westpac group

Lachlan

I’m Lachlan, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Business graduate program. I studied a Bachelor of Business (majoring in Marketing) at Western Sydney University and in my spare time I love to play basketball and get in the kitchen to cook for my friends and family.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

I’m a part of the Business Division, who are responsible for looking after SME, commercial, agribusiness and private wealth customers across the Westpac Group. We work with a massive variety of customers, from small family-owned businesses to complex commercial entities.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

In my marketing degree, I had developed a keen interest in the role and importance of the customer experience in business. I applied to the Westpac Graduate Program because I was drawn to the significant role that the bank played in the lives of so many Australians. In the business division, we have the opportunity to positively impact the experiences of customers and this is the leading reason for why I chose to join this area.

I also wanted to work for a company that was invested in my development and where I had room to grow professionally. Given my interests in a variety of different areas, it was important to find somewhere where I could explore and expand on my interests and skills. Westpac was the natural choice for me.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked

So far, I have worked in the Business Chief Transformation Office, which is responsible for delivering innovative change across the division to support our bankers, deliver great experiences for our business customers and help Westpac Group to become a simpler organisation.

I started my first rotation in the Strategy & Design team, who are responsible for shaping and designing the implementation of the strategic initiatives for the business division. In this role, I had the opportunity to work on the design of the digital offering for our microbusiness segment, as well as scoping and managing opportunities for cost reduction across the division. This rotation allowed me to engage with teams across the business division in customer engagement, digital, cash management and business lending.

In my current rotation I am working in the Process Simplification team, who support the business division by improving products, processes and systems to make a difference for customers. I am currently responsible for driving a project to design and implement a tool for our commercial bankers to measure and plan their customer acquisition strategy. This project has allowed me to work with our capability, digital and customer engagement teams – I have even had the opportunity to shadow a commercial business banker to better understand their role.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

One of my key projects that I worked on involved examining the existing end-to-end journey for our microbusiness customers. In this project, my team compiled together analyses, data and strategy to make recommendations on a new digital offering to better serve our microbusiness customers; with the project ultimately being presented to the head of our division! I am also part of The Youth Network, where I was involved in the committee that oversaw the brand redesign for the group.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The connections that I have made in the graduate program have been amazing. I have had the opportunity to connect and collaborate with so many unique, driven people so far. Leaders and peers have made themselves available to share their professional journey and advice, as well as showing a genuine interest in my goals and development. There is a great graduate community who put on plenty of events like recreational sport, trivia and social drinks. The graduate program has given me friendships that I will treasure for a long time.

I also was surprised at the level of influence that I have been granted in my role as a grad. I have worked on projects that have gone directly to the most senior levels of the organisation and been given end-to-end accountability for initiatives that see me engage directly with stakeholders across the business. From my first day, I have been given the opportunity to do work that will have meaningful impacts on the organisation and our customers.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

I love the spirit of community that is present here at Westpac. Whether it is the support that you are offered from your peers and leaders, the passion for helping customers or the culture of community involvement - it is noticeable how the Westpac Group is built on a strong sense of community.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Whilst all relevant, I think the value that resonates most with my grad experience has been ‘Helpful’. My teams have been directly responsible for helping both our customers and bankers, such as our work in redesigning and streamlining of the credit decisioning process. My senior leaders and co-workers have lived the ‘Helpful’ value through their support and investment in my development, and I have empowered to employ a service mindset in my approach to work.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

In the future, I am looking forward to continuing working in the CTO to help drive Westpac’s strategy to becoming a simpler, stronger bank. I am also looking forward to engaging in a Jawun secondment, where I can share the skills, I have learnt from my role with Westpac with an Indigenous community organisation.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I’m a Business Division grad, but I love to cook.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Dynamic. Connected. Customer-Focused.

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Curious. Challenging. Accountable.

westpac group

Grace

I’m Grace, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Corporate and Institutional Banking graduate program.

