Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the Blue Mountains/Greater Western Sydney area where I attended both primary and high school. In 2014 I started my degree at the University of Western Sydney which took three years to complete and is where I made many lifelong friends. After I completed university I worked as an IT customer support specialist for a media company in North Sydney for just over a year and a half. I then moved on from that role into the one I currently hold at DHL where I have been a part of a few internal marketing videos such as promoting the Graduate program and the Accelerated Digitalisation program.
How did you get to your current job position?
I have been working at DHL now for just over a year, starting the graduate program in February 2019. I originally heard about the graduate program from a friend that I studied with who was a current graduate at the time also. They thought I would enjoy the role and bring something new to the table.
How did you choose your specialisation?
I originally chose to complete a Bachelor in ICT when I entered university because I have always enjoyed anything to do with technology and how it works. Upon completion of my degree, I knew I wanted to get the most out of the knowledge I’d gained so I looked for jobs in that field. I eventually found my way to the DHL graduate program through a friend who was already completing the program in the same field I wanted to be in they suggested I apply.
What was your interview process like?
After attending a graduate open day where we heard from current graduates and business leaders as well as information about the program and participated in some group activities and tours, a day that I was then invited back to a year later as a current graduate to talk to prospective graduates. During the process I was generally asked questions about my qualifications and past job experiences, overall it is really about the importance of having the right culture fit for the company. I also attended a pre-employment medical and completed some other internal processes and a formal offer for the position was the final step.
What does your employer do?
DHL is a 3rd party logistics company that offers customised logistics and industry solutions. This includes the areas of supply chain management, warehousing, and distribution.
What are your areas of responsibility?
As part of the DHL Graduate program every six months, my role within IT changes, and therefore so do my responsibilities. Recently I completed a rotation that had me working on IT products and solutions, more specifically Digitalisation. In this area, I was working on improving the technology that our pickers use to do their jobs, which includes things such as voice picking.
Can you describe a typical workday?
Each day at work brings something different so there is no truly typical workday for me. However, my morning normally starts with me coming into work, making myself a cup of tea, and sitting down to read my emails to check what has to be done for the day. The last project I worked on was assisting in the implementation of new smart devices that are now being used on the floor in the warehouse. This involved me customising applications to suit specific needs for our operations and also working on our new voice picking software.
What are the career prospects of your job?
There are so many different directions that a job in IT can take you because there is such a variety of things that technology is capable of and is used for. For example, you can become an IT Solutions Analyst, IT Integrations Analyst, you could move into IT Infrastructure and Service Management or IT Products and Solutions. With some of these positions, there’s also the possibility of working anywhere in the world. There are so many options you’re bound to find a niche for yourself doing something that you enjoy in a place that you love.
What would your career be if you weren’t doing what you’re doing now?
I would probably be pursuing my passion for photography and digital media more. I love taking photos of anything that catches my eye (at the moment astrophotography is what I am putting a lot of my spare time into). However, the career path I have actually taken opens up a lot more options for me job wise and many more opportunities, especially through DHL.
What do you love the most about your job?
I love that I get to work on different projects and that every day brings something new that I can learn from and actually help to further an operation and improve it. Diversity in the projects that I am working on is important to me so that it doesn’t get stale and I continue to enjoy coming to work every day.
What’s the biggest limitation of your job?
The only limitation that I have come across in my time working for DHL is a lack of knowledge I have of some systems. As I am changing roles every 6 months, this is a challenge that I’ll continue to face, however, it keeps things fresh and interesting rather than remaining stagnant. The job can place a bit of pressure on a person sometimes but it all depends on how you manage your time and how you organise yourself and you are always supported within the team to succeed.
Which three pieces of advice would you give to a current university student?