51 minute read
In-house and corporate
Overview
It’s one of the age-old career questions – should I work in-house or in professional services?
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Unlike professional service firms who work for a variety of clients, working in-house means you are responsible only to a specific organisation. You may work anywhere from a mining company to an insurer or a hotel chain The organisation may be a global, ASX-listed corporate or a private Australia-focused organisation
Deciding whether to work in-house or in professional services is a relevant question for almost all specialisations Whether accounting, marketing, operations or supply chain, there are typically advisory or consulting services for most specialisations
Working in-house has the benefit of getting to work at an organisation in a much deeper way Unlike professional services, which provide recommendations to an organisation, being in-house allows you to be more hands on and bring strategies to life by actually implementing them Being a part of this journey can be immensely satisfying
Entering the in-house and corporate sector
Most larger corporates have official graduate programs These include Qantas, Woolworths, Coles, Rio Tinto, Shell and Telstra Graduate programs may take up to two years to complete and typically involve rotations throughout different departments, depending on your specialisation
Being selected for these graduate programs is competitive Large organisations typically recruit candidates who can demonstrate competence in their specialisation through university grades or extracurricular activities and an openness to learning
While other organisations may not have an official graduate program, they may still have in-house positions available to graduates This will depend on the organisation itself – they may rely on word of mouth rather than formally advertise, or perhaps only run graduate recruitment programs as required and not every year Regardless, you may want to widen your graduate job search beyond the well known brands and reach out to smaller organisations to see if there is any availability in your specialisation The value of prior experience can’t be overstated Employers look very favourably on graduates who have sought out internships or other forms of practical exposure to the business world
What’s involved?
As there are many specialisations in the business world, from human resources to marketing to accounting and finance, the type of in-house work you do on a regular basis will vary greatly depending on your chosen specialisation
For example, you may work at a large supermarket retailer in operations and supply chain This may mean travelling to visit key suppliers or distribution centres to observe, analyse and improve processes Alternatively, you may be working in the accounting and finance department of a retail bank. You will likely be stationed at the head office with little need for travel. Your days may be filled with analysing and interpreting data, developing financial reports or managing budgets
Despite what your specialisation might be, you will find working in-house allows you to get up close and personal with the organisation you are working for You will learn about its business goals, strategies, aspirations and liabilities You will have the opportunity to really hone your understanding of how a business works and how your specialisation plays a role within it
If you work at an organisation that has multiple offices, you may also have the opportunity to transfer internationally or interstate This can be a great way to extend your career by learning how to work in a new environment or culture
Best and worst
An oft-cited benefit of working in-house is that you generally enjoy more regular working hours than those in professional services This is because unlike professional services, who are expected to drop everything to service a client request as soon as it comes in, working in-house means your employer and fellow colleagues are the client! You typically get to set the deadlines and timing (depending on your seniority, of course) Moreover, the hours you work aren’t billable like those in professional services, and as such there
The Kraft Heinz graduate program is aimed at those aspiring to be a “CEO, CFO, Zone President or beyond.” This grad program involves an intensive leadership program. One designed for “top talent who seek a performance-based culture built on meritocracy.
The value of prior experience can’t be overstated. Employers look very favourably on graduates who have sought out internships or other forms of practical exposure to the business world.
is less urgency in being held to account as to how you spend your time
Of course, this doesn’t mean working in-house is a ‘cruisy’ gig. You may nonetheless find yourself working unusual hours, if say, you are dealing with international stakeholders and must accommodate various time zones or meet a strict deadline
Unlike professional service firms, which are usually engaged for a specific project before moving on to the next thing, working in-house means overseeing a project or area for a longer period of time This can be a highly rewarding experience!
The potential downside of working in-house is that it can be difficult to switch over to professional services. Those in professional services are trained in a specific way that is difficult for ‘outsiders’ to learn without first having to take a backwards step. Also, compared to professional services, you may find that in-house opportunities are not as lucrative as say, management consulting or investment banking
Career progression
A typical career path for those working in-house is to climb the corporate ladder Essentially, this means progressing upwards through your organisation to eventually become the head of a division or department, or even a member of the ‘C-suite’, such as chief executive officer or chief financial officer. The path to the top can be a challenging one and can demand long hours and real commitment You will typically find the journey competitive and at times, more about politics than merit Having said that, this can be an exciting progression and seeing your upwards movement can be very satisfying
Depending on your specialisation, you will also find you can move to different organisations or even geographic locations reasonably easily, provided you have a record of good performance To keep your competitive edge, it is important that you continually look for ways to keep learning and improving your skill set, particularly in areas of new technology
Employer examples:
■ Insurance companies ■ Telecommunications companies ■ Retail and supermarket chains ■ Manufacturing companies ■ Recruitment agencies ■ Technology and software companies ■ Investment companies
Choose this if you:
■ Love a specific industry or organisation ■ Would like to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise within a particular sector ■ Are looking for a solid career path
On the job
Jack Marshall
What does your employer do?
Alcoa is a multinational corporation with its headquarters in the US Its Australian operations represent some of the company’s best assets These include two bauxite mines and three alumina refineries in Western Australia and an aluminum smelter in Victoria Without realising, we all use products containing aluminum every day, such as Coke cans, aeroplane parts and beer kegs It can also be limitlessly recycled, making it a very unique and sustainable metal
What are your areas of responsibility?
