As a test officer at CHOICE I test a large range of home appliances in our labs, from espresso machines and kettles to vacuums, lawnmowers, pressure cleaners and more.
I love my work because it allows me to use a hands-on approach to learn about a large range of products in the Australian market, and also gives me a great insight into how products and their respective industries work. It can be difficult for consumers to get a good sense of a product (especially an expensive one) without trying it out or if they only have one or two others to compare it to. When you have the ability to compare 15–20 of the same product at one time, you gain a great insight into their development and the relationships between competing companies. I believe this information is critical for a fair review and to help people buy goods that are worth their price tag.
Before starting at CHOICE I studied agricultural science at the University of Sydney where I focused on plant genomics and molecular lab work. It was there that I learned my love of the scientific method and lab work, which is something I bring to my current role. It feels good to play a role in CHOICE's commitment to protect consumers and their rights.