What job are you doing now that you have finished the graduate program?

Now that I have finished the graduate program I have moved into an AM Agronomist role in Kaniva

Which areas within the business have you been exposed to so far?
By completing the Graduate program I have been exposed to Merchandise (Shepparton), Agronomy (Kaniva), Livestock (Echuca), Wool (Hamilton), Insurance and Real Estate (Head Office Melbourne).

What have you enjoyed the most about working at AWB/Landmark?

I have enjoyed the flexibility of the Graduate program, and the chance to be able to learn about all the different business areas before deciding on a specialist area. I have found moving around to different branches within Victoria has given me exposure to different agricultural activities while also being able to meet more staff out in network.

How have you found the AWB/Landmark culture?

The atmosphere at AWB/Landmark is very supportive and everyone is more than willing to offer advice and help young employees.
                                                   

What is the one achievement that you have been most proud of?

Throughout completion of the Grad program I have acquired a greater understanding of the Landmark business and have also been able to gain accreditation in Ag Safe and my Wool Classing Certificate. I have also had the opportunity to be a co-organiser of a National Insurance Conference.

How have you been able assist in the operations of AWB/Landmark during your rotations?

During the graduate program rotations, I have been able to assist in the operations of field days, branch open days, client events and conferences.

Have your expectations been met?

I came into this graduate program with the expectations of broadening my knowledge in the services Landmark provides to clients and the possible job opportunities available, which have definitely been met.

What is the most interesting thing that you have learnt about working in a corporate environment?

There is a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work that is done in the corporate head office to allow work in the branches to run smoothly.

What challenges have you faced working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

Communication can be very challenging for a company the size of AWB/Landmark.

What benefits have you got out of working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

As Landmark is a National company, I have been able to meet a large network of people and have exposure to different activities around Australia.

Other comments/ feedback/ suggestions are welcome. – Please add them below.

The Landmark grad program has been an excellent beginning to my career with Landmark. I have had a great year travelling around Victoria meeting new people and learning new skills. The knowledge and contacts I have made throughout the rotations have been invaluable.

 
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What job are you doing now that you have finished the graduate program?

Now that I have finished the graduate program I have moved into an AM Agronomist role in Horsham.

Which areas within the business have you been exposed to so far?

Agronomy, Merchandise and Livestock processing.

What have you enjoyed the most about working at AWB/Landmark?

The opportunity to learn from the most experienced agronomists in the business and all the laughs along the way.

How have you found the AWB/Landmark culture?

People in the business are very warm and friendly.  
  

What is the one achievement that you have been most proud of?

My Value Chain Project which is part of the graduate program.

How have you been able assist in the operations of AWB/landmark during your rotations?

Agronomy – writing paddock notes, preparation of trial info, assisting with the planting and harvesting of trials.  Merchandise – serving customers at the counter, ordering stock.  Livestock Processing – completing the odd rebate sales.  General – answering phone inquiries.

Have your expectations been met?

Yes, absolutely and then some.

What is the most interesting thing that you have learnt about working in a corporate environment?

It is interesting that those with the power for change in the company (shareholders) have such little knowledge and connection with the customers (clients).  It is an interesting contrast to what I imagine business to have been like 50-100 years ago when the customer and the company owner interacted directly with each other more often and communication was much simpler as a consequence.

What challenges have you faced working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

Navigating around the network e.g. knowing who is going to be of most help for fulfilling queries.

What benefits have you got out of working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

A large benefit is definitely having access to a large network of experienced people who are openly willing to share their knowledge.  

What is the most interesting project that you have worked on?

Albury/Rand district paddock trials, in particular the Precision Ag trials.

Other comments/ feedback/ suggestions are welcome. – Please add them below.

The graduate agronomy program is an excellent way to start new agronomists into the business.  Having a range of allocated supervisors and mentors is great for graduates as it provides grads with a broad range of people to talk to.  Having two programs, one specifically directed towards agronomy is an ideal mix, as it provides grads with a valuable skill set whilst at the same time they are still able to learn plenty about the rest of the business.  All in all I really enjoyed the program.

 
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What job are you doing now that you have finished the graduate program?

Now that I have finished the graduate program I have moved into a Merchandise Sales / Nutrition role in Skipton.

Which areas within the business have you been exposed to so far?

During the graduate program my rotations gave me experience in Merchandise/Fertilizer, Agronomy, Wool, Livestock, Real Estate and Finance.

What have you enjoyed the most about working at AWB/Landmark?

