What's your job about?
Argon and Co. is a leading management consultancy that specializes in end-to-end supply chain solutions. As a graduate consultant, the typical day-to-day can vary from one project to another, but it tends to boil down to a few things; stakeholder management, data analysis, and applying some basic problem-solving.
In terms of my own experience that best captures the variety one can find at Argon and Co. I was initially placed on a software implementation project as part of the supply chain planning rotation. Some of my responsibilities included conducting client interviews to capture current vs. future ways of working as part of a change management workstream, establishing new business processes to effectively manage the activities of the supply chain planning team post-implementation, managing the rollout of an interim solution for the distribution planning team and assisting the client in the software testing phase, tracking bugs, and liaising with software vendor staff accordingly. On the other hand, as part of the manufacturing rotation I was placed in charge of driving improvements out on the factory floor, utilizing different lean methodologies, liaising with shop floor staff, C-suite level executives, external IT team, and others to help factory operators work more efficiently.
So, based on my experience it’s safe to say that not one project will be the same, which is incredibly exciting and challenging. Such a wide range of exposure is priceless and vital for continued development in one’s early career.
What's your background?
I was born in Alexandria, Egypt and with my family migrated to Sydney when I was 10 years old. We lived in the south-western suburbs of Sydney which was a culture shock, to say the least. After about a year we relocated to rural Victoria to the cultural hub of Gippsland. There, I was encouraged to explore my interests in math and science, but I was never drawn to one thing in particular and enjoyed the complexity of a variety of different topics and ideas. Finally, relocating back to western Sydney, it was there that I realized my interest in engineering not necessarily because I had a passion for machines but more so of my interest in the thinking process involved when it comes to solving challenging problems. Therefore, after completing high school I attended the University of Technology, Sydney where I completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Business in Finance. During my time at university, I was involved in the Engineering Society and took on multiple jobs at university which was a fantastic opportunity to expand my social network. The biggest contributor to my development throughout university would be when I chose to take up volunteering at university at a society called The Big Lift, which was instrumental to my growth and development both personally and professionally.
During university, I still had a variety of different interests and enjoyed exposing myself to different industries and projects through internships and university work. So, I wanted a graduate position that was rotational so I would be exposed to different roles and areas of focus. During my job search, I came across an ad for Argon & Co’s 2023 Graduate Program. After learning about the company, the culture, the nature of the program, and the fact that I would be exposed to not only different roles but to different industries and a large variety of projects, I was hooked!
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely! No one degree prepares you for the world of consulting as the work can vary greatly. All it comes down to is an attitude, a passion for learning, and some basic problem-solving skills. Some analytical/quantitative skills are essential; however, those can be developed through many different fields of study.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The coolest thing about my experience so far would be having the opportunity to explore different (sometimes very rural) parts of Australia. I’ve been lucky enough to experience life in an area of the country that is so rich with energy and a warm sense of community. Traveling as part of a team also builds great friendships and comradery amongst one another which has been the absolute highlight of the program so far. The moments that come from being around the same group of people for an extended amount of time are what bring life to a project. Although the work is interesting, it’s all about the relationships you make in the process. Similarly, this job also counts on one’s ability to be able to communicate with people from completely different backgrounds, from C-suite executives to operators working on the factory floor which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
What are the limitations of your job?
As part of the program, you get thrown into the deep end and are expected to be adaptable. Being in the business of project delivery you are responsible for staying on track with your tasks and responsibilities sometimes in a limited amount of time. Therefore, at times it will require some longer hours than usual. Furthermore, given that our clients hire us to implement change, being able to question the current ways of working and driving change with no authority can be challenging and takes some time to get used to. Finally, although I enjoy the travel (6 a.m. flights can be tough sometimes though), depending on the project one is placed on, you can expect to be traveling for sometimes consecutive months which may not be ideal for some.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
I would strongly encourage students to think about how the skills they are developing can be applied in the professional world. Although there are some industry-specific skills, sharpening those transferrable skills (Excel/PowerPoint, communication, teamwork) is what makes you very adaptable as a graduate.
Don’t pigeonhole yourself. Explore as many interests as possible throughout university whether by taking unrelated electives or external courses. Try to be as well-rounded as you can so you can have options initially and specialize later.
Experience is the best teacher! As cliché as it sounds, sitting in a lecture/tutorial is a great step towards your development, but it won’t teach you nearly as much as getting out there and exploring your interests. So, try to get as many internships as possible throughout the university, join societies that interest you, or even join a volunteering group. Such experiences will be the best investment in your growth.