Jaclyn Forder – Class of 2028

I was a student at Clonard starting in Year 7, back in 2013.  My high school experience was filled with many great memories, both with friends and academic opportunities. I was lucky enough to join a school trip to Santa Teresa and was always encouraged to take my interest seriously. 

By the time I started VCE, I remember being incredibly overwhelmed by all of the career pathways. I knew that Uni was on my radar but had no idea which courses would interest me or what direction I wanted to take. It was mostly by luck that I applied for Economics, which quickly became my favourite subject. Ms Chesson played a big role in this – her passion for teaching this subject was infectious and inspiring. The lessons felt integral to understanding how the world works, both professionally and personally. That same excitement for learning continued after I joined Business Management, and it became clear that a Business/Commerce course was the goal moving forward. Philosophy was another subject that, although challenging, was incredibly thought-provoking and helped shape who I am today.   

Once I had a clearer idea of what my future might look like, my final years at Clonard were filled with so much fun, growth, and support. I have a lot of appreciation for the girls in my friendship group, who taught me a lot about what being a good friend looks like and the importance of embracing every part of who you are. 

After exams, I took a one year break from studying, which I used to work and travel – a decision I’m very grateful for. By the time I started Uni, I felt ready and motivated to learn again. I studied Commerce at Deakin, majoring in Food and Agribusiness. Unfortunately, my tertiary studies occurred during COVID lockdowns, and so I missed out on some key Uni experiences. However, looking back now, I was able to use this time to understand myself more deeply, and explore what interests might lead to a career. It was during this time I found that supply chain and sustainability were of great interest to me, and so I began applying for jobs in this field.  

In 2023, I was fortunate enough to accept a job opportunity with Nissan Australia, which prompted me to move to Melbourne. I joined the Procurement Team in a graduate role, which turned out to be an incredible entry level position. Procurement functions at the core of the business, and so I was exposed to many different departments and responsibilities. We liaise closely with suppliers, internal stakeholders and legal teams. I am now a Procurement Specialist at Nissan, focussing on the Transport and Logistics category, which aligns with my long term goals of working in the supply chain. This role has given me many amazing opportunities, such as visiting warehouses both locally and overseas, and collaborating with senior stakeholders within the business, and joining Women in Automotive/Operations events. I am really passionate about my work and grateful to be part of such a supportive work culture.  

Looking back, I’m very thankful for my time at Clonard. The support from my teachers and classmates helped shape my confidence and develop my values, all of which play a big part in my career and life today.