Alumni Profile: Rebecca Fraser
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Degrees: Graduate Diploma of Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management (Commerce) 1997, Masters of Labour Relations Law 2004 Current Position: Senior Employee Relations Advisor, Coles Myer Limited Rebecca was recently appointed as an executive committee member with the Industrial Relations Society of Victoria after a colleague asked her to nominate in his place when he moved interstate. On top of her work at Coles Myer, Rebecca's work with the IRSV provides a great opportunity for interaction with others in the 'IR Community'. |
What does your work at Coles Myer involve?
I work with our Supply Chain (logistics) on any type of industrial relations issue - enterprise bargaining, disputes, awards and agreements etc.
What does a standard day at the office entail for you?
Office? What office? I do have a desk at head office in Tooronga but as we have 23 sites Australia wide I don’t spend a lot of time there! I don’t think there is such a thing as a standard day.
What’s the most difficult decision you have had to make in your career?
Having to accept that I couldn’t “do it all” in the years before my daughter began school. Consequently I worked part time for a period of four years.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your job?
I love the variety, being out on site at the distribution centres, the great people I work with.
What inspires you about your job and life in general?
I love the challenges of my job and life in general. Always learning, so many new things to discover.
What is the most stressful or difficult aspect of your job?
In a company as large as ours, it can be difficult managing everyone’s expectations, particularly in the ever-changing industrial relations environment.
What led you to return to post-graduate study at the University of Melbourne?
When I started work as an industrial officer 10 years ago, I found that I needed to complement my IR/HR studies with labour law. The Masters in Labour Relations Law has been invaluable.
What are your strongest memories of life in Melbourne while you were studying at University of Melbourne?
Meeting new friends, the challenges of study, work and motherhood combined, driving like a lunatic to get assessment pieces in on time in the days before we could submit them electronically.
What do you like to do in your spare time – hobbies etc?
I try to spend some quality time with my 6 year old.
Do you have any advice about life/career after study to pass on to current students?
You can never be too organised. Don’t leave study commitments to the last minute, especially when you are working, as you never know what competing demands will be put on you when you are madly trying to complete an essay! Make the most of your time at Uni and the people you meet. It is amazing how frequently you will see these people during your working life.
