Since graduating with a Bachelor Business in 2017, Jonathan Rostron has embarked on a career in transformation. Now working for a global insurance company, he shares what it’s like to help move business from ‘the old’ to ‘the new’.
Organisational change.
Companywide transformation.
Digital transformation.
All these phrases were very new to me when I stepped out of university into corporate Australia. In fact, within my first few months of work, these phrases became nearly as common as the sight of colourful socks under a navy-blue suit.
Soon after graduating, I headed to Sydney to start in an 18-month graduate program with QBE Insurance. I rotated across several teams but spent the majority of my time with the transformation office. Aside from knowing the general definition of transformation, I was unfamiliar with its context in a company setting.
Now, I know it as an umbrella term for making fundamental changes to business operations. It can be specific – such as digital or cultural transformation – or cover a broader scope. The purpose is to create a more effective and efficient business, so often includes change across personnel, processes, and technology. On occasion, it could be for a company to make a strategic pivot (tip: Google ‘Best company strategic pivots’ and you will find some great examples).
A career in transformation offers pathways to project management, business analysis, process analysis, testing management and change management. There are also speciality avenues such as Agile, Scrum and Lean Six Sigma. You can also target your specific interests, with positions in IT, digital, marketing, media, product and more.
I now type this as a Junior Project Manager working on technical, strategic and innovative projects to transform QBE’s business.
Transformation is an opportunity to be part of the mechanism that moves a company from ‘the old’ to ‘the new’. You act as the net that catches key information, and engage with all levels of stakeholders and technical specialists. On top of that, you have a tremendous amount of responsibility.
It’s an exciting and innovative space to working in. And if you’re up for the challenge, I encourage any new graduate to seek out opportunities in the transformation space!
Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn