Learning, connecting, progressing: The lasting impact of a graduate program

A graduate program might only last a year, but it can impact an entire career.

In the second article of our series exploring graduate pathways into industrial, we ask four more WIN members what they gained from their grad program.

From wide-reaching networks to invaluable mentorship, the foundations laid in those early years are, in many cases, still paying off.

Finding her path: Melissa Gardner, The GPT Group

Melissa Gardner was still at university when she joined GPT’s graduate program – beginning a journey that would shape the next decade of her career. Her goal was clear: to explore the industry from the inside before committing to a direction.

‘I was drawn to GPT because they have so many different areas of property and a high-quality portfolio of assets,’ Melissa says. ‘Plus, the graduate program also gave me the opportunity to rotate through different areas before committing to a role. Over 12 months, I worked across office, retail, leasing and development.’

Those rotations gave Melissa exposure to the commercial side of the industry – and helped her work out where she wanted to grow.

‘I was given many different tasks that taught me things we didn’t learn at university. I also learned more about the commercial priorities of the industry and where I should continue to focus my development.’

Just as importantly, the program gave her the chance to show what she could bring to the business.

‘The experience also allowed me to demonstrate my skills in a supportive environment and ultimately progress into a permanent role at GPT.’

Melissa joined the office team as an Assistant Property Manager and spent the next five years progressing through asset management before moving into logistics in 2022. Today, as Portfolio Manager, she leads a team of five and oversees GPT’s logistics portfolios across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Her advice to women considering a graduate role?

‘Definitely do it! You’ll learn so much through the exposure. Take the opportunity to build networks and relationships too; these will come in handy in the future. Many of the people I met during my first year are still at GPT today and are part of a network I can rely on.’

Growing through mentorship: Georgia Dickinson, Charter Hall

For Georgia Dickinson, the UTS × Charter Hall Graduate Program offered the breadth she was looking for as she approached the end of her Property Economics degree.

Georgia completed the program in 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted much of the year. But watching the organisation respond to rapidly changing social and economic conditions became a learning experience in itself.

‘The rotations provided valuable insight into how different sectors adapted and pivoted,’ she says.

Despite the lockdowns, Georgia managed to visit stabilised and development assets across Sydney, seeing leasing strategy, customer engagement and project management in action.

But it was the mentorship structure that helped her turn the experience into a career opportunity.

‘I was paired with a buddy who regularly checked in on my development. She provided guidance on my learning and played a key role in helping me position myself for a permanent role at the end of the program.’

That opportunity came in December 2020, when Georgia joined Charter Hall’s Industrial & Logistics team as an Assistant Property Manager. She’s continued to progress within the team since, and works as an Assistant Asset Manager today.

For women considering a graduate program, Georgia’s advice is to back themselves – and come prepared.

‘Don’t hesitate to put yourself forward. Take the time to prepare a considered and well-researched application. Graduate programs are highly competitive, so it’s important to present yourself as strongly as possible.’

Building strong foundations: Caitlin D’Arcy, ESR Australia

Thirteen years into her industrial career, Caitlin D’Arcy can still draw a direct line between the skills she developed early on and the work she does today.

Caitlin was awarded the Goodman Graduate Scholarship in her third year at Western Sydney University. She went on to spend 12 years with the company.

‘My graduate program created numerous opportunities for professional growth and development within the industry,’ Caitlin says. ‘I was able to work across different areas of the Goodman business and take on new opportunities as they arose.’

More than a decade later, those early foundations still shape her work as a Senior Development Manager.

‘The foundational disciplines of property management and commercial management continue to support me in my current role. Working across different business functions helped me develop a broad understanding of the commercial, operational and customer relationships that underpin successful development projects.’

Her advice to women starting out?

‘Approach each opportunity with enthusiasm and an open mind. Ask questions, actively get involved and take every chance to broaden your knowledge and experience.’

Building a hands-on career: Grace Ruffle, Goodman

Grace Ruffle already had a taste of working life when she joined Goodman in 2020. During the final year of her Urban Development degree, she was working as a town planning consultant. But she had a different vision for her long-term career.

‘I wanted a more hands-on job where I was on the ground delivering buildings as well as in the office,’ she explains.

Goodman gave her that opportunity. And combining work and study proved valuable in both directions.

‘Working throughout my degree gave me practical knowledge that I could apply to my studies, which really helped me excel in my course.’

But it was the people around her who made the biggest impression.

‘Working with such experienced people at Goodman and having that mentorship so early on in my career was invaluable,’ says Grace.

Six-and-a-half years later, she’s still at Goodman, now as a Project Manager – and that hands-on career she was looking for has become a reality.

Want more graduate career stories? Read part one of our series and follow WIN on LinkedIn for more inspiration from women who’ve built their careers in industrial.