I applied for the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP) from Singapore and was elated to receive an interview invite to the coveted Discovery Centre in Sydney. The ability to drive impact at such a large scale and discover my career interests through a variety of roles within two years really drew me to the UFLP.
My first stint was as a sales representative, where I travelled across New South Wales, working closely with convenience stores and supermarkets that sell our products. I quickly appreciated the vast difference between regional and metropolitan stores, understanding the need to cater to different consumer groups. Spending so much time in the field helped me to craft meaningful relationships with our retailers, a unique experience that I couldn’t have had in the office.
My current rotation is in the People Experience team, where I support the Supply Chain side of the business. I’m excited to be working on some big projects, one of which is to ensure that we provide the best onboarding experience for new employees that join our amazing factories. I really enjoy having a role that allows me to make a difference by improving already great processes. One colleague even acknowledged my work by saying “#AanyaForPresident” – not a career path that I’m considering, but it is encouraging to be adding value!
One of my favourite things about the UFLP is that we are each assigned a mentor who is a senior leader. I feel lucky to have regular one-on-ones with the HR director of the company, who has provided me with incredible guidance, support, and career advice throughout the programme. In one of our recent check-ins, she emphasised the importance of making each connection meaningful, which is something that I have implemented in my day-to-day interactions as an HR professional. I also love our small, close-knit cohort of graduates that I can lean on and share this experience with.
In the Unilever graduate programme, 3 PM on a Tuesday only means one thing: ice cream o clock! I like to try a new one each week but keep going back for the Magnum Almond.