DIVERSITY
BH: Kate, how did you come across Symes Group?
KY: I first came across Symes Group as part of a program for Young Leaders that I am on at Westpac. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a number of sessions and workshops with Jess, Barbara and Pearl, and I really value how committed they are to helping women tap into all aspects of their own potential.
BH: What has been your leadership journey?
KY: My journey to become a leader has been shaped by working with great leaders at all points of my career. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked alongside people I admire, respect and can learn from in all the roles I’ve had – good and bad.
I started my career in public relations and communications and when I was very junior. My leadership style was adapted from observing the qualities in my team’s leaders that I admired. To this day, I still credit one of these people for teaching me everything I know! A few years later I made a career side-step into Westpac as an executive assistant. In this capacity I had the opportunity to support a number of senior people in the bank, which gave me an insight into leadership from an executive’s view.
BH: What are you most proud of in your career?
KY: I started out in a career that I thought would suit me, but ended up being the completely wrong industry for me! Going to work was mentally and emotionally challenging when I was doing something that didn’t fit me – even though I had great colleagues and friends around me in these roles. Getting myself out of this situation and into a company and career I genuinely love was a pretty big milestone when I look back on it. My career just sort of took off from there – which I suppose is no coincidence when you are happy going to work.
I’m such a big advocate for changing things if they’re not right for you.
That this is entirely possible with a little persistence.
BH: Where do you see yourself in five years?
KY: I’m not someone who typically career-plans, but when I joined Westpac I always had the goal of being here for at least 10 years in the back of my mind. Three years in and I’ve had four different roles so who knows where I will be in another five years.
I’m a very structured person in all other aspects of my life but when it comes to my career, I’m excited by the fact I have no idea what opportunities are going to open up.
BH: What are your interests or passions outside of work?
KY: I’m big into fitness, health and nutrition so I spend a lot of my spare time being active and eating. At the start of 2017 I committed to ticking off 50 of Sydney’s best breakfast spots.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for young female graduates entering the workforce for the first time?
KY: Often the biggest challenges for anyone starting out in their career is just getting a foot in the door. I know it hit me in the face a few times, but I do believe that the rejection has been just as important in my own journey as the successes I’ve had (admittedly I couldn’t see it at the time). I’ve worked in environments that have been largely female, and also those which are male-centric, and each has its challenges. Finding confidence and understanding your own worth can be a struggle for young women, which is why it’s so important to make use of the networks around you.
BH: What is your advice for
graduates?
KY: I always tell my graduates that your brand is your number one asset. Being easy to work with will never fail you, and going outside the realms of your job responsibilities will pay dividends. I think it’s also important to just let the process happen – we live in a world where we have access to everything we want immediately, but sometimes just letting time take care of things is the only way to go. Lastly, you don’t have to be running a team of 100 to be a leader, even the most junior person in an organisation can create leadership opportunities for themselves.
"My journey to become a leader has been shaped by working with great leaders at all points of my career."
Kate Young
Manager, graduate and intern programs
raduate Training
Symes Group: A new style of graduate training
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