The thing that I have enjoyed the most about working at Landmark is the ability to deal with farmers on a daily basis and help solve the problems that they face. The relationships that you build with your clients makes work a pleasure.

How have you found the AWB/Landmark culture?

The culture at Landmark is second to none. Landmark has a remarkable network of people right around Australia. You know that if you need you can pick up the phone and ask any question.

What is the one achievement that you have been most proud of?

One achievement that occurred during the graduate that I am most proud of would have to be going through the Livestock Auctioneering School in Ballarat. It was something that I never pictured myself doing but once I did it was very rewarding.

How have you been able assist in the operations of AWB/landmark during your rotations?

During my rotations I have been able to assist each of my rotation managers. Anything from Unloading trucks to doing recommendations and organising Field trials. Every thing you do helps and you get to learn a lot while you’re at it.

Have your expectations been met?

My expectations have certainly been met. Before I put my name down for the program I wasn’t sure what area of Agribusiness I wanted to get involved in. The Graduate allowed me to get knowledge in each area which is important and make it clearer as to where I wanted to head with my agribusiness career.

What is the most interesting thing that you have learnt about working in a corporate environment?

The most interesting thing that I have learnt about working in a corporate environment would have to be the degree of professionalism that is required working at this level. Everything you do is required to be in line with company standards.

What challenges have you faced working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

Learning the details and the range of products and services that Landmark provides to its clients was a challenge and still is, as the products and services are constantly changing. As we are the ones that our clients look to we must be up to date with the most recent innovations in every aspect in agriculture.

What benefits have you got out of working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?

I have got to work in locations all around Victoria. Every location you move too you travel extensively right around the district. Working for Landmark gives you so many areas to choose from. There are always courses you can do. The opportunities are endless.

What is the most interesting project that you have worked on?

The most interesting project that I have worked on was setting up some seed treatment trials near Albury. We had to treat the seed our selves and figure out the way in which we wanted to lay the trials out and then sow. I had to monitor the trials and record the progress.

Other comments/ feedback/ suggestions are welcome. – Please add them below.

The graduate program is a fantastic experience in which you learn all about agribusiness and yourself. It gives you in depth knowledge of all Landmarks enterprises whilst letting you travel around Australia. You get to meet a great network of people and build life long friendships.

 
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Name:	Zoe McInnes
Position title:	AM Agronomist (was a cadet)
Team Location:	Pittsworth QLD (originally Toowoomba)
Degree & University:	Bachelor of Ag Science with Hons

What job are you doing now that you have finished the graduate program?
I am now a broad acre agronomist based at Pittsworth.  I did not major in agronomy at uni nor did I think I would be following this as a career path but after trying out everything through the cadetship I now see my future in agronomy.

Which areas within the business have you been exposed to so far?
Through the cadetship I spent time in merchandise, livestock, real estate, finance and agronomy.

What have you enjoyed the most about working at AWB/Landmark?
The people!  Landmark is a great group of people to work with and as a graduate you receive the highest amount of support.  I was exposed to a variety of people with a variety of skills and backgrounds- there was something to learn from every one of them and now via the landmark network I can call on them for further information and advice.
 

How have you found the AWB/Landmark culture?
Friendly, team environment, a focus on personal and professional development. 
 

What is the one achievement that you have been most proud of?
Being part of a team and being relied upon to make decision and perform my job so that the team functions efficiently.  

How have you been able assist in the operations of AWB/landmark during your rotations?
I have run our merchandise section while our account managers have been out at a field day which is a huge responsibility.  I have also processed cattle sales which is a huge accomplishment considering the complexity of the computer system.
 

Have your expectations been met?
Yes- but only because I got in and tried everything, dismissing my preconceptions of a rotation.

What is the most interesting thing that you have learnt about working in a corporate environment?
The most interesting thing about the corporate environment and the cadetship is that there are so many people, high up in the chain watching your progression through the graduate program.  However at times it is also a realisation that there are far bigger problems in the company then you moving from one branch to another. 

What challenges have you faced working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?
At times it is challenging working with people that have been in the business and the company for most of their adult life.  Some people can make you feel in superior and useless compared to there years of experience. 

What benefits have you got out of working in a business the size of AWB/Landmark?
The knowledge of all landmark employees.  Although some older employees can be difficult to work with, some can be a book full of knowledge just waiting to pass it on.

What is the most interesting project that you have worked on?
A large two day all breeds bull sale.  We had three computers and two printers processing the sale.  It was mad and chaotic but the adrenaline rush made it worthwhile.

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