2021 Graduate Program

Find out what our previous Graduates have to say about IQ Group:

KIARA LESLIE – 2020 GRADUATE

1. What were you doing before joining IQ?

I worked in Events at Victoria Park Golf Club—weddings, parties, balls, galas etc.

2. What qualifications do you have?

Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice from Griffith University (QLD)

Currently undertaking my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (PLT) at the College of Law (VIC)

3. Have you used your qualifications/experience during your time in IQ?

 Many of the skills I learnt whilst getting my qualifications have been valuable. My ability to read and interpret legislation, speak confidently and calmly with clients (both one-on-one and in public), to write clearly and concisely and my critical thinking and problem solving skills have all been used throughout my time with IQ.

4. Why did you apply for the graduate program in IQ?

 The idea of consulting appealed to me, particularly going into organisations to assist in Project Delivery and building relationships along the way. The IQ Graduate program has allowed me to experience different areas of business and perform different roles.  IQ has also provided me with the opportunity to learn and grow into my role as well as providing me with the tools and support required to succeed.

5. What work did you do as a graduate?

2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic have created a few complications for us, as we have all had to adapt to working remotely and the changing needs of our clients. My focus has been on Change Management so far, learning the ins and outs of working as part of a Change Team as they help a business through developing and implementing large process and system changes. We have supported the client in identifying training needs, assessing the readiness of the business for the coming change as well as developing the training plan and content.

6. What has been the highlight of your career with IQ so far?

I have gained extensive knowledge, learned many lessons and met wonderful people throughout my time with IQ Group. Our experience in the graduate program throughout 2020 has been unique, with COVID-19 and all of its consequences globally. I have witnessed, both internally with IQ and through our clients, the importance of correctly implementing changes in a company. Transitioning to working remotely was a challenge faced by all organisations. Through IQ, I have seen that strong leadership, frequent and transparent communications and a positive corporate culture can help a business thrive in difficult times. This is knowledge I would not have acquired were I not working with IQ.  IQ Group is made up of fantastic people who are always willing to stop what they’re doing to help someone out. When you are placed with a client as an IQ Consultant, you’re not sent out alone and with only your knowledge and experiences, you go with the support and knowledge of the entire company. As a graduate, it is invaluable to know that you are supported and set up for success even whilst working away from your IQ colleagues. The people at IQ Group, and that I have met through clients have been the highlight of my time with IQ thus far.

ARNOLD BANGCO – 2020 GRADUATE

1. What were you doing before joining IQ?

Before joining IQ, I was a university student and I also worked as a floor manager in two hospitality jobs. 

2. What qualifications do you have?

 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist, specialising in Economics and majoring in Finance.

3. Have you used your qualifications/experience during your time in IQ?

 My work with IQ has been a mixture of Change Analyst and Business Analyst style roles and I find that I am utilising a lot of the theory and concepts that I learnt during my university degree.  Along with these various concepts, the ability to research and efficiently digest information in my previous life has proven to be beneficial.

4. Why did you apply for the graduate program in IQ?

 After completing my internship with IQ over the summer, I had gained some exposure to consulting and the superannuation industry. I had learnt that the essence of consulting emphasised building relationships, solving problems and navigating through complexity, this partnered with Superannuation, an industry that was close to us all, intrigued me. I felt that the fundamentals of this career path complimented my interest and personality. I was excited to implement the skills and knowledge I had developed up to that point into real-life scenarios; IQ’s graduate program was the perfect opportunity.

5. What work did you do as a graduate?

As a graduate, I went through various training courses that outlined the fundamentals of both consulting and superannuation. I collaborated with the graduate coordinator, other consultants and the back-office team to refine my arsenal of skills and expand my knowledge of the industry. The graduate program provided me with the opportunity for a 3-month initial engagement partnered with an IQ Principal Consultant to absorb valuable experience and exposure to real-life projects.

6. What has been the highlight of your career with IQ so far?

The highlight of my career with IQ thus far is involving myself within their culture and network. Coming out of university I had perceptions that my first few years transitioning into the work life would be difficult, IQ eliminated those perceptions.

Joining IQ provided a platform where I can comfortably challenge myself and grow as an individual, both personally and professionally. The consistent support and genuine constructive feedback developed an environment where I never felt uncomfortable or out of place.

IQ is full of bright minds and wonderful personalities, willing to support you through the different stages of your career and meeting them has been the biggest highlight of my career. 

damien huynh – 2019 GRADUATE

1. What were you doing before joining IQ?

Before joining IQ, I was finishing off my Bachelor of International Business at RMIT and rewarding myself with a trip to Japan.

2. What qualifications do you have?

Bachelor of International Business (Applied)

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3. Have you used your qualifications/experience during your time in IQ?

The course I did during uni was diverse, encompassing marketing, global logistics and political global economy, none of which were applicable to my experience at IQ. However, I have applied the soft skills that I have gained such as working in teams, adapting to new environments, interpersonal skills (building relationships) and problem-solving.

4. Why did you apply for the graduate program in IQ?

During my final year of uni, I saw that my ideal career was in consulting because I wanted to be in a space that emphasized building relationships and problem-solving. Applying for IQ work-related to engage clients at a very early stage, putting the skills I’ve developed up until now into practice.

5. What work did you do as a graduate?

My fellow graduates and I were given the task of implementing and executing the strategic mission and vision of the IQ Pat Baker Foundation. We implemented activities that were designed to raise money for this foundation but also presented ways to bring our IQ people together.

In my current engagement I am working at Mercer with a fellow IQ colleague to produce the 140+ supplementary annual reports for an annual report. This role has given me the opportunity to build upon my stakeholder management skills, identifying processes that are in place, and as consultants, find areas where we could introduce more efficient processes.

6. What has been the highlight of your career with IQ so far?

Since my first day, I have been invited into a warm and welcoming environment. IQ has a positive work culture and everyone is always willing to take the time to help you, whether it is work-related, or even to just share their experiences and provide advice.

Joel Cheong – 2017 graduate 

1. What were you doing before joining IQ?

I was a fashion retail store manager.

2. What qualifications do you have?

Bachelor of Business Information Systems, majors in HR, HR management and Supply Chain management.

3. Have you used your qualifications / experience during your time in IQ?

As my work mirrors of a business analyst, I didn’t apply a lot of my finance or applied mathematics in my current job. However, what I did manage to apply was my ability to pick up concepts fast and the ability to learn new software skills.

4. Why did you apply for the graduate program in IQ?

After graduating, I was unsure what specifically I wanted to do. After being referred to the IQ Grad program and doing a bit of research, I was really interested in the opportunity to rotate through a series of work spaces before finding the best fit for me as well as learning about the superannuation industry- something I had given no thought to about previously!

5. What work did you do as a graduate?

As previously mentioned, I was across the HR and Resourcing and Recruitment department when I first joined. I worked together with the Resource manager through the end to end recruitment process as well as assist with our HR manager to revamp aspects our induction program and help with their set up of a LMS. From there I worked as a Test Analyst for a client which involved UAT and development. My current engagement is as Project Coordinator/junior PM.

6. What has been the highlight of your career with IQ so far?

The people I’ve met has been definitely been the highlight. IQ invoke a very welcoming atmosphere and culture and everyone is always willing to take time to help you with anything you need. It doesn’t matter that you’re a graduate, I’ve never felt uncomfortable having to speak to anyone including senior staff if need be. There are so many great minds at IQ and you definitely learn a lot and feel supported along the way.