Last month Ms O'Carroll topped the state twice, winning SBAT of the Year in the Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT Group Training Awards and in the NSW Training Awards.

Ms O'Carroll is also school captain at Bomaderry High, and has undertaken her HSC studies while completing a traineeship in the threatened species department at Shoalhaven City Council. She has also undertaken a number of environmental initiatives off her own bat.

"You can always spare 30 minutes or an hour to do something out of your down time," she said.

Those "somethings" include creating the Sustainable Schools Competition, helping injured wildlife during and after the bushfires, documenting fatalities and epicormic regrowth after fire, compiling data around weed invasion, feral predation, sedimentation of creeks, and species proliferation.

She also volunteers for National Parks and Wildlife, has spoken at Nowra's School Strike for Climate rally, is a joint recipient of the Victor Chang Science Award, and a participant in the Sonder Youth Leadership Program.

However, she was quick to credit her mother, family, friends, colleagues and school for supporting her to achieve her goals.

Cassandra said growing up near the Morton National Park fostered her passion for the environment.

She highly recommended VET as it boosts employability and gives you practical training. Being an advocate for the natural environment will be her top priority after leaving high school.