Ben's Experience as a Qantas Graduate

Why did you choose the Qantas Graduate Program?

I chose the Qantas Grad Program over others because it allowed to me to use both my degrees to learn about an industry I found fascinating.

Being a Mechanical Engineer I liked learning how planes worked but I really wanted to understand how airlines function.

I think for someone like me who enjoyed solving complex puzzles and problems, Qantas was the best place to get experience at one of the biggest companies in Australia while still really enjoying the challenge of my work.

Tell us about the Rotations you worked in. Were there any key highlights?

Across my four rotations I worked in the Qantas Loyalty Finance Team, Network Finance, QantasLink Centre of Financial Excellence team, and the QantasLink Finance and Strategy team. I think each rotation had its highlights, but the best part was that each rotation was unique. My personal highlight was working with the Network team helping to launch new routes and to develop new methodologies and processes to improve commercial performance. I liked it so much that when I finished the grad program, I was lucky enough to get a job in the team.

How was your development supported as a Qantas Graduate?

We had great support from across the business through our direct managers and mentors, but also everyone in the business. Everyone was very open to catching up and talking about their business area and helping you learn and develop skills that you could take back into your department to help everyone improve. I think importantly, the dedicated graduate program managers are always there to help guide you to where you see you need development. There is always someone to help when needed and keep you growing.

What was your biggest misconception about working for an airline?

I think the biggest misconception was about how truly complex an airline is. When you’re just a customer you head online, buy your ticket, rock up to the airport, drop your bags, go through security and then a few hours later are in a completely different place. However, what you don’t see and what was interesting to learn, was the hundreds of micro decisions and processes that are going on in the background in order to make that journey seem so simple. When you get into the detail it is fascinating how complex the systems are to manage such a large and global operation.

Advice for those looking to apply for the Qantas Graduate Program?

The great thing about Qantas is that there is such a diverse set of areas within the business that there is likely a place where your skills and personality fit perfectly. So, when applying I think the best thing you can do is to make sure that you are considering what are those skills, personality traits, lifetime experience that you can bring that others may not have.