As a finance graduate, I will have the opportunity over the three-year graduate program to work across multiple areas of the business I’m currently in my second month and have taken on the role of the Portland cost analyst This role works closely with the aluminum smelter in Portland So far I have learnt to use various new software programs that I didn’t know existed two months ago and am slowly becoming an Excel expert My role includes preparing various journals and reconciliations whilst still interacting with people around the business
Can you describe a typical work day?
I start my day by checking emails to see if there’s anything of a high priority to attend to Because I work closely with Portland who are two to three hours ahead of Perth and WA’s regional office, by the time I start my day I may already have tasks of a high priority to complete In my current role, I have tasks that have to be completed by certain dates, such as posting a journal of an invoice from Telstra, organising a meeting to discuss projects that have exceeded their anticipated budget and reconciling various accounts At the end of the day I write down any important tasks to be done tomorrow I usually work from 830 am–500 pm
What do you love the most about your job?
At the moment I learn something new every day at Alcoa, which continues to broaden my skill set moving forward I enjoy working as part of a team and am fortunate to have very intelligent colleagues who I can learn a lot from I also have multiple opportunities coming up, such as visiting a mine site and refinery to learn more about the business and to see what really powers Alcoa behind the scenes
What advice would you give to a current university student?
Enjoy yourself University days are some of the best of your life and you won’t realise how good they were until they run out Looking back on my time at university, I wish I had gotten to know more people and tried new things while I had the time So, make the most of every day and get involved in as many different things as you can
Find out more
wwwgradaustraliacomau
Jack Marshall studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting, Tax) and is a finance graduate at ALCOA.
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Finance graduate, ALCOA
Make the most of every day and get involved in as many different things as you can.
On the job
Kaushal Kulkarni
How did you land at Carlton & United Breweries (CUB)?
At university, a friend of mine completed CUB’s internship program and had nothing but good things to say, so I was keen to apply for the graduate program CUB’s graduate management trainee (GMT) program stood out the most, with its cross-functional rotations and global exposure Fast forward a year and a half, I’ve now finished the GMT program and have started my new role as a team leader on one of the bottling lines at our Abbotsford brewery
I chose the GMT program specifically because of the breadth of projects I would have the opportunity to take part in It had the right balance of a technical immersion at one of our leading breweries, and business projects in sales, marketing and finance based at our head office.
In retrospect, this was the perfect way to get started at CUB I developed my understanding in every function of the business, grew my network and had fantastic exposure to the CUB leadership team as well I couldn’t have asked for more By the end of the ten-month program, I could make a well informed decision about where I wanted to start my career
What are your responsibilities?
As a team leader on our bottling line, I’m responsible for production, safety, quality and managing a team of operators and tradespeople on a shift basis Every day brings its own unique challenges and it’s up to me to tackle problems as they come and make the right decisions at the right time
Can you describe a typical day?
On the bottling line, the end-toend process of filling bottles with beer or cider, pasteurisation, labelling and then the packaging of bottles into six-packs and cases, takes place I’m responsible for adhering to our production schedule, all aspects of safety and quality, and managing a team of operators and tradespeople Working on a shift basis means I rotate between three shifts every week
I typically start the shift by receiving an update from the previous shift’s team leader on how we’re tracking productionwise and if there are any safety or quality-related concerns I should be aware of I then run a daily meeting with my team of operators and tradespeople I start off by mentioning any safety callouts and give them an update of our production schedule and goals for the day As the day continues, I keep a close eye on our production efficiencies and address any breakdowns of our packaging machinery I also complete a full walk of the line, talking to everyone in the team about how their machinery is functioning, providing opportunity for them to raise any other callouts they may have
By the end of the shift I prepare a report summarising our production goals, safety or quality concerns, and any technical challenges we may have faced, ready to hand over to the next shift
Kaushal Kulkarni studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)/Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and is a packaging team leader at Carlton & United Breweries.
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I developed my understanding in every function of the business, grew my network and had fantastic exposure to the CUB leadership team as well. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Day in the life
Anthea Tsaousis
5.30 AM
The alarm goes off to the tune of Dean Martin’s rendition of Volare so I can pretend I am waking up in Italy After quickly realising I am in my humble Melbourne surrounds, it’s a quick brush of the teeth and into my yoga gear to head to my 600 am yoga class
5.50 AM
As soon as I arrive at yoga, it’s a quick skull of a hot turmeric and ginger tea to formally wake me up from my slumber, then I zone in to the next 60 minutes of class
7.10 AM
Arrive home and sprint to the shower I get ready whilst listening to ABC radio to stay in touch with the news Once the armour is on for the day, I have a piccolo coffee before heading out the door and walking to the station
7.54 AM
The train ride commute begins In all millennial glory, I skid between the socials and absorb the content of my friends and foodie influencers.
