What's your job about?
I am currently a Graduate Cadet with the MMEM Group! MMEM look after a number of Electrical wholesale businesses across the country. My role within the given store I am placed at has varied over my time with the company. However, in my first year, I’d attribute much of my work to overseeing the sales side of the business. On a day-to-day basis, I have been looking after clients to service their everyday needs as well as a few more intricate projects (work that requires quoting etc). Problem-solving and finding solutions for customers play a prominent role on any given day, however relationship building and getting to know each and every person that walks through the door is also extremely important.
What's your background?
I grew up in Yallambie, a small suburb north of Melbourne. After school, I attended RMIT University where I studied a Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance). After graduating the plan was to travel Europe for a month or so with my partner, however, covid happened ☹. Considering travel plans were placed on hold for an indefinite amount of time, I figured it would be a great time to jump into a future career, which just so happened to be the MMEM Graduate Program! I had always been passionate about business so the program seemed to be a natural fit for me.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
I believe that this role would be perfect for a number of people from different walks of life, as long as they had the fundamentals to grow within a ‘person to person’ environment. Relationship building, problem-solving abilities and teamwork may sound slightly stereotypical when describing attributes needed for a role, however, to be working in an industry that so heavily relies on creating bonds and trust between people, they are a must!
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The best part about my job is easily the friendships I create every single day. I don’t just refer to the relationships you build with your colleagues, but also the ones you create with your customers. Being able to laugh and have fun with your clients really does drive you to enjoy every bit of work you do. Work events are also incredible, the ability to get to know both customers and colleagues outside of the parameters of work really transcends just working relationships.
What are the limitations of your job?
Although there are many positives about doing a job like this, there are one or two drawbacks. For example, the role requires additional hours on weekends as well as overtime (sometimes) if required. There will be occasions where you are ‘thrown into the deep end’ testing your ability to overcome challenges that you may not experience in other lines of work.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
If I could go back in time and give myself advice while I was at Uni, I would simply say this:
Enjoy your time and what you are learning, the more passionate you are, the more you can understand what you are learning. I’ve found that the more you enjoy what you are doing the more you will take in, always give it your best!