More than a first job: How graduate programs launched these industrial careers

Four women. Four successful careers. One powerful starting point: a graduate program.

For WIN members Tara Starr, Alisha Galea, Ellen Slaven and Grace Shipway, those early opportunities opened doors and revealed career paths they had not known existed.

Here, they share where their graduate experiences led them – and their advice for the next generation of women entering industrial.  

An unexpected direction: Tara Starr, Greystar

When Tara Starr started university, she thought a career in property meant only one of two things: residential real estate or valuation. She had no idea industrial development was even an option.

But an opportunity with private developer Tipalea gave her a glimpse of something broader – and helped her secure a graduate role at The GPT Group.

‘I started in retail asset management,’ Tara recalls. ‘Then COVID hit, and it became an unexpected education in navigating a crisis. I worked in lean teams, stretched across parts of the business I hadn’t anticipated.

‘That eventually led me to industrial development – and something clicked immediately. The pace, the variety… I knew I wanted in.’

She went on to join GPT’s industrial development team before a connection through WIN introduced her to Greystar. Today, as Development Manager, Tara oversees the company’s industrial portfolio.

She believes the graduate program was instrumental in helping her get to where she is today.

‘The rotational structure gave me visibility across the business that would have taken years to build otherwise. By the end of the program, I knew more people across GPT than some of my managers, simply because I’d had the chance to move through so many teams.’

This exposure opened the door to a career Tara hadn’t considered.

‘I’ll be honest: I thought development was a pretty blokey world. I wasn’t sure it was a place for me. But meeting female mentors through the grad program who were genuinely thriving changed that. It made development feel like a real path I could pursue.’

Her advice to students and graduates is simple: stay open.

‘Take every rotation seriously, even the ones that don’t seem relevant. Some of my most formative experiences came from the places I least expected. And if you’re unsure whether property or industrial is really for you, that uncertainty is exactly the reason to apply. There is genuinely no downside to finding out.’

Learning by doing: Alisha Galea, Vaughan Constructions

For Alisha Galea, the best place to begin a career in construction was right in the middle of it. And her graduate role at Vaughan gave her that opportunity from day one.

‘When I started as a Graduate Contract Administrator, I was lucky enough to work on an award-winning project: a state-of-the-art, six-level education facility.

‘Spending three days a week onsite really accelerated my learning. I was on the ground working alongside experienced site managers, a Senior Project Manager and a Senior Contract Administrator, while watching the building take shape around me.

‘Juggling multiple responsibilities was challenging. But the experience was invaluable.’

That early exposure gave Alisha the confidence to take on every opportunity that followed – including relocating to Brisbane to explore a different market and delivering a $60 million education project in Melbourne.

The graduate role also gave her a strong support system.

‘The people I worked with as a graduate had a significant impact on my development, both professionally and personally. Having a supportive team around you makes all the difference when you’re starting out.

‘Many of the relationships I formed then have continued to grow, creating opportunities and connections that have shaped my career.’

Now a Senior Contract Administrator, Alisha still draws on the breadth of experience she gained during those early years.

‘Wearing multiple hats in my grad role gave me a well-rounded understanding of how everything fits together. That’s one of the biggest advantages of these kinds of programs. You become more effective in your chosen field because you’ve gained insight into the needs, challenges and priorities of the different teams around you.’

From graduate to General Manager: Ellen Slaven, Goodman

When Ellen Slaven was studying Property Economics at UTS, she knew she needed to build a strong foundation for her future career. But she didn’t yet know which direction was right for her.

The Goodman Graduate Program gave her the chance to find out.

‘The rotations on the program helped me better understand my strengths and which area of property interested me most,’ she explains. ‘I found I had a passion for Asset Management – something I may not have discovered without the graduate program.’

The program also allowed Ellen to build a network that would lead to an exciting opportunity.

‘Meeting influential people from across the industry at the very start of my career helped me form connections that opened doors for me later. Like the chance to move to London for a four-year secondment to support Goodman’s expansion in Europe.’

Today, Ellen is General Manager of Property Services, overseeing the strategy and operations of Goodman’s multibillion-dollar Western Sydney logistics, commercial and data centre portfolio.

Twenty-three years after the program, she still believes graduate roles are among the best ways to transition from university into the workforce.

‘Grad programs give you unique insight into different parts of the property sector, helping you discover what interests and motivates you in a structured and supportive environment.

‘My advice is to stay curious, be open to every experience and use the program to explore paths you may not have previously considered.’

The sector that stood out: Grace Shipway, Charter Hall

When Grace Shipway applied for Charter Hall’s internship program, she didn’t know she’d end up in industrial. She was simply looking to explore the property industry.

‘My goal was to build a long-term career in property and gain hands-on experience across the full asset lifecycle. Rather than moving straight into a specialised role, I wanted a chance to learn from experienced professionals and develop a well-rounded understanding of the industry.’

The program gave Grace broad exposure across different teams and asset classes. Through that experience, Industrial and Logistics emerged as the area that best aligned with her interests.

‘One of the most valuable parts of the grad program was seeing how Industrial and Logistics assets support tenant customers business operations. I was particularly drawn to the sector’s scale and diversity, the functionality of industrial sheds and the critical role they play in supporting supply chains and the broader economy.’

The internship led to a full-time role at Charter Hall, where Grace has since progressed to Assistant Asset Manager and Customer Engagement Coordinator.

Her advice to future graduates? Do your homework.

‘Find a graduate program that genuinely aligns with your interests, rather than applying broadly. Research the company, its work, its culture, and the opportunities available. That will give a better sense of whether it’s somewhere you can see yourself growing in the long-term.’

Thinking about a career in industrial? Follow WIN on LinkedIn for career advice, member stories and opportunities to connect with women across the sector.