Interview with Hye-Jung Yang

Q. With your background in dog grooming, what brought you to Australia?
Since my early twenties, I had always vaguely wanted to visit Australia at least once. As I reached my mid-to-late twenties, I began thinking, “Maybe it’s time to seriously challenge myself.” Because of the age limit for the Working Holiday visa, it felt like my last opportunity.

At the time, I was working as a homeroom teacher at a specialized high school, teaching dog grooming. It was rewarding to teach students, but during the process of renewing my contract, I started to wonder whether I should prepare for a permanent teaching position or try living overseas.

I realized that if I didn’t take this chance now, I might never go. At the same time, I became curious about whether the dog grooming skills I learned in Korea could be applied overseas. That curiosity ultimately led me to take on this challenge.

Q. How did you first get into dog grooming?
My first major was actually in agriculture. Later I changed my field of study, and during that process I naturally began learning technical skills, which led me to dog grooming.

In Korea, I worked in grooming salons and later became a teacher, training students in the field. So I’ve experienced both the practical side of grooming and the educational side as well.

Q. Why did you choose Brisbane?
I considered several cities in Australia, but for me the weather was the most important factor.
I had heard Brisbane was sunny and warm, which is why I chose it.

But ironically, on my very first day it rained heavily and I was completely soaked. On the second day, I brought an umbrella after hearing it might rain again, but the wind was so strong that I still got drenched.
I remember thinking, “Well… Australia isn’t making this easy from the start.” (laughs)

Q. What differences did you notice between grooming in Australia and Korea?
One of the biggest differences was the size of the dogs. In Korea, most dogs are small breeds, but in Australia there are far more medium-to-large dogs. Their faces and bodies are much bigger, so it felt unfamiliar at first. Interestingly though, many of them are quite gentle in temperament.

Another difference is the working environment. Compared to Korea, the pace feels much more relaxed. Groomers are not assigned an excessive number of dogs, and sometimes the workday finishes around 2 p.m.
As a technician, this means less physical strain and a much better work-life balance.

Q. How was the process of finding a dog grooming job in Australia?
I think I was fortunate in many ways. When I wrote my resume, I described my experience and career in Korea in detail. I also organized photos of my grooming work on Instagram as a kind of portfolio.

My current boss, who is from South America, liked the work he saw there.
From my experience, if you have solid basic grooming skills, there are definitely opportunities.

Q. What is the most memorable experience you’ve had while working as a groomer?
Because we work with living animals, we always have to be extremely careful. Sometimes a dog’s nail might bleed during trimming, or a sensitive area could get a small cut while shaving.

Situations like that could easily lead to complaints, but there were times when my boss reassured me and said, “It’s okay, this happens.”

Another thing that impressed me—even outside of work—is Australia’s pet culture. In many local restaurants, you can see water bowls placed outside for dogs. People also freely walk their dogs in parks. Seeing that made me feel that Australia is truly a great environment for dogs to live in.

Q. You also share information about dog grooming on YouTube. What made you start?
When I was working as a teacher, I realized there wasn’t much information available for students who wanted to pursue careers with companion animals.
That’s why I started sharing information about overseas dog grooming jobs and my working holiday experience. I also wanted to encourage my former students in Korea to pursue their dreams and try new challenges.

Q. What are your future plans and goals in this field?
First, I’d like to obtain my second-year visa and gain experience in other cities like Melbourne or Sydney.
In the long term, I’m also thinking about the possibility of starting a pet-related business in Australia. I’d love to combine the skills and experience I gained in Korea with opportunities here.

Q. What would you say to people considering a working holiday in the pet industry?
I had many worries before coming to Australia, but once I arrived, I realized that my previous experience was actually a strength.

This doesn’t apply only to dog grooming—if you already have experience and basic skills in any field, the moment you start wondering, “Should I try it?” might actually be the moment of opportunity.

Especially for those with technical skills like dog grooming, it’s definitely worth trying.
Challenges ultimately expand your possibilities. And once you take that step, you realize it’s never “too late.”

To everyone reading this, I’d like to encourage you to try it at least once.

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