I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (International) majoring in Finance and International Business at UNSW and in my spare time I love running with my dog and getting active in the gym.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

The Corporate and Institutional Bank (CIB) provides large corporate and institutional players in the market with bespoke debt financing solutions. The coverage and product teams undertake extensive industry analysis to support customers with their business growth objectives.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I applied to the CIB graduate program to explore my interest in financial services and learn from specialised teams and individuals with extensive sector experience.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

I am currently rotating through the CIB Business Controls and Monitoring team which helps drive a strong, embedded culture of risk management in the bank. We deal with the identification, reporting and management of incidents within the bank in accordance with policy framework. This has been a huge regulatory focus across all banks in Australia and serves a fundamental role in the integrity of the financial services industry.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

There has been an overall uplift in risk management across the bank. An ongoing project my team has been involved with is maintaining hygiene of our controls and incident remediation. Having this project recognised by senior stakeholders in the business has been rewarding for our team.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The highlight of my graduate program has been making friends within my stream and the wider Westpac Group cohort. I had the opportunity to share my rotation with another graduate and it has been a rewarding experience for both of us to work together and learn more about the business.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

I love the flexibility of work arrangements offered to employees by Westpac Group. Splitting my time working from home and in the office has been crucial to maintaining a balanced lifestyle for me.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Leading Change and Performing are values that resonate with me the most as a graduate. Having a fresh perspective in the industry as a young professional has meant that I am encouraged to identify areas where processes can be improved and how we can better deliver outcomes to our clients.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

CIB offers many areas/projects for graduates to work across. I am excited to work in the products space and collaborating with stakeholders across the business to provide tailored financing solutions for our clients.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I have always had a passion for arts and literature throughout my high school and tertiary study. One of the greatest benefits of the humanities is understanding society from a critical perspective. Although working in this line of business requires a degree of analytical ability, dealing with the big picture and having clear articulation of the situation at hand is an important skill to have.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Relationship-driven, dynamic and adaptive

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Fun, impactful and collaborative

westpac group

Kevin

I’m Kevin, former 2019 Summer Intern and now a 2021 Graduate and part of the Corporate and Institutional Banking graduate program. I studied a combined Bachelor of Commerce/Engineering at the University of Sydney and in my spare time I love catching up with friends and playing tennis.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Corporate and Institutional banking essentially helps some of our larger clients in meeting their funding needs to grow and undertake different projects. This can be done in many different ways, tailored to the client’s needs, whether through traditional debt raising, or through products such as receivables finance, asset finance, or structured finance.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

Having previously interned with Westpac in their Business bank, the friendly and collaborative culture of the bank really stood out to me. CIB stood out in particular because it’s a fast-paced, client facing side of the bank, and it deals with a huge range of clients across all industries.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

I’ve rotated through the healthcare industry coverage team, and with the ongoing pandemic, this was a very exciting industry with plenty of activity in the market. In this team, we perform financial and credit analysis for customers within the healthcare industry, ranging from aged care facilities to medical device companies. Furthermore, we work closely with product teams on transactions, tailoring them to suit the needs of the customers.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

During my rotation in the healthcare coverage team, I was able to work on a deal for a large medical device company that was looking to raise debt for an upcoming project. This was particularly exciting because coming from a biomedical engineering background, we had interacted with and learnt a lot about this company from an engineering design perspective, and this project allowed me to find out how things worked from the funding side.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

A highlight of the graduate program is being able to meet people from all parts of the business. There are regular grad events, from the standard Friday night drinks, to social events on the weekends, so there’s plenty of opportunities to meet grads from other parts of the bank.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

One of the things I love about Westpac Group is the people I work with, who are incredibly warm and supportive. Something I’ve noticed about Westpac is that everyone is very approachable and happy to have a chat, even if they’re a lot more senior or in a completely different business area.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

The value that resonates with me the most is definitely ‘Helpful’. I really do believe that banking in intrinsically a people business, and helping clients succeed is at the forefront of what we do. Even as a grad, I’ve been able to work on projects where I’m feel like I’m a value add to the team.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

Because of COVID, most of the client meetings we’ve had are virtual, and something I’m excited for in the post-Grad Program is being able to have face-to-face meetings with clients.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

Although I came from an Engineering background, I’m working in CIB!

Please describe your business area in three words.

Exciting, unpredictable, fulfilling.

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Fun, learning, engaging

westpac group

Trina

I’m Trina, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Consumer Banking graduate program.