8.45 AM
Arrive at work, set up the computer and eagerly head to our barista machine with my fellow coffee addicts, to make myself a second piccolo It’s only after this coffee that I can embrace the day
9.00 AM
Double-check today’s calendar and catch up on emails
9.30 AM
The first of many meetings for the day begins – either a meeting with a food supplier or with the team, covering all topics from new products, pricing, upcoming promotions and product placement I sit within the retail convenience trading: the team that buys everything you see inside our retail stores Our days are filled with meetings with suppliers or within our teams, to continually optimise our offer and grow sales
12.00 PM
Lunch with my fellow or ex-graduates If I’m lucky, I’ll be devouring homemade leftovers from the night before But if it’s ‘one of those days’, I’ll be vacantly munching on tuna on toast …with serious food envy
1.00 PM
Sitting in the food and coffee team, a product verification will likely take place in the afternoon If I’m lucky, I will be tasting and critiquing something sweet and curing my post-lunch sugar craving I promise this IS serious work (and extremely fun, just not for the waistline …) Sometimes these products fit in with our strategy and NPD pipeline, but other times, we are tasting purely to provide supplier feedback If we like the product, this will kick off a whole journey of product iteration, cooking program verification, shelf-life testing and commercial decisions relating to price, store ranging, forecasting and promotional support
3.00 PM
It’s time for my third piccolo Yes I drink three coffees a day Totally normal Totally healthy
Anthea Tsaousis studied a Diploma in Languages (French) and Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing, Finance). Anthea is a category lead 2GO & Restaurant at BP.
4.30 PM
Head back to the desk to see what email traffic has erupted throughout the course of the day and respond to urgent emails
6.00 PM
The train ride home If I’m lucky, I’ll get a seat and can read a story on my Kindle It will either be a sappy romance or a suspense thriller
7.30 PM
I sit down to eat a delicious homecooked meal with my family
8.30 PM
Unashamedly watch trashy reality TV – along the lines of Married at First Sight, Love is Blind or Love Island Truly the perfect detox for a busy day!
10.00 PM
My bed is calling my name Night!
We’re looking for talented, driven and customer savvy graduates who not only want to understand the problems of tomorrow but be part of the solution!
Day in the life
Stephanie Briggs
6.00 AM
My alarm jolts me from a deep, restful sleep I quickly get dressed and head off to the gym
7.00 AM
My gym class has finished. I jump in the car and head straight to work Being able to shower and change at work is a huge help as it means I can get into the office before traffic gets too bad.
8.00 AM
I’m finally at my desk. I always start by checking how the prior day of trade went I like to keep a pulse on how the business is trading, as it gives context to just about everything we do I jump into my emails and then spend five or ten minutes on arguably the most important part of my day: prioritising
8.30 AM
Coffee time Sometimes I go with my direct team, however today I use the time to catch up with my prior manager and teammate Time spent over coffee is invaluable in getting up to speed on what is going on around the business, while also maintaining important relationships I have built
9.00 AM
I try and use my mornings for ‘quick wins’, as I find the morning is when I’m most productive I try and focus on key tasks and tick them off my to-do list I put together a slide for a deck going to the senior leadership team (tick), send off an email with recommendations on promotional planning for the beer category (tick) and make a phone call to the events team to confirm our finance graduate morning tea is organised (tick)
10.30 AM
Mid-morning is usually a key time for meetings! Today we have our monthly knowledge-
Stephanie Briggs studied a Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy) and is a finance graduate at Coles.
sharing session In these sessions someone from the liquor finance team will give a rundown of a topic that they consider themselves to be a subject matter expert in This helps to upskill the remainder of the team As I have recently rotated into the liquor finance team, these sessions are a great way to expand my knowledge Last month we did a deep-dive into how to best assess supplier
performance and today we are tackling our finance systems.
12.00 PM
As soon as it ticks over to lunchtime it’s straight to ‘The Hub’ – the centre of our thriving building where there are plenty of options on offer for lunch, as well as plenty of familiar faces to sit and chat with If the weather permits, I grab a few graduates and venture for a walk along the creek
1.00 PM
I’m back at my desk In the afternoon, I usually try to get stuck into bigger pieces of work that are more closely aligned to long-term strategic objectives of the business I spend a few hours meeting with business stakeholders to discuss capital investment plans for the future As the finance voice in the room I provide a healthy challenge to their forecasted planned spend
3.30 PM
Trivia time! Every Friday our team huddles together and focuses our brain power on something completely detached from our work We take it in turns hosting, but as today isn’t my turn I settle in with a pen and paper and get my head in the game It is a great way to get to know each other better in a casual environment before going back to work with a fresh set of eyes
3.45 PM
It’s time to put some energy into the other element of my job, which is business partnering I sit with the liquor private label team and help them to work through the commercial impacts of the new and innovative products they are planning to launch I assist with their forecasting of future supplier commitments and together we identify where the biggest market opportunities exist
5.15 PM
I head back to my desk and jot down my notes from the day, adding unfinished tasks to tomorrow’s to-do list
6:00 PM
I finally get home and have time to walk my dog When I’ve had a busy day, being able to walk and clear my head is exactly the wind down that I need to be ready to come home and engage with my family
7.00 PM
I have a little left in the tank, so I go through my Chartered Accounting coursework I try and do a little bit each week as it helps to reduce the stress close to exam time There are a few other finance graduates taking the same subject, so if I have any questions we work through it together
7.45 PM
Finally, it’s relaxation and family time
9.30 PM
It’s getting late so I start to wind down The general manager of our team has suggested I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, so I open that and give myself some much needed time away from technology
On the job
Harrison Power
How did you get to your current job position?
