Miki Takashiba - 2019 graduate

Role: Group Technology Graduate

University background: Bachelor of Commerce/Science

Can you describe a day in the life of your current rotation? (What division you are in; have you learned; have you been involved in?)
A life as a Group Technology graduate will differ from day to day (like most grads). Most days I come to the office between 8:45-9am, make some tea, check the Vine (intranet) and catch up on my emails. I will then have a stand up to go over any thing that has happened since our last stand up and the plan for today. It depends on the day because some days I have a lot of meetings and other days I will be mostly working on my task for the project that I am in. I will usually have lunch with the other grads and then it’s back to work. There are often company-wide events happening throughout the week - for example for Customer Love Week there was a series of panel talks and presentations which anyone can sign up to and learn more about. I have learnt to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way even if you don’t particularly like it at the start. You will learn new things along the way and might even find something that will interest you in the future.

Describe in three words your experience so far: Challenging, unique, positive

What has the support network at IAG been like for you as a Grad? 
There are many people who are there to support you throughout the grad program including the Graduate Program Partner, your manager, your team, buddy and fellow grads.

If I have a problem, there is at least one person who I can talk to and everyone is super supportive of you. I feel that people in this company do care and will go out of their way to make sure that you are getting the most out of the grad program.

What has been your most memorable experience on the Grad Program so far? 
Having a great group of grads has definitely made the grad program experience 10 times better. We have lunch together and go out for drinks on Friday, so they make me have a great grad program experience.

If you could give one piece of advice to a student applying for the Grad Program, what would it be? 
Make sure to do some research about IAG, the divisions you want to work in and why you want to work at IAG/in that area.

Also, before the grad program, make sure to enjoy some time off and relax because you won’t be as free when you start working!

At IAG our purpose is making the world a safer place, how do you feel you have contributed to this within the community? 
In my first two months I had the opportunity to be a part of a social incubator program tackling issues of social inequity, in particular homelessness. During this program we discussed and came up with ways to tackle this social issue and since then I have been a part of a group which regularly catches up to brainstorm ways to make these people’s world a safer place. As you can see, it’s not only in your role that you can contribute to IAG’s purpose, there are many opportunities outside of your role as well.