I studied Commerce and Media at UNSW and outside of work I enjoy rock climbing and finding new places to eat.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Consumer Banking involves everything that happens between the customer and the bank. Our objective is to optimise the customer journey process and remove customer pain points along the way.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I wanted to be part of a community where I can learn and grow with like-minded people with the objective of helping Australians succeed. I joined consumer banking as this area will allow me to do so – it will provide me with the opportunity to better understand customers and in return, improve their overall experience with the bank.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

My first rotation was in Customer Care. I was exposed to our front-line branch network of bankers and customers. During my time in this rotation, I helped to review the processes we have in place for our customers going through key life moments, worked with strategists to revolutionise our current processes and identify ways in which we can deliver a seamless customer journey experience.

I am currently doing a product manager rotation within the Everyday Banking Line of Business. Their function is to improve our product offerings for different types of customers and assist them in building their wealth and manage their finances in better ways.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

I drove improving a reporting process within the Customer Care team which has been monumental in assisting the team in improving their efficiency and reducing their workload significantly.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

Being involved in meaningful projects that has the potential to change and improve Australian lives has been a rewarding part of the graduate experience.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

All of the people I’ve met have stayed within the Group for a significant amount of time. I believe this speaks about the culture of the Group – the vast range of opportunities offered within the Group means that you will always be able to a grow and continuously challenge yourself!

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Leading Change resonates with me the most. As grads, we are in a unique position to be able to provide the Group with a fresh perspective that can help improve existing processes. Being given the opportunity to utilise this position has been a very rewarding experience for me.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

I’m not sure yet but I am excited to discover more of what the Group has to offer.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I work in consumer banking and I enjoy drawing.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Exciting, fast-paced, lively

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Welcoming, unpredictable, rewarding

westpac group

Maren

I’m Maren, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Digital & Marketing Graduate Program.

“I studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) at The University of Sydney and on weekends I love to head to the beach for a swim.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

The Digital & Marketing stream is broadly split into a Digital-, and a Marketing division.

Generally speaking, the Marketing division focuses on understanding consumer behaviour and the market environment in order to enhance customer experience and product/ service offering. There are different teams that feed into this overarching goal and that work closely together to deliver key marketing activities. Core marketing activities include: market research and identifying customer needs & wants, formulating strategies upon these insights, designing product/ service offerings, customer testing, and advertising creation. A big part of what we all do is optimisation – tracking and enhancing our offers, services, advertisements, and overall customer experience.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I first decided to apply to the Westpac Grad program after hearing about the company’s great culture and development opportunities from previous grads. I was eager to kick start my career in an inclusive and stimulating environment, with a company that invests in their employees and the broader community – Westpac ticked all those boxes for me.
I chose to apply to the Digital & Marketing stream as it best aligned with my interest and background in Marketing and Psychology.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

I have just completed my first rotation in the Branding and Advertising team and am about to start my next rotation in Market Research & Design. While working with the Brand and Advertising team I was given the opportunity to co-lead multiple advertising campaigns across Everyday Banking and Housing for both print and digital channels. I was also involved in managing brand partnerships and brand governance.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

One of my favourite projects so far has been the MECCA x Westpac brand partnership. Throughout my time on this project, I managed the distribution of MECCA gift cards to local Westpac branches with the aim of enhancing in-branch customer experience by creating a surprise & delight moment for those opening a new account. I learnt a lot about stakeholder management, brand partnerships and our national branch system.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The highlight of the graduate program is the grad cohort – everyone is inclusive and fun. There are lots of opportunities for you to mingle with your fellow grads, whether that be at one of the Graduate Learning Sessions or over a drink after work. You’ll always have someone to talk to and to motivate you.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

I think it’s great how Westpac stands by its values and encourages community involvement. Within my first few months, my team and I took our annual volunteering leave and spent the day working with Little Wings in Bankstown. It was a great opportunity to learn about our partnerships, to give back to the community and also provided a chance to bond with my colleagues.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

As a graduate I resonate best with the final HELP value – Performing and Simple. My team always encourage me to challenge the way things are done and to bring in a fresh, objective perspective. It has been a great learning opportunity to audit current processes and identify how things can be simplified to enhance performance.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

I am excited to learn more about Data Analytics and am eager to deepen my understanding of consumer behaviour.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I am a CDMO Grad but am passionate about sports.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Data meets creativity.

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Exciting, immersive, challenging.

westpac group

Praneet

I’m Praneet, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Finance & Accounting graduate program.

I studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney and in my spare time I love playing sport.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

The Finance team spans across various divisions in Westpac and helps to manage the company’s performance and continuously works with different areas to both maintain and grow the business.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I applied to Westpac Group as I felt it was a great place to start my career. The company also provides a great culture to its employees, and it would allow me to make a tangible difference to everyday Australians. I decided on the Finance & Accounting Business area as I am interested in driving the strategic direction of the bank and making meaningful changes.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

I am currently in my first rotation which is Finance Program & Change Delivery and it involved working alongside various Finance & Technology teams. The role requires engagement with stakeholders across the business to transfer information but also to ensure requirements and timelines are met for the projects in the bank.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

Due to an upcoming deadline, we had graduates from different teams come across to one external area and assisted them in completing their task. For me, this was a very exciting opportunity where I got the chance to work with different people across the business and make a valuable contribution which led to the completion of the project on time.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The highlight of the graduate program so far has been meeting the many different and interesting people within Westpac.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

My favourite aspect of the Westpac Group is the people that I have met and their willingness to help.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

The Ethical value resonates with me as I believe it is extremely important to preface decisions with this in mind because it leads to the best outcome for both the customers and the bank.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

I am interested in applying my skills to strategy development to drive change in the bank as I believe it will be both engaging and rewarding.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I’m a Finance & Accounting Grad but I am someone who is very physically active.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Stakeholders, Value, Change

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Unique, Challenging, Rewarding.

westpac group

Thuy

I’m Thuy, former 2019 Summer Intern and now a 2021 Graduate, part of the Financial Markets & Treasury program.

I studied Commerce and Law at Macquarie University. On the weekends I enjoy going out to eat with my family and playing volleyball and frisbee with my friends.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Financial Markets manages Westpac’s relationship with clients from governments to institutions from a finance perspective. FM facilitates the sale and trading of financial products, such as foreign exchange, debt and derivatives. We also provide insightful research to our clients on the future of the Australian economy in our Economics and Strategy teams.

Treasury manages Westpac’s balance sheet, to ensure the bank has enough money to fund its operations and to keep our deposits safe. Through its funding practices, Treasury is exposed to, and therefore manages, our interest rate risk, FX risk and liquidity risk.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I applied for FM&T because I wanted to challenge myself and try something new and exciting.

What I love about the grad program is that you get to rotate through 4 completely different teams, so you are always learning and expanding your skills.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

I have rotated through Treasury and Debt Capital Markets (DCM). Both teams are very different but complement each other nicely.

Treasury funds Westpac’s balance sheet. It can do this in several ways, including onshore and offshore bond issuance. DCM represents clients, such as Westpac Treasury, as well as the government, other banks and corporates, to raise money in the debt market. DCM provides expertise in the bond market such as pricing and investor interest.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The highlight of the Westpac Program is definitely the constant support you receive from your managers and colleagues. As part of the FM&T program, you are assigned a grad manager, mentor, and buddy (who was a grad the year before you) to help you with any questions you may have / guide you through the year.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

The culture/people – everyone is super lovely, happy to chat & answer your questions!

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Helpful – I think one of the most important values to have, especially as a grad, is to be helpful!

Everyone is looking out for you and your learning during the grad year so it’s important to return the favour and help wherever you can!

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

I can’t wait to settle into my future role at Westpac – even though I’m not sure where that is just yet!

Westpac is well known for celebrating diversity and empowering women – this is something I’d love to be involved with.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I’m in FM&T but I studied law and have no experience in Finance or with trading.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Dynamic, thought-provoking, exciting

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Best year yet!

westpac group

Sahan

I’m Sahan, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Risk graduate program.

“I studied a Master of Actuarial Practice at Macquarie University and in my spare time I love a balance of exercise, learning, binge watching shows/movies, and finding the best coffee, food, and bars in Sydney.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Being in Risk is a unique role as it impacts every aspect of the organisation at every level.

The role of Risk is to quantify uncertainty, protect the bank against adverse events, and more generally ensure day to day operations are in line with a certain risk appetite and do not impact the financial soundness of the bank in the short and long term.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

After researching the company, the various social initiatives Westpac employees are involved in, and the programs Westpac supports, it was easy to see that Westpac is an organisation which cares about their employees and takes social responsibility very seriously.