In my final year of university I found out about L’Oréal’s marketing graduate program through a careers fair and GradAustralia This program was exactly what I wanted to do after university as it combines hands-on experience with formalised training to develop the skills needed for marketing management
How did you choose your specialisation?
I chose to embark on a career in marketing as it allows me to utilise the business acumen developed through a commerce degree as well as the creative and communication skills developed through studying fine arts. I had completed a marketing internship that I really enjoyed earlier, which reinforced that this was the career path for me Beyond this, I’m passionate about using my career to have a positive impact on society, which L’Oréal definitely offers!
What was your interview process like?
The recruitment process involved an online application, online test, video interview, group assessment centre, individual assessment, an interview with HR and a final interview with a general manager I was asked about my previous work experience, situational questions, life experiences, my personality, and my values and ambitions
What does your employer do?
L’Oréal is the number one beauty company in the world and it creates and distributes beauty products that help customers feel their best As a marketer, I am responsible for driving the growth of the brand I am working on This involves analysing the market, using that information to develop a strategic marketing plan, briefing in agencies to bring campaigns to life and working with multiple other functions such as finance, supply chain and sales to ensure our products are available
What was the last thing you worked on?
No two days are the same at L’Oréal, which makes the job great fun! I’m currently working on executing the digital campaign for our newest fragrance launch and growing our ecommerce business
What are the career prospects with your job?
Most marketing graduates roll off the program as an assistant brand manager From there it is a very clear career path that leads to anything from marketing manager, general manager to country manager However, as careers are changing, there are more opportunities to jump from marketing to digital, sales or commercial and still drive your career in the same direction Also, moving overseas is always encouraged when working for an international company!
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely Our management trainees come from varying disciplines As long as you are a strong collaborator, passionate about making great work and willing to learn the industry while being innovative and entrepreneurial, you could embark on this career with a specific background.
What do you love the most about your job?
I love working with lots of passionate and intelligent people Collaborating and seeing your work come to life is the most enjoyable part of this job
Harrison Power studied a Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Fine Arts and is a management trainee in Marketing at L’Oreal.
Study
Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales, 2019
ROLE
Management trainee, Marketing, L’Oreal
Most marketing graduates roll off the program as an assistant brand manager.
On the job
What is your job title?
Operations manager
What does your role involve?
I am currently working within the Mainfreight air & ocean division My area of responsibility is in the field of branch operations and my focus is to build and develop our import sea freight product My daily work consists of directly managing the sea freight imports team My role also consists of supporting the Sydney air & ocean branch manager to ensure the branch runs smoothly and without any issues
What’s your background?
Born in South Korea, my family relocated to the Gold Coast, QLD where I completed my schooling I moved to Sydney straight after high school to start my degree in political science at the University of Sydney During my penultimate year I came across Mainfreight during a project I was working on as a research intern at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. Shortly after the internship concluded I actively applied for the Mainfreight Graduate Program I have recently hit my three-year mark with the business and have been in my current role for the last five months. Prior to becoming the operations manager, I held the team leader role for our data & compliance division and customer service department
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes, definitely. Mainfreight is a company that looks towards the next 100 years We are willing to invest the time to train and develop new team members who are committed to embodying the Mainfreight culture and philosophy
What do you love about your job?
One of the amazing things about the freight forwarding industry is the complexity of the supply chain! I love working with new customers and seeing their goods move from one point to another so seamlessly One of the coolest things about my role is that I get to work with so many different team members locally, nationally and even across the globe
Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student?
■ Back yourself ■ Never say ‘no’ to an opportunity just because you feel unprepared ■ Hearing ‘no’ or getting knocked back isn’t always a bad thing
These things are so important At times I have felt I am not prepared enough for an opportunity or that someone else would be more suited However, I always put my hand up anyway It’s not always about being the best or the most prepared; if you want something enough you will do whatever it takes to succeed
Steven Hong
Steven Hong studied a Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences and is an operations manager at Mainfreight.
Study
Bachelor of Political, Economic and Social Sciences, University of Sydney, 2016
ROLE
Operations manager, Mainfreight
We are willing to invest the time to train and develop new team members who are committed to embodying the Mainfreight culture and philosophy.
Day in the life
Tori Clutton
6.00 AM
As my alarm goes off and I begin getting ready for the day ahead, I start to think of all the tasks I plan to get done
I did a good job ‘switching off’ last night, assuring myself that I’d action anything urgent first thing and instead enjoy some quality time with my housemates (with a side of red wine and trashy TV!)
7.30 AM
I must admit: I’m a morning person My output is of a higher quality in the first half of the day, so I arrive at the office at 7.30 am, coffee in hand and ready to tackle the day
First things first, I sort through my emails, prioritising tasks and being sure to check my calendar for daily meetings or deadlines This is a habit I’ve worked hard to create since moving across from sales to marketing, as it helps me feel in control of my time and ensures I am always where I need to be in terms of hitting project milestones and so on
Speaking of, my phone rings for what will be the first of many calls for the day It’s a peer from my old team I preempt he is calling to see how my new role is going, but alas, he wants an update on his in-store point of sale order We are a close team, which I love about the Cabot’s business, so I am more than happy to jump on the phone and get the information he needs
Tori Clutton studied a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) and is an assistant brand manager at Cabot’s, DuluxGroup.
