Melanie grew up in Mackay and moved to Brisbane after school. She joined Aurizon (Queensland Rail then) when she was still in University and went on to finish her Bachelor Degree in Business whilst working full-time.
Her journey in Aurizon hasn’t taken the traditional route – she has had several jobs in several fields and that is just the way Melanie likes it. Melanie’s last role was Crisis and Emergency Management and she was there for seven years before making the decision to try the Transition to Operations Program.
Introduced in June 2013, the ‘Transition to Operations program’ provides on-the-job, in-depth work experience for Aurizon women who want a career change to operational roles. As part of the program, participants have the opportunity to take on a variety of operational roles, working for four months in each role.
This provides employees with experience across Aurizon’s supply chain, where they are fully supported to build their operational knowledge and technical understanding.
The program is designed to broaden an employee’s skill base and fast-track development required to move into operational roles in the future.
Melanie’s placements have been in Aurizon’s Bulk Service Delivery, Network Operations, National Operations Service Centre and Rolling Stock Maintenance allowing her to spend time in Brisbane corporate office, Fisherman Island near Port of Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville, Bowen, Perth and Rockhampton respectively.
Participating in this program has changed Melanie’s perspective on the size of the company and the types of job opportunities that exist within the operations environment.
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys trying a variety of different exercise activities to keep active.