The level of support and opportunity to learn seemed vast, and being in the program, I can attest to that.

There’s a lot of investment in your future and you really are given the tools to succeed.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

Credit Card Fraud Analytics- Working within this team was quite different to anything I studied, and it really challenged my problem-solving skills and ability to make inferences based on data.

There is no right or wrong answer, and you really are required to think creatively to develop solutions to protect the groups customer base in a meaningful way.

During my time here, I learnt about fraud detection and mitigation measures using analytics and contributed to the development of a scam identification and reporting framework.

I was trusted to work with multiple stakeholders, including the Fraud operations team, on the delivery of a project which was an invaluable opportunity to understand what is involved in implementing change.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

Within my current rotation in Consumer Finance Credit, I will be contributing to the review of a model used in the approval process, accounting for different customer and group considerations which promises to be an interesting and challenging experience.

Seeing how data is used in a decisioning model constrained by a set credit policy and various regulations provides great insight into how Risk impacts the primary function of the bank in lending.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

Being able to learn from and interact with people across numerous Risk divisions.

The program is a great opportunity to learn from others, see what they do, and find your calling while getting to experience different parts of the bank.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

The culture.

The guidance and advice I’ve received has been invaluable, and I’ve met some incredibly intelligent and funny people who have been extremely welcoming and supportive.

You really are encouraged to bring new ideas to the table and your input is valued.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Leading Change

Through my rotations so far, it is evident each team is committed to improving the way things are done to ultimately do the best they can, and be the best at what they do.

A memorable piece of advice given to us during our orientation was when David Burroughs spoke and mentioned having a mindset of (to paraphrase) “what am I going to bring today” as opposed to “what do I have to do today”.

David Stephen also spoke to us and mentioned (to paraphrase again) “no one wakes up wanting to be the second or third best, it’s uninspiring”.

These takeaways align with my mentality of always challenging myself to be the best I can be, and to use my knowledge and skills to add value.

They also speak to the type of environment Westpac aims to cultivate and the type of organisation Westpac aims to be in making it better and better in the interests of achieving its underlying purpose.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

Through the interactions I’ve had with others and different training sessions I’ve gone through, I’ve realised a role which blends Risk, Economics, and Finance resonates with my interests the most.

There’s a few different divisions I’m curious to explore but at this point, it’s still too early to say.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I’m driven to understand the mechanics of how things work and why something is the way it is.

It leads you to a life of learning and forever questioning why things are the way they are, and how they can be better.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Objective, dynamic, challenging

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Supportive, insightful, rewarding

The program really is the best platform to branch out, launch your career, and take charge of where you want to be in the future.

westpac group

Melissa

I’m Melissa, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Technology graduate program.

I studied IT and Innovation at UTS, and on the weekends/in my spare time I love taking some time out to go to the gym, experiment in the kitchen, and hang out with my friends and family closest to me.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Tech covers all things technology within Westpac group. It’s one of Westpac’s biggest business areas, with over 900 teams. Anything you can think of – they probably do it. From network security, to technology risk management, architecture, infrastructure, to agile ways of working, to software and application development; they have a range of functions. Tech is the entire back-end of the bank, keeping Westpac’s systems, applications, and banking services running 24/7.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

Since studying IT, I always knew I wanted to land somewhere in the technology field, I just wasn’t sure where specifically. Westpac’s tech grad role allows their grads to experience four different rotations all over technology. The chance to get a feel for what I might like regardless of my previous experience or prior knowledge (e.g. I can do a rotation in a technical role even if I have no past technical experience) was the main reason I wanted to take on this grad role. Essentially, it’s giving me a chance to figure out what I’d like to do. I was also lucky enough to have worked part-time with Westpac before undertaking this role. Having known the culture and ways of working that Westpac promote, it was an easy decision to want to stay here and develop my career.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

Currently I’m still in my first rotation with Westpac. This role is based on Agile transformation in the technology sector – more specifically trying to reach all of the tech teams and converting them to an Agile way of working. There are about 900 tech teams and so far we have an adoption rate of about 40%. We work a lot with the teams and engage in an active Agile Community of Practice.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

I’m a part of quite a few Employee Engagement Groups – these are super engaging as there are plenty of sessions and networking events to attend (even virtually!). Soon I’ll be attending the full day Women of Westpac Summit, where there will be speakers and insightful sessions and networking opportunities all in the same day. These are some really amazing opportunities to take part in!

