Originally from New Zealand, Ricky moved to Australia in early 2025 to pursue new opportunities within the company. With a double major in marketing and strategic management from the University of Waikato, Ricky’s story is one of exploration, growth, and discovering unexpected passions along the way.
Ricky’s roots lie in Hamilton, New Zealand, a small town located an hour and a half from Auckland. While studying, Ricky began exploring different career options, initially considering trade roles before diving into a business degree. His journey with Ventia began after doing extensive research into the company, which was relatively unknown to him at the time. However, the more he learned, the more intrigued he became by Ventia’s broad portfolio of services. Ricky says one thing that drew him to Ventia was its unique graduate program offering.
Unlike many other programs, Ventia provided diverse rotations across different sectors, allowing me to experience various aspects of business management.
He says this was a crucial opportunity for him to explore his options and figure out where he wanted to focus his career.
In his first rotation, Ricky joined the Infrastructure Services team, working within the growth and strategy division. The role involved exploring new business opportunities, assisting with contract management, and developing strategies to expand the company’s reach. Ricky says he appreciated the dynamic nature of the work, with new contracts and projects emerging every week.
The cross-selling opportunities across sectors allowed me to understand how Ventia’s various business arms interconnect, which is expanding my knowledge of the industry.
The highlights of Ricky’s first rotation included being invited to leadership meetings and a site visit to a mining project in Melbourne, an experience he fondly remembers. "It was awesome to be involved in these high-level meetings and to see the company’s work on the ground," he reflects.
Bonding beyond the office: Ventia 2024 and 2023 cohorts enjoying lunch in Sydney.
Through his research, Ricky learned we are a major player in New Zealand's fibre infrastructure. However, what truly surprised him was the breadth of Ventia’s work across various industries. From defence and firefighting to supporting hospitals and critical infrastructure, Ricky realised just how expansive the company’s role is in society.
"I was shocked at the wide range of services Ventia provides, from defence to helping with hospitals. It was much broader than I initially thought," he shares.
When Ricky first entered the graduate program, he wasn't entirely sure what direction he wanted to take. Ventia’s program, however, helped him gain clarity. While Ricky’s background was in marketing, he found himself drawn to the human resources side of things during his rotations. His experiences at career expos and engaging with new talent opened his eyes to the potential of HR. Despite this, Ricky ultimately decided that marketing was where his passion lay, and Ventia played a crucial role in helping him realise that.
Ricky’s current manager, Digital Marketing Advisor Sarah Norbury says,
Having a graduate like Ricky, currently in his second-year rotation, brings invaluable experience from various sectors of the business and from New Zealand. The structure of our program, which includes three rotations, allows grads to gain diverse experiences across different locations, sectors, and disciplines—opportunities they may not find in other programs.
“Because of this structure, Ricky's fresh perspective has enriched our team and has been instrumental in shaping our strategies."
Through his second rotation in telecommunications, Ricky was exposed to advanced technology and cutting-edge projects. The telco space, he found, offered a world of innovation far beyond simple Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
"The work they do in telecommunications is so much more than just cell towers. They’re involved in radar technology and defence systems, among other things," Ricky explains, highlighting the vastness of our technological expertise.
Ricky Su and Abhay Joshi showing their support on International Women's Day!
Looking back on his experiences, Ricky has valuable advice for anyone considering applying for Ventia’s graduate program.
"Just do it," he says without hesitation. "It's an amazing opportunity to explore different parts of the business and figure out what you want to do."
His biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to reach out and network within the company. Ricky admits that when he first started, he was hesitant to engage with colleagues, but he quickly learned how open and supportive everyone at Ventia are.
"At first, I was nervous, but people at Ventia are incredibly welcoming. Don’t hesitate to reach out to others for help and guidance," he advises.
2024 Diversity Awards NZ at the Grand Millennium.
One of Ricky’s most significant takeaways from the program is the pride he feels in his accomplishments, particularly when it comes to his involvement with Ventia’s website and social media platforms. As part of his current role, Ricky updates project pages and news articles, helping showcase our work to the world.
It's a great feeling to know that something I’ve worked on is being seen and appreciated by so many people.
It’s moments like these that remind him of the meaningful impact he’s having within the company.
Ricky feels that the Ventia graduate program has shaped his early career in powerful ways. While he initially didn’t know exactly what path to follow, the variety of experiences he’s gained has helped him develop valuable skills in marketing, communications, and more.
"I’ve been learning a lot about platforms like Google Analytics and Adobe Experience Manager, which will definitely help me in the future," he says.
As for his future at Ventia, Ricky is optimistic. Although he knows there may be challenges ahead, he believes that Ventia’s diverse environment will continue to offer opportunities for growth, regardless of the specific role.
Welcoming the new leaders at the Ventia 2025 New Leader Welcoming Event.
I can definitely see myself growing with Ventia. It’s a company that offers so much diversity that even if they don’t have a specific role I want, I know I’ll be able to find another avenue to develop.
Ricky’s journey through Ventia’s graduate program has been transformative. From working in infrastructure services to exploring the cutting-edge technology in telecommunications, he’s gained valuable insights into different industries and discovered his true career interests.
With our supportive environment and diverse opportunities, Ricky has taken the first steps toward a promising future, one where he can continue to grow and contribute to a company that’s making a real difference in the world. His story is a testament to the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, embracing challenges, and seeking opportunities for growth.
Through the Ventia graduate program, Ricky is building the foundation for a fulfilling and impactful career.