8.30 AM
As the rest of my team arrive at the office, we jump into some back and forth conversation about fun project names for a new product I am working on We narrow it down to three so I pop into our channel
business manager’s office to let her choose the winner
8.45 AM
It’s time to knuckle down and make some headway on the organisation of our biggest customer event: the Bunnings Expo I’ve got several suppliers who have pitched to build our stand and their concepts are incredibly creative I analyse the concepts in relation to our brands, the brief and the nature of the event, then collate some notes and organise a team meeting to discuss and bring key stakeholders on the journey It’s important I keep referring to my timeline to ensure I am on track with lead times
10.30 AM
The clock hits 1030 am and it’s time for a project team meeting with our research and development team and my colleagues from the Timber Studio We are trialling some new products, so I change into an older t-shirt and some safety boots, and pop over to our lab
12.30 PM
Before I know it, lunch time hits and my team gathers around our common table to do today’s quiz I spend my entire lunch time laughing at the banter and trying to have some input into the quiz It’s no surprise I’m the ‘go-to’ for any reality TV related questions! I’m not sure that’s a good thing
1.20 PM
Meeting number two for the day involves training for some internal systems that are vital to my role Being the perfect time for a second coffee, I duck downstairs to the cafe before the meeting starts
2.00 PM
I have an hour before meeting number three It’s the perfect time to log on and complete an audit of our woodcare marketing collateral, ordering any low stock items so the sales team are fully equipped to sell to, and merchandise their stores
We have hundreds of items, so I only get through about a quarter before it’s time to head down to level one and meet with our procurement team
3.00 PM
My meeting goes well Our fantastic procurement team update me on packaging for my new product and I’m very content with the progress we are making While I’m on level one, I pop over to my friend from the graduate program’s desk to say ‘hello’ and see what she’s working on Sometimes these chats can inspire an idea or action for my team – today it was just nice to touch base!
3.50 PM
I’m feeling eager, so I take the stairs back up to level three As I reach my level, I’m out of breath but just catch our trade, industrial and global business manager walking out the door We have a quick chat and I update her on some work I am doing for our trade business before heading back to my desk I book a meeting time with her for next week so we can elaborate on our ‘elevator chat’ without time pressure
4.00 PM
Finally I am back at my desk and able to action some email items and return a couple of phone calls to our sales team, before finishing up for the day and heading to the gym
4.30 PM
As I drive out of the office I reflect on my day and the number of people I collaborated with, in addition to the variety of projects I am currently working on It sounds clichéd, but no two days are the same in this role!
Day in the life
Justin Baldori
5.30 AM
I love getting up and starting the day off right, so I chug my espresso and make my way to the gym
7.30 AM
I’ve got my routine down, partly because of my non-iron shirts (whoever invented these needs a medal) Within 30 minutes I’m en route to the train station I make the most of the 30-minute commute and listen to podcasts, mostly The Joe Rogan Experience or one of my investing poddies
8.30 AM
Touchdown I unload my lunch, grab my laptop out of my locker and find a seat. At Jetstar we hot desk, which makes it fun and exciting to sit next to new colleagues and get a different view of the office each day I check any emails that have landed in my inbox overnight At Jetstar, no two days are the same and no matter how well you plan the day before, it can change in two seconds That’s the reality of working for an airline; the fast-paced nature keeps you on your toes
9.00 AM
One great thing about the office in Collingwood is the abundance of coffee My mate Tom and I walk to a spot just around the corner
9.15 AM
We have our daily team stand-up This is my fourth rotation and I am working in the airport customer experience team (ACE), where I look at different initiatives that can make the customer’s journey easier at the airport I give a quick update on my project as I am
Justin Baldori studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance, Business Analytics) and is a finance graduate at Jetstar.
heading to Singapore in two weeks to launch a trial at Changi Airport in conjunction with Jetstar Asia and Changi Airport Group Pretty cool stuff and I’ll fill you in later in the day
9.30 AM
Part of this project requires me to conduct a risk assessment
session and facilitate the change through our change management system I need to do a little bit more work before I catch up with the department heads to review and approve the trial This is time consuming as I am still learning the ropes, so I have to go back and forth with the safety team to ensure I have done this correctly For me, this is the least sexy part of a project, but it is the most vital
The best thing about conducting a change like this is the engagement with stakeholders across the business There is no hierarchy, so everyone is very approachable and loves to help This is why I love being a graduate, because you aren’t a graduate Instead you are a part of a team; a team that is not only your immediate team but the wider Jetstar business With no barriers it makes updating my change a breeze and I’ve met some new people along the way (#networking)
12.00 PM
I round up a few graduates and we catch up in the new kitchen Our cohort is very close and we always try to grab lunch together
12.30 PM
After lunch, it’s time for my next meeting This time I’m on a Skype call with a colleague in Jetstar Asia to discuss the project launch in a couple of weeks We are implementing new bag tags at Changi Airport that customers can try out; they are self-adhesive so in theory should be faster, easier and less wasteful than the current bag tag This is what we will be testing for It may not sound like much, but the fact that customers may be able to tag their bag in a few seconds is very promising for the customer journey
1.30 PM
A stock standard part of running a project is writing the minutes This is a headphone task, so on goes the podcast
3.00 PM
My brain needs a break Here at the office we have a table tennis table, which we use to free our mind up a little bit
3.30 PM
I’m feeling refreshed and this is good because I have some analysis coming up Another stellar thing about the graduate program is the diverse work you do I joined the program as a finance graduate so working in a project role in the operations team is the polar opposite However, the graduate program allows you to try things you would never thought were possible Over my last three rotations I have worked in both commercial and operational departments, including finance, operations control, marketing analytics and now airport customer experience If you said to me two years ago I would be working in operations for an airline, I’d tell you that you were mad! But I love it The variety of work is amazing and I thrive off stepping outside my comfort zone and trying new things
Anyway, it’s data time My task is to understand various online check-in streams and the performance over the last six months With the data analysis skills I have developed as well as the professional relationships I have built, I am able to source data and build a model that my manager will use to present to the wider team Pretty cool stuff
5.30 PM
I make a quick to-do list for tomorrow and head off Headphones in, podcasts loud and clear
Day in the life
5.30 AM
After snoozing the alarm a few too many times, it’s time to jump out of bed, throw on some gym attire and drag myself to the gym for a quick workout There’s no better way to wake up the body and mind ahead of a big day at work!
