Did you know that 34 per cent of the total working population in Australia will be Generation Z (born 1995 – 2009) by 2030?

So naturally, we’re focusing on providing more opportunities for these up-and-coming leaders to cut their teeth in the workplace. 

Through our partnership with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), we’ve welcomed two new faces to GrainCorp – IT Co-Op student Annabelle Mansour and Accounting student Hayden Liptak.

Hayden and Annabelle are in the first year of their degrees, so we sat down with them to see how they’re juggling studies with the working world.  

What team have you joined at GrainCorp, and what projects have you been involved in so far? 

A: I’ve been placed in the Applications team, which has been an amazing learning experience! For the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to rotate through six different application teams.

H: I’ve been working within the Treasury team – specifically Risk and Compliance – for the last month. Before that, I had a short stint in Financial Accounting. I’m excited to gain exposure across the finance functions over the course of my internship.

How have you found the transition from university to the workforce?

A: It’s been a very different experience to university! I’ve found there’s a lot more structure compared to university, and there’s more responsibility – however, I like the routine of having somewhere to be every day.

H: The transition from university to the workforce has been easier than I expected. I was very eager to begin my internship with GrainCorp, and everyone I’ve met or worked with has been extremely welcoming, making it easy to settle in.

What do you enjoy most about your team and the work you’ve been involved in?

A: The best part of working at GrainCorp has to be the people. Everyone is so welcoming, friendly, and always willing to share their knowledge. Coming into the office is a highlight because I get to connect with so many experienced IT professionals. They’ve taught me so much about the different systems, and I’ve picked up a few tips on the best coffee and gelato spots around too!

H: I enjoy being around the people in my team enormously. What I’ve particularly enjoyed about Treasury is the ability to gain exposure and learn about the trading side of the business. It feels like I’m working in an investment firm while simultaneously developing my knowledge of tangible agricultural products.

How has working at GrainCorp opened your mind to opportunities within the Ag sector?

A: This is my first time working in the agriculture industry – I didn’t realise how expansive the IT division would be! It has definitely made me think about all the possibilities and job opportunities in this field.

H: I didn’t realise how diverse GrainCorp would be when I started. Through this experience, I’ve quickly realised that agriculture offers a multitude of opportunities. This diversity and opportunity to gain exposure in several areas of the industry is exciting as someone with most of my career still ahead of me.