at Otago - School of Business, University of Otago, New Zealand ...
at Otago - School of Business, University of Otago, New Zealand ...
at Otago - School of Business, University of Otago, New Zealand ...
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GRADUATE PROFILE<br />
Shannon Hegan<br />
Branch Manager - Owens Logistics<br />
BCom, MBus<br />
As a Branch Manager with Owens<br />
Logistics, part <strong>of</strong> the Mainfreight<br />
group, Shannon Hegan manages<br />
a 10,000m2 dangerous goods<br />
storage and distribution warehouse<br />
in Otahahu, Auckland. He’s<br />
responsible for a team <strong>of</strong> 22,<br />
ensures on average 2500 freight<br />
movements occur each week, plus<br />
monitors the oper<strong>at</strong>ion’s financial<br />
performance.<br />
Sounds like a tough job doesn’t it?<br />
Well it is, but Shannon developed<br />
a range <strong>of</strong> skills and knowledge<br />
through his time <strong>at</strong> <strong>Otago</strong>, and<br />
during Mainfreight’s excellent<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>e recruitment programme<br />
th<strong>at</strong> assist him on a daily basis.<br />
“I never really considered going<br />
anywhere other than <strong>Otago</strong> for<br />
my degree. I wanted a qualific<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
th<strong>at</strong> was applicable to a variety <strong>of</strong><br />
commercial settings, and gave me a<br />
strong analytical background whilst<br />
bridging the gap between theory<br />
and practice. My BCom and MBus<br />
majoring in management didn’t<br />
disappoint.”<br />
He admits he was tested<br />
throughout his degrees, but<br />
particularly liked being involved<br />
with a real business as part <strong>of</strong><br />
his MBus, helping him gain an<br />
appreci<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the many challenges<br />
businesses face.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> Mainfreight’s gradu<strong>at</strong>e<br />
recruitment programme Shannon’s<br />
first position was as a store man<br />
in Christchurch. After three<br />
months he was managing one <strong>of</strong><br />
the company’s marquee customers<br />
plus three team members. Seven<br />
months <strong>of</strong> hard graft l<strong>at</strong>er he<br />
got the call he’d been waiting for,<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering him a role in the Supply<br />
Chain N<strong>at</strong>ional Support Team in<br />
Auckland.<br />
“At first I thought wh<strong>at</strong> sort <strong>of</strong><br />
company would let a 23-year-old<br />
deal with major clients, seek out<br />
new business and even negoti<strong>at</strong>e<br />
terms <strong>of</strong> engagement? Two months<br />
l<strong>at</strong>er I donned a shirt and tie<br />
and walked into our Auckland<br />
facility to begin my new <strong>Business</strong><br />
Development role.”<br />
Three and a half years since<br />
completing the gradu<strong>at</strong>e<br />
recruitment programme Shannon’s<br />
position as Branch Manager is<br />
busy, yet working in a progressive<br />
company makes life exciting with<br />
many future career opportunities.<br />
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