7.45 AM
After a good gym session, a quick breakfast and a shower, I begin the journey to Southbank This typically involves a 30-minute commute via train, where I pop in some headphones and listen to a great podcast or playlist to set my mood for the day I also take a quick moment to review my calendar, to make sure I am aware of all my appointments and I don’t miss anything (also taking note of every available coffee break!)
8.30 AM
Following a quick walk from Flinders Street Station, I arrive at the office. After stopping at almost every floor on the way, the elevator doors open to level 27 I drop my lunch in the fridge and set up at my desk As a daily ritual, another graduate and I meet for a quick chat and coffee run each morning It’s impossible to start the day’s activities without a good cup of coffee!
9.00 AM
My day begins Following up with suppliers, and processing shed orders and invoices are this morning’s jobs – essential tasks to ensure that everything runs smoothly throughout our key activation periods! This encompasses designing, producing and delivering all point of sale material across the country, such as posters, towers, brochures and wobblers I am currently in the process of collating information for our winter trade presenters, so I use
Leeyarna Kanniappan
Leeyarna Kanniappan studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics)/Bachelor of Science (Physiology) and is a field sales graduate at Kraft Heinz.
this time to gather the final pieces to ensure our reps have all the important information to provide to their store managers ahead of our winter campaign
10.00 AM
Today, we hold our all hands sales meeting: a monthly meeting with
the entire Kraft Heinz Australia sales department Here, our head of sales presents the past month’s national sales numbers and sets the objectives and goals for the month ahead We also receive important information from our account managers regarding upcoming activations, new product launches and strategic direction for the upcoming month across a range of key categories This month, there is a strong focus on our soup and gravy portfolio This is a great opportunity to make sure we all aligned and working toward making this winter as successful as possible across our Heinz and Gravox products
12.00 PM
As the clock ticks over to midday, it’s time for lunch! I use this time to catch up with my fellow graduates and enjoy some time out of the office We typically find a nice spot outside or enjoy a short walk (usually in search of the newest Butterbing cookie flavours), before heading back upstairs
1.00 PM
Arriving back at the office, I head straight into our weekly national cascade call with our five state leads Here we discuss the previous week’s retail sales performance and brainstorm action plans to close any gaps This is also the time where we discuss key events for the week, notify the team of any important information and answer pressing questions or concerns from those who represent our brand in-store This information is then filtered down to state level to ensure that each member of the team is briefed and on the same page about the week’s activities
2.00 PM
As it is the start of the month, I join a meeting with the national account executives to discuss this month’s priorities and any support required in terms of point of sale This is critical information as it is often the crux of the brief I provide suppliers, to ensure we are generating as much value in store as possible!
3.00 PM
I head out with a field sales representative and make sure our promotions and sales activations in store are in place This is a great break from the back-toback meetings from earlier today It’s always insightful to be out in the retail space so we can understand what customers are looking for and find ways to add value
5.00 PM
Once all the work set out for the day is complete, I typically wrap up by writing a to-do list for the day ahead This ensures I can switch off for the night knowing what tomorrow is going to look like I then enjoy some fresh air on the walk back to Flinders Street Station, to begin the journey home
6.00 PM
Arriving home, I enjoy a nice evening walk to wind down from a busy, information-heavy day, before preparing a quick dinner and settling down on the couch to enjoy a few episodes of a bingeworthy TV show (at the moment, it’s Fleabag!) Tomorrow, I will be out in the field with a sales representative who will take me through their territory, visiting key stores that are participating in our current campaigns This is a fantastic way to see how our products ultimately make it into stores! It’s time to get a good rest before a busy day on my feet building displays and activations
Day in the life
Heidi Van Der Griend
7.30 AM
I usually start my mornings with some breakfast before I get dressed I quickly check my meetings for the day in order to determine what I should wear Smart casual is my go-to
8.00 AM
Time to head into the office. I catch the train, then go for a lovely stroll to the building Meltwater is a flexible workspace, and my team generally arrives in the next half hour. But first: coffee!
