“When you’re working so hard to build something and it keeps getting knocked back, you start to wonder, ‘Am I actually good at this?’” she shares.
Feeling disheartened, Angie reached out to Churchill Education again. This time, she worked with Ben, who guided her through the process of submitting evidence for a Graduate Diploma of Portfolio Management (BSB80220).
“When Ben called me with the results, he said, ‘You didn’t just pass—you excelled.’
I nearly cried. After months of feeling like I was failing, that validation was everything,” she says. “It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
She also qualified for an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB60420), further reinforcing her expertise.
The Impact of RPL on Angie’s Career
Receiving formal recognition for her skills gave Angie the confidence to make a major career decision—she resigned from her position to pursue new opportunities.
“I realised that if my organisation couldn’t see the value in my skills and abilities, I needed to go somewhere that would,” she explains.
Within weeks, Angie was shortlisted for two leadership roles.
She accepted a position as Strategy and Project Management Office (PMO) Manager at the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union—a move that aligns with her passion for meaningful work.
“I’ve always believed that the work I do has to make a difference. This new role allows me to contribute in a way that truly matters,” she says.
Advice for Others Considering RPL
For those feeling stuck in their careers or struggling with self-doubt, Angie offers simple but powerful advice:
“Take a step back and look at what you bring to the table. Truly understand your skills, abilities and knowledge. If your organisation isn’t recognising your worth, seek that validation elsewhere.
RPL gave me back my confidence—it can do the same for you.”
She adds, “When you’re deep in a difficult work environment, it’s easy to think the problem is you. But sometimes, you need an external perspective to remind you of your skills and value.”
Conclusion
Angie’s journey with RPL wasn’t just about getting a certificate—it was about reclaiming her sense of self-worth and making a bold career move.
That validation gave her the push she needed. No longer waiting for recognition from an organisation that wasn’t willing to see her value, she stepped into a leadership role where her skills are respected and her contributions matter.
Angie’s story isn’t just about qualifications—it’s about the power of believing in yourself again.
“This wasn’t just about a qualification—it was about proving to myself that I am capable, I am skilled, and I am worthy of the opportunities ahead.”
Are you ready to find out what qualifications are waiting for you? Apply for a free RPL appraisal here, or contact us via any of the options below.
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