I would say to anyone getting into the industry to just go for it. Dive right in! Question why things are done and always give your own opinion. That way you get to know the job quicker and you get to know why you are doing it. I would also suggest trying to network and get to know people in the same position to you in the industry. The BIFA Young Freight Network (YFN) is a great place to start.
What advice would you give a young person considering an apprenticeship?
Go for it! It’s the perfect way for you to not only learn but gain invaluable working experience in the real world. You get the best of both worlds and have an apprenticeship coach to guide you through the entire process.
Why would you encourage young people to consider a career in freight forwarding or logistics?
Freight forwarding is more than just moving freight from A to B. Speaking from experience, the freight forwarding and logistics industry can be very challenging and yet extremely rewarding. You need to think on your feet, solve problems and come up with the best solutions tailored to your customer’s needs. There are lots of different skills you can learn, from Maths to English, HR to Sales. Starting a job in this industry can open a wide range of doors for a young person looking to advance their career.
How did you get into the industry?
I was studying for my A-Levels in sixth form when there was a career fare for the year below me. I decided to go in and see what was going on. Although it seemed everyone wanted to go to university, I could not wait to get into the world of work and start earning some money. Continuing to learn but gaining invaluable experience in a working environment at the same time. I walked past the GEODIS stand and decided to sit down and have a chat with my now colleagues. It shows you that sometimes putting your name out there or having a chat with someone, things you would not normally do, can open doors you didn’t know were there.
What does your current role entail on a day-to-day basis?
My role varies day-to-day. No two days are the same and that is what keeps you on your toes. To name a few; negotiating rates for air freight space with airlines, completing documents to accompany freight for international travel, customs entries and arranging the transport for the freight to and from the airport and our warehouse.
Tell us the best parts of the job.
Over the past year to 18 months, we as GEODIS have been transporting large amounts of PPE and breathing equipment in the fight against coronavirus. This has been both importing and exporting around the world. Being able to help and be a part of a team who has had an impact on the relief aid for coronavirus has been very important. Overall, being able to provide the best possible service to our customers and build a relationship with them is very rewarding.
What is the most interesting product that you have shipped?
At GEODIS we ship a wide range of products. Shipments can range from schoolbooks to car and aircraft parts, coffee pods to high value technology.
What advice would you give to young people when they first get into a role?
I would say to anyone getting into the industry to just go for it. Dive right in! Question why things are done and always give your own opinion. That way you get to know the job quicker and you get to know why you are doing it. Rather than knowing that in box A you put ‘x’ you know exactly why you are putting ‘x’ in box A and the meaning behind it. I would also suggest trying to network and get to know people in the same position to you in the industry. The BIFA Young Forwarder Network (YFN) is a great place to start.