8.30 AM
I get things ready for the day ahead, checking my meetings and looking at the agenda in order to organise my time
8.45 AM
It’s time for our team’s board update We do this every day to see what everyone’s doing in the day and where everyone is with their deliverables, which will give you an indication of how busy it’s going to be I also check if there’s a manager available to join my meeting this afternoon
9.00 AM
I’m the most productive during the morning so I usually try to get as much as possible done before noon, starting with calling potential clients Before I make the calls I make sure I am prepared for them I do so by finding the specific value proposition for that company and whether we work with similar companies
9.30 AM
It’s time to make the first call of the day This is always a bit nerveracking; you never know who will be
Heidi Van der Griend studied a Bachelor of Business and is a sales consultant at Meltwater.
on the other line, if they will pick up or if they are interested in what we do Luckily, he picks up and I have a moment to go through my pitch We decide to book a meeting for the following week
10.45 AM
After calling companies for a couple of hours it is time for a meeting with a potential client
I generally go to their office and bring one of the managers along, which is the case today I get in the Uber and brief my manager on the way there, making sure he’s up to date
11.00 AM
As I walk into the office my nerves are starting to show and I do not know what to expect The marketing manager walks in and as soon as we start, I feel like I get into the flow of it. We do a needs analysis and look at how the media fits into their scope of the business. They specified that they really wanted to get in touch with journalists, so I go through a demo showing our journalist outreach tool and how they can use it
The meeting goes really well, and after finding out what they expect from us we agree to have a follow-up in a couple of days
12.00 PM
Back at the office, I do a bit of admin, where I go into our system and write down the notes from the meeting. I sit down briefly with the manager to discuss the outcome of the meeting I schedule the catch-up call for next week to see if it’s a go-ahead
1.00 PM
Time for lunch! I usually go down the road to the food court and get myself a salad I like to eat lunch in the fresh air; it’s so healthy for the mind!
2.00 PM
I spend my afternoon prospecting potential clients. I try to find at least five new companies a day. I also try to reach people I couldn’t get a hold of this morning I call between 30-60 people a day, so sometimes you have to try multiple times A few more pick up and we book meetings for next week
3.30 PM
It’s go time I have a phone meeting booked with a client who is ready to sign a deal if everything goes well, so I prepare the contract and call them up As soon as a deal goes through at the office we have a big bell that we ring, so after the call ends I turn up the music, walk up to the bell and ring it Walking through a tunnel of high fives on the way back, I feel ecstatic that the deal went through!
4.00 PM
I catch up a bit with my friends at the office. After the celebrations, I sit down to send out some proposals from previous meetings I produce customized slides to send to the people who attended and make sure all of the key points are included in the proposal
4.30 PM
I listen in to one of my colleagues’ phone meetings in order to pick up on some new tricks and pick out what techniques I can bring with me to my own meetings This is really helpful especially when you start out here, and I always pick up on something I didn’t know or haven’t thought about during these calls
5.00 PM
Every Friday, we do a round-up with the team We go around the table and tell everyone our highlight of the week as well as what we are looking forward to next week This week’s highlight is definitely signing the deal this afternoon!
5.30 PM
Time for the weekend!
On the job
What’s your job title?
Consultant (Financial Advisory – Corporate Tax) at PwC Perth
How did you choose your specialisation?
I enjoyed the taxation unit most at university and was keen to explore what career I could take up with those skills (and if I’d even like it as a career choice) I applied for corporate tax through PwC’s vacation program, which was the perfect opportunity to familiarise myself with real-world work through a short internship while studying at university After completing the internship, I was offered a graduate role and started working full time at the firm the following year.
What was your interview process like?
The first stage was an online application, where I submitted basic information about myself, similar to a resume or CV (I didn’t have to upload my CV though, only relevant information) Next was the online assessment, following which was an online video interview where I responded to three general pre-recorded questions about the firm and the role I applied for. After making it past this round I was invited to the tax assessment centre, where I took part in a group assessment activity, office tour and networking Lastly, I had an interview with people from the corporate tax team, where I was asked a range of questions relating to why I was interested in working with PwC and what attracted me to corporate tax
What are your areas of responsibility?
Corporate tax helps clients effectively manage challenging and constantly evolving local and international tax legislations Utilising our skills in finance, law or broader commerce, we offer clients from a variety of industries services across compliance, consulting and general tax
My role as a consultant is to work with my team and collaborate to support and provide high quality tax advice to our clients The teams usually have four to five team members My role generally involves helping clients with tax issues, writing letters and rulings to the ATO, tax compliance work such as income tax returns, and providing tax advice on deals such as mergers and acquisitions
What do you love about your job?
My job gives me the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of businesses such as health, government, infrastructure and tourism companies, which keeps the job interesting I get to learn new things every day, so my job is never boring It’s a very hands-on role, where I get to work directly with clients, grow my skills and see the impact of what I do
What advice would you give to a student?
Apply for vacation or intern programs; these are great ways to discover whether you like the company, team and job specialisation There is no limit to how many vacation programs you can apply for or do PwC also has other student career pathways, so have a look on our careers website to find the right fit.
Stacey Kent
Stacey Kent studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and is a consultant in Financial Advisory – Corporate Tax at PwC.
Study
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), The University of Western Australia, 2018
ROLE
It’s a very hands-on role, where I get to work directly with clients, grow my skills and see the impact of what I do.
On the job
Tiaan Mackenzie
Can you tell us about your background?
