What's your job about?
MM Electrical is an Electrical Wholesaler. They distribute electrical, communications and data, solar, lighting and associated electrical components and products to contractors across Australia.
No two days are the same in my workplace as a Graduate Cadet. Being a part of the graduate program means I am exposed to different aspects of the company all the time. Learning different skills and expanding my knowledge means I am able to make a decision on a clear career pathway, that I would like to follow within MM.
Throughout the course of the program, I have been exposed to many different workplace environments working within teams both big and small. Not only has this been beneficial in gaining a greater understanding of industry knowledge, but it has allowed me to learn different management and sales styles which will help mould my own.
This experience has also allowed me to come across many different personalities which at first was daunting to me as a young female in a male-dominated industry. However, if anything being thrown into these situations has accelerated my growth in communication and people management skills and which will not only benefit me in my future career but in my general everyday life.
What's your background?
I grew up in little old Adelaide and got my job with MM Electrical straight out of Uni in 2021. I always loved Melbourne and big cities, so when I finished Uni, I had the Urge to move here. As MM is a nationally recognised company, I was able to do so while ensuring my career was stable while I moved states.
The most important stages of my life so far have been school and uni. I learned a lot and made some lifelong friends. Moving to a different state was another major life change as I left everyone I knew and had to learn to be independent and look after myself. It’s made me put myself out there a lot more and I can see that reflected in my work, as it has allowed me to easily engage with customers.
I got my current job through a recruitment agency that helps Graduates straight from Uni. I was so fed up with applying for post-graduate jobs and looking at graduate opportunities, I got to a point where I honestly didn’t think I would find one! Applying with an agency was the best thing I did as they helped me list out what I wanted in a career (i.e., job stability which was a major thing for me with Covid) and connected me with companies that were a great match. That’s how I ended up here at MM
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely! I was sceptical when I first started as I was a female with a retail background and a Business Marketing Degree. I thought; who on earth would take me seriously within a trade industry?! Yet here I am almost 2 years later, and I have customers who come directly to me to help create solutions to their problems and answer their questions. I honestly believe if you have a good attitude and mindset and are willing to learn, you will succeed! All the tools are given to you but it’s up to you to use them correctly.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Honestly what I love the most about my job is learning new things every day. The industry is just full of knowledge and learning, and it's very rewarding when you can help because you’ve got the right knowledge to solve their problem.
What are the limitations of your job?
Some days can be long, but you have to be willing to sometimes sacrifice a bit of time to get everything done.
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