Explain what your business area does or its function within the group.
I’m a part of the Business Division, which are responsible for looking after SME, commercial, agribusiness and private wealth customers across the Westpac Group. We work with a massive variety of customers, from small family-owned businesses to complex commercial entities.
Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?
In my marketing degree, I developed a keen interest in the role and importance of the customer experience in the business. I applied to the Westpac Graduate Program because I was drawn to the significant role that the bank played in the lives of so many Australians. In the business division, we have the opportunity to positively impact the experiences of customers and this is the leading reason why I chose to join this area.
I also wanted to work for a company that was invested in my development and where I had room to grow professionally. Given my interests in a variety of different areas, it was important to find somewhere where I could explore and expand on my interests and skills. Westpac was the natural choice for me.
To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross-functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in.
So far, I have worked in the Business Chief Transformation Office, which is responsible for delivering innovative change across the division to support our bankers, deliver great experiences for our business customers and help Westpac Group to become a simpler organisation.
I started my first rotation in the Strategy & Design team, which is responsible for shaping and designing the implementation of the strategic initiatives for the business division. I had the opportunity to work on the design of the digital offering for our microbusiness segment, as well as scoping and managing opportunities for cost reduction across the division. This rotation allowed me to engage with teams across the business division in customer engagement, digital, cash management and business lending.
I also did a rotation within the Process Simplification team, which supports the business division by improving products, processes and systems to make a difference for customers. I was responsible for driving a project to design and implement a tool for our commercial bankers to measure and plan their customer acquisition strategy. This project has allowed me to work with our capability, digital and customer engagement teams – I have even had the opportunity to shadow a commercial business banker to better understand their role.
To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?
I was involved in examining the existing end-to-end journey for our microbusiness customers. In this project, my team compiled together analyses, data and strategy to make recommendations on a new digital offering to better serve our microbusiness customers; with the project ultimately being presented to the head of our division! I am also part of The Youth Network, where I was involved in the committee that oversaw the brand redesign for the group.
So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?
The connections that I have made in the graduate program have been amazing. I have had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with so many unique, driven people so far. Leaders and peers have made themselves available to share their professional journey and advice, as well as showing a genuine interest in my goals and development. There is a great graduate community that put on plenty of events like recreational sport, trivia and social drinks. The graduate program has given me friendships that I will treasure for a long time.
What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?
I love the spirit of community that is present here at Westpac. Whether it is the support that you are offered from your peers and leaders, the passion for helping customers or the culture of community involvement - it is noticeable how the Westpac Group is built on a strong sense of community.
What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?
I’m a Business Division grad, but I love to cook.
Please describe your business area in three words.
Dynamic, Connected, Customer-Focused.
Which part of the business do you work in now?
Enterprise Platforms & Banker Tools, Chief Transformation Office, Consumer & Business Banking
What does your role entail?
I work as a Strategic Analyst in the Enterprise Platforms & Banker Tools team. My role is to identify, prioritise and quantify strategic opportunities for new tools, technological platforms and processes for our frontline bankers. In my role I’m required to perform a lot of analysis and financial modelling, as well as communicate with stakeholders from all around the business.
In what way did your grad program journey prepare you for your current role?
I think the graduate program best prepared me for my new role by giving me a solid grounding in the operations of the various parts of the bank. By rotating through several areas, I gained a good understanding for how different areas interact with another, divisional responsibilities, and key processes. As well as this contextual knowledge, the graduate program also prepares you by pushing you beyond your comfort zone and allowing you to expand on your self-confidence.
What are you most looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to owning my new role and making an impact. The graduate program arms you with a significant variety of experiences from across the bank. All those experiences put you in a unique position to offer meaningful and insightful contributions to your new role in Westpac – I can’t wait!
What was unexpected / a surprise?
What surprised me most about my post-grad role was where I eventually ended up. I did not necessarily see myself rolling off into this area of the bank, nor to be working in a technology-focused role. I ended up in this team through exposure I had in my graduate program rotations and a chance conversation with my manager. You would be surprised by how many unexpected opportunities you are presented within the program through saying yes and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.
Curious, Challenging, Accountable.
Do you have any advice for when they come to seek post-program roles?
Your post-graduate role is not the role you will have for the rest of your career – it’s a stepping stone! Finding a role where you have a supportive manager and get to develop the key skills for your career is more important than trying to find an exact match to your dream job. Keeping an open mind and looking at how a post-grad role can set you up for the future will present you with some awesome opportunities you might not otherwise find.