60 seconds with Kirsty - your first contact at Astute

Here is the third instalment in our series which explores the life behind your Astute team members.  This week it's Kirsty Bryson's turn.  Kirsty has been with Astute for nearly 2 years and in the customer service industry all her working life.  We asked Kirsty a series of questions and here is what she had to say:

What is the thing you like most about your work?

Calling our clients to tell them they are approved and hearing their job, happiness and in some instances relief!

What makes you laugh?

I'm amused by almost everything; it makes life interesting.

What do you miss from your childhood?

The carefree nature of life.

What is the prettiest place you have been?

I really love the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley.  Anywhere that's peaceful, lush and serene I'll be happiest.

What was the last book you read?

The Blue Mountains 2013 bush fires recount by Gordon Pembleton.

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday?

Relaxing time with my boyfriend on our Saturdays together (when he's not working in the mines) and with my family and girlfriends. I also have a fishing addiction.

Who taught you to drive?

Mum taught me the tricky clutch part and Dad did the long drives to get my hours up.  I also had quite a few lessons because I was such a cautious driver!

How would your friends describe you?

Cautious and dependable.

What was your first job?

A swimming instructor.

How did you end up working in finance?

I was studying marketing at the time and got chatting to Mhairi who had a position open for an Admin assistant.  After working at Astute for a week my love and passion for finance grew fast!

What was your first car?

A bright red Daihatsu Charade hatchback.  I adored that car.

What was your favourite thing to do/or memory as a young child?

Weekends with my Nan and Pop.  We would watch Mr Bean, go for walks and fish, play Chinese Checkers and Pop would sneak us into the pool near their house.

If given complete freedom to start afresh, what profession would you choose and why?

I have always wanted to work with animals - Like a vet or RSPCA agent but I'm too much of a sook, I'd bring them all home!

Catch of the day!

So there you go - is there anything you'd like to ask?  Comment on this page or send us an email: info@astuteability.com.au.

Here's the second instalment in our series that gives you a bit of an insight into the team at Astute - this week it's Sue Wilson's turn.  She has been with Astute since 2008 and in the finance broker industry since 2004.  These are her responses to our questions:

What is the thing you like best about your work?

The variety of things we finance and types of people we deal with.

What makes you laugh?

My partner.

What do you miss from your childhood?

Someone else did the washing and the cooking.

What is the prettiest place you have been?

Anywhere on the Hawkesbury River.

What was the last book you read?

Jackie Collins' Goddess of Vengeance (again)

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday?

A sleep in, chill with a book then a meal with friends.

Who taught you to drive?

Do you mean bashing around the bush paddocks when I was 13 or officially when I was 16? First one was a friend of mine, second was my uncle who used to joke that he's had his "calm pills" before we took off.

How would your friends describe you?

Laid back - I've no idea why!

What was your first job?

McDonalds

How did you end up working in Finance?

A business colleague knew I was looking for a change and as he was in the process of losing a staff member he offered me the opportunity.

What was your first car?

A 1969 Corolla

What was your favourite thing to do/or memory as a young child?

Bike riding in the bush on the outskirts of town and not coming home till it was dark or we were hungry.

If given complete freedom to start afresh, what profession would you choose?

Architecture - has interested me since I was a kid when I got my first Lego set.