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

The network of people I’ve met is amazing! I was reluctant starting a graduate program being mostly working from home, but I’ve still made invaluable connections and friendships here at Westpac.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

The people I’ve met at Westpac have all been nothing but amazing. Not just in my team and close networks, but everyone I’ve come across! You can quite literally start a conversation with anyone and they’ll be more than happy to have a chat with you (and go for coffee!).

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

I would say ‘Performing’ resonates with me most. As a grad, you might think that people will be with you every step of the way to help get your tasks done. While you’re be surrounded by a team of people who are always happy to help where help is needed, this value emphasises the importance of taking accountability for yourself and your decisions. I have learned to not ask for approval every step of the way if it is not necessary, and I am transparent with everything I’m working on (and if I need any help).

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

After working in an Agile transformation team, I would love to get more hands on with Agile ways of working as a Scrum Master. I would love to be able to help teams and people to create a psychologically safe team with a great work/life balance, all while getting the work done.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I’m a tech grad, but I absolutely adore the creative arts and abstract ways of thinking.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Cross-functional, integrated, innovative.

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Enlightening, supportive, always-learning.

I’ve been having a great time so far as a tech grad and have definitely (in my short time being a grad) got far more of an idea of where I would like to be in the future! I am also constantly learning new things which has been another huge highlight!

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Rianna

I’m Rianna, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Technology graduate program.

I studied a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Master of Biomedical Engineering at UNSW and during the weekends/in my spare time I love to climb (mainly bouldering) both indoors and outdoors.

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Technology is the business area that utilises a broad range of technology to support the different arms of the business. Since technology underpins all our operations, technology has the important role of simplifying and improving existing processes to support customers as well as internal functions within the bank.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

Westpac really appealed to me for three primary reasons; the first would be that the purpose and values of the organisation really resonated with me. Secondly, the support of women internal and external to the organisation – exemplified through strong female leadership and the Ruby Connection Community. Finally, for the organisations willingness to help and support the community – through environmental initiatives and the Westpac choppers.

I chose to apply for the Technology Graduate stream because I’m intrigued by the various applications and developments of technology within the world of finance. As technology becomes ever present within our lives, I think it’s interesting to learn about how technology can be leveraged to provide seamless experiences for both internal and external stakeholders.

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

My current rotation is within the Reporting and Streaming team under the Open Banking Program that falls under Westpac’s Data Platforms. To provide a bit of context, Open Banking is a program that gives consumers the ability to share their banking data with various third parties such as banks and fintechs. During this rotation I have been working with big data in the context of Open Banking – this has involved building data pipelines, completing data analysis, reporting and dashboarding to help the business understand how consumers are using their data.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

As part of the Graduate Committee, we have an arm called GradWrap that creates a magazine every few months. I volunteered to become a writer for GradWrap because I enjoy researching and writing pieces that have the intent to intrigue the reader. We recently released our first edition, and I had a great time working on it because I was able to collaborate with a diverse team. We also have the opportunity to write about what we are passionate about, so for my first article I decided to write about social media addiction and the attention economy because I’m intrigued by how human interaction is impacted by technology.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

Some of the highlights of the graduate program would have to be the various learning opportunities that I’ve been exposed to. They can take the form of volunteering, through different employee action groups or professionally within your rotation and teams. Another highlight would have to be establishing a good network within the organisation, making friends through the graduate program and learning from each other as well as having mentors who provide guidance as you begin to carve out your career.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

One thing that I love about Westpac would have to be the people and sense of community. This has been a really important aspect of work as I’ve felt very supported throughout the opportunities and projects that I have been engaged in. Because of the supportive network I’ve established, it has also led to many different learning opportunities enabling me to pursue things that have both aided my personal development and enabled me to give back.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

For me, the value Leading Change most resonates with me. Working within Technology, I think we have the capacity to make tangible change and to leverage tools and technology to advance the way that we support internal and external stakeholders. Applying this value in a personal context, I would say that I’m always willing to take on various opportunities such that I can challenge myself. I believe taking up a range of opportunities helps one to develop in many facets and I’m always looking to learn and gain personal/professional development while giving back in any way that I can.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

