At 67, Sorin Ionascu has lived a full and fabulous life. Born and raised in Romania, his career has taken him across continents, working as an electrical engineer, training professionals and embracing new cultures every step of the way.
After spending nine years living and working in Japan, Sorin returned to Australia at the end of 2024 ready for his next challenge. His resume boasts decades of experience, including work on nuclear power projects in Romania, a stint in France, working with the Citroen Romania Rally Racing Team and even building and racing a solar car from Darwin to Adelaide. Despite all this, re-entering the workforce as a mature-age jobseeker came with some uncertainty.
Rather than letting his age define his prospects, Sorin chose a different mindset. “You have to be positive,” he says. “If you say, ‘I’m too old’, then you stop before you even begin.”
Sorin initially explored pathways into teaching but quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit. With some reservations about re-entering the workforce, he approached the IntoJobs office in Frankston*, and credits Mobile Employment Consultant, Sharlene, for giving him the drive to persevere.
“After being unsuccessful with a few job applications, I was thinking ‘what am I doing? I can get a pension, my house is paid off, I can live reasonably well’, but the way Sharlene encouraged me – gently pushing me to try this and try that – she rekindled that flame. She reminded me that I might look old, but I don’t feel old. I have a few more working years ahead,” Sorin said.
Sharlene tailored her support to suit Sorin’s experience and strengths – reviewing his resume and cover letters, and broadening his focus to explore a range of opportunities.
It wasn’t long before Sorin was offered a role as a store person with Cool Drive Auto Parts in Blackburn. With ongoing post-placement support, he soon gained his forklift licence, improving his prospects for further career advancement.
For Sorin, work has never been just about a pay cheque. It’s about staying engaged, continuing to learn, and maintaining a sense of purpose. “I enjoy working with people from all sorts of backgrounds, it has become a social thing as well,” Sorin says. “I’m now working and talking with people from Africa, Greece, Asia, everywhere. It’s what makes things interesting. And I’m challenging myself all the time. I’m keeping the brains working. I think that’s very important.”
Outside of work, Sorin is now channeling his experiences into writing a book, hoping to capture the memories from the thousands of photos he took while living in Japan. He hopes this next chapter – and the people he meets along the way – will inspire a whole new story to tell.
* IntoJobs services in Victoria are delivered by Mas National, both part of the IntoWork Group.
