My Four Days at Larita Academy: A Work Experience Diary

I never imagined I’d get to do my first work experience at Larita Academy. At first I hesitated to ask. I thought, what if they can say no? But I decided to be brave. I reached out, Anita replied warmly, and before I knew it Jen and Annelise had set up a full placement. That one email changed everything.

Day One: Starting Out

I woke up at 5:30 AM buzzing with nerves and excitement. By the time I arrived at the Larita office, I was greeted with coffee and kindness from Jen and Annelise. The morning was full of introductions, an office tour, and my very first HR induction. I even had the chance to dive into admin and social media tasks.

“Confidence grows the moment you step out of your comfort zone.”

It quickly became clear how much teamwork and planning happens behind the scenes. That first day taught me that confidence grows the moment you step out of your comfort zone.

Day Two: Thinking Big

I was invited to Strategy Day with the team. Sitting at the table as Anita and Jen mapped out the future of Larita was eye-opening. They spoke about partnerships, alumni programs, employment pathways, and funding. I learned new words like KPIs and MOUs and saw how every decision links back to impact for young people.

“Strategy is not about one person having the answers. It is about building ideas together.”

What struck me most was how much listening and collaboration goes into leadership. It isn’t about one person having the answers. It’s about building ideas together.

Day Three: Behind the Curtain

On this day I shadowed Samantha and Grace, who support Larita’s leaders. From booking flights and event tickets to preparing boardrooms, their roles were full of detail and trust. Watching them juggle tasks taught me how much care goes into making sure everything runs smoothly.

“Leadership is not only about those in the spotlight. It is also about the people who make sure the spotlight works.”

Leadership, I realised, is not only about those in the spotlight. It is also about the people who make sure the spotlight works.

Day Four: Lessons for Life

The final day brought something I’ll never forget. I had a one-on-one chat with Larita’s co-founder, Larry Kestelman. His advice was simple but powerful:

“Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. If they do, prove them wrong. And whatever you do, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Just start.”

He encouraged me to study psychology, law, and accounting, and to treat every job as a learning opportunity. Later that day I joined the Advisory Working Group meeting, where sector leaders discussed youth programs and Larita’s future. I even introduced myself to the group, which felt like a huge step.

“Every job is a chance to learn if you pay attention and ask questions.”

What I’m Taking With Me

In just four days I gained new skills, fresh confidence, and a real understanding of what it means to work in a purpose-driven organisation. From big strategy sessions to small details like preparing meetings, every experience mattered. Most of all, I learned that bravery begins with one small step. Asking the question, even when you think they can say no, can lead to something life-changing.

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