In the future, I would really love to explore the opportunities available in the Information Security Group as well as the Robotics and Automation team. Working in a financial institution; security and the protection of confidential data and information is critical in everything that we do, and I believe that it is an area that is growing in demand. As for robotics and automation, I think it would be extremely interesting to learn how Westpac leverages machine learning and bots to automate and simplify some of the processes and workflow that exist within the bank.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

Although I’ve studied quite a technical degree in engineering and am in the Technology stream, I would say that I’m quite a creative individual. I really enjoy photography and taking/creating videos in my spare time as well as sketching from time to time.

Please describe your business area in three words.

Disruption; fast-paced; innovative

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Growth; stimulating; supportive

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Todd

I’m Todd, a 2021 Graduate and part of the Transformation graduate program.

“I studied Psychology & Sociology at USYD and on the weekends I lead Australian soldiers as a Lieutenant in the Army Reserves.”

Explain what your business area does or their function within the group.

Transformation takes what we do today and aligns it with the needs of tomorrow. Whether it’s improving existing processes, creating new services, or delivering projects, people in Transformation are agents for innovation and change. We strive to make people’s experience easier, simpler, and better.

Why did you apply for a graduate role at Westpac Group, and why your chosen business area?

I’m not a finance or business guy. I studied Arts and Science. When I reflected on what I wanted at the beginning of my career, I wanted to leverage the size of the company I worked for to gain experience in different fields, create a strong professional foundation and work with people I could respect.

Choosing Transformation was the conduit to all of those things – it offers exposure to all areas of Westpac. I’m learning about fields like Change Management and Human Centred Design with great people, and everything we do has an impact on potentially millions of Australians (even better).

To date: please provide an overview of the rotation(s) you have completed and, if cross functional, which business areas/groups you have worked in

For my current rotation I’ve been largely working in Strategy & Planning for ATMs, looking at how to transform daily operations, and the broader strategic outcomes we want to achieve in that space. It involves everything from engaging 3rd party vendors and adjacent projects to mapping different customer journeys through our back-of-house IT architecture.

To date: has there been a project you have been involved in that you found particularly exciting or engaging?

Working on the Business Continuity Plan for my area, I was responsible for reviewing and renewing the different plans for when something happens that interferes with core business processes across the Office (like a building fire, floods or a pandemic). We looked at how each area would continue to function during or after the event, with our planning directly impacting hundreds of people during a potential crisis. As a (very) junior employee this was a fantastic experience that gave me ownership over a task and enabled me to engage with key leaders – an experience I wouldn’t normally have.

So far, what has been the highlight of the graduate program?

Definitely the people. Totally the people. Everyone I’ve met so far has been genuinely welcoming. I’ve loved hearing people’s stories, background, motivations and they’ve been extremely generous with advice, not just professional, but in relation to who I want to be, where I want to go and what I want to do.

What is one thing you love about Westpac Group?

It’s belief in Service. Not just in the Group but more broadly. For myself, within 6 weeks of working at Westpac, I was able to take a fortnight of paid leave, no questions asked, to provide relief to flood victims as part of the Army Reserve. That’s just one example and there’s plenty more.

Which of our five values – Helpful, Ethical, Leading Change, Performing and Simple – resonates with you most, in terms of your role as a Westpac Group Grad, and why?

Definitely Leading Change. Beyond my role in Transformation (which is focused on leading change), as a Grad I represent both the future of the organisation and the culture that’s it working towards.

What role/area/project are you excited to get involved in post-Grad Program?

There are honestly so many things I don’t know right now – across the organisation, in Transformation and even all the skills I want to learn. That in itself is exciting.

With that in mind, my current goal is to be a sponge and absorb as much as I can. Then, once I complete the program, to be part of a team that challenges my thinking, pushes my skills, and works together to create value for everyday people at scale.

What is unique about your ‘Uncommon Mind’?

I work in Transformation but I love history, mythology and ancient things (ruins, old books, and things with a story).

Please describe your business area in three words.

Fast-paced, forward-thinking, people-centred.

Please sum up your Grad experience (to date) in three words.

Engaging, enjoyable, rewarding.

Give it a go, you won’t regret it.

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