What's your job about?
The company I work for is Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and we are a technology company that specializes in computing, storage, and networking products. HPE employees range from sales specialized, to technically particular which covers all bases of the selling cycle. My current area is inside sales, in which I am performing a different array of tasks and projects. In the early days of the role, we did some shadowing, in which you learned and watched other team members doing their daily jobs which gave a great stepping stone to doing individual tasks. My daily tasks now include contacting partners, generating quotes and approvals, following up deals and registrations and doing customer profiling. These tasks can be an important piece of the sales architecture for the business. As graduates, we also undertake exciting projects that positively impact HPE. A project we completed was creating a handbook for the channel partner team, which highly benefited our learning, whilst also giving the team a great resource to use for upcoming ventures. The role is challenging and times but is very rewarding and has helped me learn at a rapid rate about how this exciting company operates.
What's your background?
I grew up and still live in Geelong, Victoria. I have lived in a few different houses in the Geelong area, and it’s a place I enjoy as it is not too busy but is still close to Melbourne and some nice beaches on the surf coast. I went to school at St Joseph's College in Geelong, it is a catholic all-boys school and a place that I have very fond memories of. I made many friendships at school that I still hold today, and I found it was an enjoyable place to spend my youth years. After school, I studied at Deakin University, in which I did a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Business and Digital Communications. I enjoyed my course, and it taught me a lot about commerce and the different roles and ways of how a business operates. I have held many casual jobs in many different fields, which include working at a distribution centre, plastering and tiling, sales at a sports store and disability work. I enjoyed all these jobs and it gave me a lot of different experiences in the real world. I gained my current job by applying online and going through the process which included phone interviews, online tests, and an assessment centre to finish. I have travelled abroad with friends twice, the first going to Europe and visiting London, Edinburgh, and Paris, and the second travelling throughout New Zealand. I enjoyed both experiences and have memories from them that I will remember forever.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Someone could! It is a diverse job role, and whilst there are some business and some technical skills involved (which I have had to learn), people from many different backgrounds could most definitely do it. Like all other jobs, the learning and training undertaken at the job itself is the best form of experience.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
I enjoy the variety of my job, in which I can do 5 different tasks in a single day. The part I like best is positively contributing to the company, even as a graduate. This can be like ensuring a partner account stays with HPE, which in turn is beneficial for both parties. Having the chance to try and benefit the company every day, I think, is pretty cool, even if it is in a small way. My role right now allows me to do that, which I appreciate, and I look forward to contributing even more in future years.
What are the limitations of your job?
I think maybe a limitation I have is not being technical enough and relying on others when I face problems surrounding that knowledge. Being strong technically can help you in aspects of every career at HPE, however, my business degree has also helped me incredibly along the way.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I would say just enjoy the ride that university can take you on, as it can be up and down like having a job. The ride or journey is what can make the experience special. Also, travel and experience what the world has to offer, as when you start a full-time job, there are not as many opportunities in the first few years. Another piece of advice would be to ensure you keep and cherish the friendships you make when your students as they can become close friends for life.