Graduate program opens doors for alumna

November 2007

As a participant of ASSA ABLOY Australia’s graduate program, Joanie Lim (BCom 2003) was able to explore her career options and settle in her current role as the company’s events and corporate communications coordinator.

ASSA ABLOY is a global leader in door opening solutions and the company behind the iconic Australian lock brand Lockwood.

Based at company’s Melbourne office, Ms Lim is currently responsible for coordinating corporate events such as conferences, seminars, industry meetings, government visits and product launches. She also organises communications activities including internal communications, brand management, copywriting and oversees sponsorship and media-related activities.

“I love that no two work days are the same. There’s a good variety in what I do to keep things interesting,” said Ms Lim.

Ms Lim is supportive of graduate programs such as the one she commenced at ASSA ABLOY in 2005. The job rotations, she said, give new graduates the opportunity to sample several career interests:

“Graduate programs are a great start to any graduate’s career … it is a fast-track path to finding where your true passion lies,” she said.

Although Ms Lim has moved on from a career in accountancy, she said her Monash accountancy major has given her life-long skills. She uses these skills at ASSAY ABLOY to manage budgets and present financial data.

In her five years since completing her studies, Ms Lim has had a great deal of work experience. She has held teaching, accountancy and sales positions, including a stint in Japan as an English teacher which she named as a career highlight.

“Someone told me recently that I’ve reinvented myself multiple times. I don’t think it was a conscious plan to try different things but rather one’s natural instinct to find ‘happiness’,” she said.