RMIT was the first step in a career path that has taken Emily Edgeley through a varied career in the tech industry. With an avid interest in maths, she studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Mathematics) and this led to an interest in cryptography.
“That seemed so cool at the time, so I decided to do a master's in information security,” Emily explained. “It seemed like the best way to apply the skills I’d learnt in my maths degree, and it had quite exciting job prospects.”
After completing the Master of Applied Science (Information Security and Assurance), she spent more than 10 years in the cyber security industry and during that time struggled with presentations.
Conquering these challenges, Emily decided to leave the corporate world and start her own public speaking coaching business to share her insights with others.
“I help people in tech to communicate with more clarity, impact and confidence,” she said.
“That could be helping someone to feel better about delivering a presentation to a small group at work or speaking on a stage to hundreds or thousands. Or running a workshop to teach engineers how to use the art of storytelling to better communicate what they do to people in the business.”
Her business has flourished, with Emily leading more than 300 group coaching sessions and more than 250 private sessions.
Emily’s words of advice to anyone confronted by the thought of public speaking is to think positively.
“Replace any negative thoughts or worries with positive ones,” she said.
“Give yourself the pep talk you would give to your best friend if they were standing up there speaking. Remember you’re in control of your own thoughts.”
