Graduating from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Human Resource Management and Psychology in Society, Freya dove right into her first rotation with the People and Capability team within Ventia’s largest sector, Defence & Social Infrastructure in February 2024.
During this 6-month period, Freya was able to take the lead on improving the onboarding process for our Defence business unit, manage an event for ANZAC day, refresh position descriptions and shadow key team members to enhance her learning overall.
Not only did she work on a Defence base, but she also visited 15 sites in her first year alone!
It was awesome. I got to witness firsthand how my work was making an impact, and those visits really put everything into perspective.
A standout moment for Freya was her involvement with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, where she submitted an application for the Veteran Employment Commitment. Thanks in part to her hard work, Ventia was awarded ‘Employer of Choice’, shining a light on the company’s dedication to supporting Veterans.
Visiting the Sydney Harbour Tunnel Office: Freya Olsen, Aaron Reid, Joanne Lynch, Nathan Ross.
The real adventure, though, came when Freya had the opportunity to relocate from Perth to Sydney. “It was a huge decision; moving away from family was hard,” she admits.
The support I received from Ventia was amazing, they provided me with so much help throughout the entire relocation process and checked in regularly to make sure I was settling in alright.
Freya is currently undergoing her third and final rotation as part of the program, working within the People Services team. This team is responsible for pre-employment and onboarding, contract mobilisations, employee movements, right to work and visa compliance, global mobility and administering the Apprenticeship and Traineeship program.
Freya's manager, Programs & Governance Team Lead Jennifer Almelor highlights how the diverse rotations Freya has undertaken are setting her up for future success.
With lots more to learn about and gain exposure to within the People Services portfolio, this rotation is set to serve as a solid foundation for Freya’s professional growth and development.
Freya has been encouraged to continually grow and share her ideas. “Freya brings with her a keen appetite to learn and grow, providing a fresh and innovative perspective to the work landscape,” says Jennifer.
Freya at her Graduate Induction week in Melbourne: Freya Olsen, Max McConville, Flynn Chambers, Cori Dawson.
Reflecting on her role as a mentor, Jennifer notes the learnings she has gained through managing a graduate.
By acknowledging the importance of adapting my leadership and training methods for individuals new to the corporate world, I have found that the program is a great reminder to ensure that their experience is inclusive and supporting, fostering growth and development.
Freya says her experience in the graduate program has been a whirlwind of learning and growth. With three different rotations under her belt, she has had the opportunity to test out different areas of HR and learn how Ventia operates across a range of sectors.
I feel like I have learned something valuable in each rotation and it’s helping me become a more effective part of my current team.
Her advice for future graduates
Say yes to everything, jump in and take the opportunities and make as many connections as possible. Ventia really encourages you to get involved, take on training and step outside of your comfort zone.
Freya Olsen and Nick Walker in the Ventia North Sydney office.
For more information on Ventia’s Graduate Program, visit our information page here.