I left my home in Scotland in August last year to visit my partner on his working holiday in Australia. We planned three months of travelling down Australia’s east coast, and then I would be home in time for Christmas and my 25th birthday.
Well, it’s almost a year later, and I am sitting at my desk in the MasterJack office in Auckland, New Zealand. I never thought I would end up living in a new city on this side of the world! I’ve had the most amazing year of my life, but now it’s time to head home.
After an incredible road trip around New Zealand’s South Island earlier this year, we decided to settle in Auckland and experience the Kiwi lifestyle. Things quickly came together, and soon enough, I was interviewing for the position at MasterJack. I wasn’t sure if I was up for the role; it was a more sophisticated side of marketing than I was used to, but I was excited by the variety of responsibilities and the opportunities it might spark.
I was lucky to have almost a month of training with Tori before she left the position, and I was slightly overwhelmed by all the plates that had to be kept spinning daily. It was a busy time in the office, and I was taking over a role that had only ever been done by Tori for over three years. Co-hosting a podcast or writing an article for the website seemed daunting then (and still is, at times!). But, from the start, Lisa was open with me about the behind-the-scenes of the company; I knew what was expected, and I didn’t feel afraid to ask for help.
Learning and growing
I was pleasantly surprised by the responsibility Lisa began to entrust to me: representing her at BNI (a business networking group), meeting clients, and taking the lead on certain tasks. This boosted my confidence and has given me a clearer sense of what I enjoy and am good at.
I was worried when Lisa announced that she would be away competing in artistic roller skating during the opening week of a big exhibition she was project managing. If there was a problem, what was I going to do about it? However, I realised that sometimes, just being present, personable, and willing to get stuck in is all you need to be.
During my time here, I’ve learned to think more holistically about brand consistency and strategy and constantly question myself and those around me. Lisa has been my role model in her assertiveness, positive attitude, and strong work ethic. I’ve gained valuable insights from her and others at Gilligan Sheppard about the business world, and I feel more inspired than ever to progress in my career and perhaps even run my own business one day.
Making memories
What I loved most about working at MasterJack was having the freedom to express my opinions and make decisions, as well as my daily conversations with Rachel and Lisa. We talked about all aspects of life, not just work, and it always felt like a very open, safe space to share things, which helped me with being so far from home. I feel very lucky to have explored so much of the North Island whilst living here, visiting Waiheke Island, Tauranga, and the Bay of Islands, to name a few! The relaxed, friendly Kiwi culture has definitely influenced me, and I hope it won’t be long before I come back to visit.
I am leaving Auckland excited to reunite with my friends and family, looking forward to my next adventure in London, and grateful for the past few months, the people I have met, and the experiences I have had in this wonderful country.