Brendan’s First Year as a Qantas Graduate

Looking to the future with the Network Strategy Team  

My first rotation at Qantas was within the Network Strategy team, where I actively contributed to various tasks, such as competitor and industry analysis. It was satisfying to see the work I had contributed launched into action, allowing me to see the real-world effects of my work. This confirmed that at Qantas, the contributions of a Graduate are utilised and appreciated. 

Exploring the operational side: The world of airports  

My second rotation took me to the bustling world of airport operations. It was incredible to get an insight into the intricate workings of an airline on a daily basis. This experience allowed me to appreciate each function's crucial role in ensuring smooth operations, from check-in counters to baggage handling, airport traffic management to ground crew coordination. This rotation was really eye-opening, and it was honestly awesome to get out of the office and experience the core function of Qantas: getting planes in the sky to deliver passengers to their destination.  

Fostering innovation: The 'Shark Tank' challenge  

One standout experience from my first year was the very first Qantas Graduate 'Shark Tank' challenge. This collaborative project brought my grad cohort together to tackle a real-world problem the airline was experiencing. Our challenge was developing creative solutions that could be realistically implemented and presenting them to a panel of the company's senior leaders.  

Over an intense week, we engaged with stakeholders, conducted research, and refined our ideas for the final presentation, which included an intensive Q&A with the panel about the feasibility of the idea. This experience tested our creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, highlighting Qantas' commitment to developing graduates.  

Looking back on the year as a Qantas Graduate 

My first year at Qantas has been an incredible journey filled with varied experiences, learning, and growth. From helping shape the airline's future with the Network Strategy team to gaining a deeper understanding of airport operations and participating in the 'Shark Tank' challenge, each experience has contributed to an exciting career at Qantas.  

To prospective graduates considering a future at Qantas, my story is proof of the opportunities and exciting challenges that await you. If I had to give anyone applying one piece of advice, it would be to do your own research about Qantas to show your passion and interest in aviation. This will really help make you an ideal candidate.