From full time grad to full time employee: the art of getting your foot in the door

Once Carlos Prince was on our radar, we knew we had to snap him up quick smart.? ?

He’s just four months into his role as a Marketing Specialist, but he’s already made a name for himself as a rising star in marketing.? ? ?

Carlos says the grad program played a big part in prepping him for his role. For all those wondering, here’s the rundown on what it involved. ? ?

What’s a graduate program and how can it help?? ?

‘The Telstra grad program runs for just over a year all up and is split between two rotations.’ said Carlos.

‘My first rotation was here at Belong in the Customer Value Management (CVM) space. I was a marketing graduate and keen to get into a marketing role, so I was right where I needed to be.’? ? ?

‘I worked full time in CVM for six months all up. I got first-hand experience in one-to-one marketing communications which involved a whole lot of below-the-line work, remediation, and customer retention activities. It was a great way to test the waters and get to know some of the Belong cohort.’?

‘Trying different areas in the business also gave me a sense of what I wasn't looking for as well as what I liked. When you’re just starting your career, it’s really helpful to know what pathways you don’t want to follow.’ ? ? ?

How did you land your full-time job here? ? ? ?

‘An awesome part of the grad program is that it opens up heaps of networking opportunities. Working in CVM meant I got to mesh with the marketing crew and gave me the opportunity to build some solid connections.’? ? ?

‘One of those connections happened to be a marketing lead at Belong. He was across the work I’d done through the grad program and took references and character reviews of my performance. Off the back of that, he offered me a job at Belong.’? ?

Pumps fist in triumph? ?

Would you recommend the Telstra Graduate Program to others? ? ? ?

‘100%. For people who have just graduated from uni and are keen on getting some hands-on experience in a certain role or industry, it’s a great step in the right direction.’? ? ?

‘It’s also a fantastic way to build out your skillset and expand your network. Overall, it’s a super valuable experience and is a great step to take for those wanting to progress in their career.’ ? ?

What do you like most about being a Marketing Specialist? ? ? ?

‘Seeing all the hard work that goes into improving and optimising parts of our website actually pay off is definitely up there. The meaning is in the metrics, and the metrics show that the changes we’re making are having a really positive impact on our customers. I’m pretty chuffed about that.’? ?

‘I also love the fact that I'm constantly learning new skills on the job and getting exposed to different areas of the business.’ ? ?

And what do you like about working at Belong?? ?

‘There’s a lot to like! But a big one for me is how pro-development Belong is. Since starting here, the company has encouraged me to continue upskilling and exploring areas that are of interest to me or that could help me grow.’? ?

‘To top it off, I get to work remotely. For me, working from home creates a sense of trust between my team and I. It's important that we can all engage on a high level while not all being in the same place, and we’ve got that down to a fine art.’? ??? ?

Any tips for those thinking about following in your footsteps? ? ?

Thinking about giving the grad program a go? Carlos says it’s a fantastic opportunity, but one to be taken seriously if you want your career goals to become a reality.? ?

1. Ask questions?

‘Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re unsure about something. At the end of the day, you’re there to learn, and the only way you're going to do that is by being honest.’? ? ?

2. Be honest?

‘Be honest about your current capability and where you want to go. That will allow you to form a growth plan and will help connect you with the right people.’? ? ?

3. It’s up to you?

‘You do need self-determination and motivation. You’ll be given projects and assignments, but how you go about delivering them is up to you. You’re responsible for the output you deliver.’?

4. Don't waste your chance? ‘Make the most of the opportunity. The grad program is a competitive one and an amazing opportunity to get some first-hand experience in your field of choice. Don’t let that go to waste.? ?

Find out more about the grad program?