Sifa Saafi, numbers whiz and car critic

I’ve had pretty crappy jobs before. I was a young parent so I had to work to support my family while I was studying. 

I’ve been a scaffolder, a bartender, a cleaner and a wharfie because they had three shifts so you can study during the day and take a later shift at the wharf.

I really hated bartending. It’s awesome when it’s busy but when it's quiet there is nothing to do. Nothing. There are only so many glasses that need polishing! I learned that I hate not being busy.

Now I’m a senior analyst for a fleet leasing company. They gave me my first job when I graduated and I’m still there, 15 years later. I feel really grateful to be doing something I enjoy so much. It’s the numbers. I love making sense of numbers.

I also get to test drive all the new cars. I’m really into comparing cars. I love finding out what’s new and better, or if it's better. I sort of take it for granted but my neighbours go “what have you got this week” which reminds me I’m lucky. 

My job is pretty stressful but I got great advice from my dad. He always says “just keep moving forward” so I take one step at a time. If you look at the whole thing at the beginning it can seem overwhelming.  But if I keep moving forward and ticking stuff off then all of a sudden I’m on my last task for something that, three weeks ago, seemed like Mt Everest. 

To celebrate I take my family out. They know when I’m on these projects I’m a bit absent, even when I’m at home. It’s great to spend time with them when it’s finished.

The last time I finished a big project I took them for dinner at that bar I used to work at and it felt so good to see how far I’ve come from those days.

If I was to give any advice myself, it is just keep trying new things and taking up new challenges because you won’t know what your calling is until you find it.

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