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa but emigrated to Sydney at an early age This wasn’t an easy immigration, coming from a relatively poor country to wealthy Australia I saw how hard my mother had to work to gain a foothold and eventually thrive here; it made me appreciate the necessity of a strong work ethic
I was 11 when I decided I wanted to be in property This long-term goal gave me a point of focus to achieve what I needed to get into the Bachelor of Property Economics
I deferred the start of my degree to travel solo for 301 days My trip took me back to Cape Town to work in a bespoke furniture factory, all the way up to Iceland, to the UK and across the Mediterranean and Eastern/Western Europe The cultures and individuals I interacted with showed me how to work with and relate to people from vastly different backgrounds These interpersonal skills have been key in bringing me to where I am today
How did you get to your current position?
I applied for the Stockland Graduate Program in 2018 I was already working with Stockland as the recipient of the Ervin Graf Scholarship This undergraduate role gave me industry experience and insight into which graduate stream I wanted to apply for and what to expect
What does your employer do?
Stockland is Australia’s largest diversified Australian real estate investment trust (AREIT) It owns, operates and develops residential, retirement living, retail, workplace and logistics assets across the country
As a development graduate, I work with the communities business or the residential and retirement living portfolios Until recently I worked on a major project in the Northwest Growth Corridor On this project I was responsible for a wide range of project items, including managing consultants; delivery of parks, pricing and competitor analysis; estate maintenance; roll out of innovative technology; and reporting to the business
What do you love about your job?
What I love is that it is dynamic and every day is what you make of it You can go from detailed financial forecasting to talking with residents and customers in the same afternoon I really love driving through a project that you helped develop and seeing people live their lives in a place that didn’t exist before
Do you bear a lot of responsibility? Do you have to work on weekends?
I do have a lot of responsibility, but it is manageable It does mean I have to work on weekends from time to time, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives Stockland cares for its people; we have great benefits like flexible working that help manage stress
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes It would be a steep learning curve, but I know marketing managers who became development managers
Tiaan Mackenzie studied a Bachelor of Property Economics and is a development graduate at Stockland.
Study
Bachelor of Property Economics, University of Technology Sydney, 2018
ROLE
Development graduate, Stockland
You can go from detailed financial forecasting to talking with residents and customers in the same afternoon.
On the job
Jenayah Elliott
What’s your job title?
Human resources analyst
What did you study?
I studied a Bachelor of Commerce and I majored in human resources at Curtin University
How did you get to your current job position?
I participated in the Woodside summer vacation program in the first and second year of my degree. I was encouraged to apply after receiving a Woodside scholarship through Curtin University
What was your interview process like?
I was invited to an informal catch-up with two recruiters from Woodside From there, I went through the formal interview process for the Woodside summer vacation program which included an interview with two senior managers from the people and global capability team This interview consisted of technical questions in relation to my studies and behavioural questions which were linked to personal experiences
Can you describe a typical workday?
On any given day I carry out transfers within and between sites, assist employees with setting up flexible work arrangements, prepare employment contracts and any other employment letters and documentation, and work within SAP to update and input employee data
Where could you or others in your position go from here?
HR is quite broad and opens you up to many opportunities within your chosen field or other careers. The majority of organisations have a human resources function, regardless of where you are in the world
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely The beauty of HR is the focus on inclusion and diversity; anyone can do the job if they have enough passion and drive
What do you love the most about your job? Which kind of task do you enjoy the most?
I love the relationships I build Every day involves interacting with a different team within the business at Woodside In regard to tasks, I thoroughly enjoy project work where I can manage a project from start to end
What’s the biggest limitation of your job?
HR has many facets that are very different For example, working as a recruiter is extremely different to liaising with unions in the industrial relations team Therefore, over the three-year graduate program, if you are put into a role that isn’t well suited to you, it could mean you may not be motivated in the role and gain as much as you would from being in a better-suited team
Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student?
■ The sky’s the limit – explore every opportunity that comes your way ■ Apply yourself – the more you apply yourself to your studies, the more opportunities will come out of it ■ Enjoy your time as a student – universities have so many co-curricular clubs and activities that you can get involved with that will enrich your experience
Jenayah Elliott studied a Bachelor of Commerce and is a human resources analyst at Woodside Energy.
Study
Bachelor of Commerce, Curtin University, 2020
ROLE
Human resources analyst, Woodside Energy
I love the relationships I build. Every day involves interacting with a different team within the business at Woodside.
On the job
What did you study and what is your job title?
I am a final year student at the University of New South Wales studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Accounting) At the moment, I am an intern in the finance & analysis team at Mirvac. I have always been interested in the property market – especially in Sydney – and felt Mirvac was a great place to gain some exposure
What does your employer do?
Mirvac is a leading, diversified Australian property group, with an integrated development and asset management capability My areas of responsibility are in the office & industrial sector Every workday tends to be different; I could be working on property model inputs one day and analysing financial statements the next This is a great way to progress my career towards an investment analyst position, as the internship builds on a lot of corporate finance theory learnt in university
What do you love about your job?
What I love is the amount of exposure the interns get to industry leaders and how involved the CEO is in the internship program The daily tasks are incredibly rewarding as they allow me to bring life to knowledge learnt in classes and see the reality behind it
Chyren Amarsee
Chyren Amarsee studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance, Accounting) and is an intern in the finance & analysis team at Mirvac.
At Coles, you will have an extensive support network to assist you in creating a challenging and successful career and be given constant feedback to hone your skills.
