Navigating the Early Career Landscape

Early career journey  

In the early stages, my focus was to gain exposure to various roles because I wasn't entirely sure about my career path. My first job was as a food and beverage attendant at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which gave me my first experience working in a team environment. 

I found it valuable as it helped me develop customer-facing skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. I continued to explore different opportunities and apply for various positions. 

Experience at university

I chose a Bachelor of Commerce because of its flexibility and broad scope. I've always had an interest in business, even back in high school when I tried small business ventures. I saw commerce as a great fit for me, and I was also drawn to the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, which turned out to be a valuable aspect of my university experience.  

The challenges I faced when starting out

One of the significant challenges I faced was securing internships and roles. It wasn't a smooth journey, and I encountered many ups and downs. There were times when I didn't land a role, which could be demotivating. 

However, maintaining a positive mindset, persevering, and being open to feedback were essential. I learned that perseverance, combined with continuous learning and improvement, was the key to overcoming challenges.

Product Analyst at Qantas

As a Product Analyst, my role is multifaceted, involving high-level strategy, managing product enhancements, and executing changes. In my current role at Qantas, I work in the Cabin Crew and Airline Services IT team, where we oversee applications and systems used by cabin crew.
This includes managing Qantas' in-flight service delivery app 'RED', where I work on bug fixes, enhancements, and roadmap development. I collaborate closely with support teams and developers to execute changes and improvements.

My team at Qantas

The team I work with at Qantas is small and comprises of my manager, a technical product owner, myself, and a graduate, totalling three team members.
We collaborate closely with application support and development teams, both onshore and offshore. While I don't make code changes myself, I act as a liaison to coordinate changes, ensuring they align with our product roadmap and goals.

My advice to people starting out

I would advise maintaining a positive mindset, being open to feedback, and continuously learning and improving. Perseverance is key, especially when facing challenges. It's important to demonstrate a strong work ethic and eagerness to make the most of opportunities.