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Zoe Giagoudakis

from Basketball Referee to Graduate – Retail Energy Markets
I find and buy things the business needs to run!
Industry
Energy, gas and oil
Company
Iberdrola Australia
Job Level
Entry

Ask me about

  • Exploring your passions
  • How to turn your interests into a career
  • Navigating a degree or industry you know nothing about
  • How to find a job that matches your idea of work-life balance

About me

From no clue what I wanted to do in high school, to still exploring my passions today, my journey has been full of discovery.

In school, I was really curious and loved being involved – sports, dance & musicals, public speaking and volunteering. I finished Year 12 with a mix of subjects, many interests and had no idea what to do with them all! At university I studied Commerce – different to the subjects I had studied in high school. I gained some great practical financial skills, and a qualification that was adaptable to any industry!

After university, I still felt stuck in my career path. I took a gap year and travelled, gaining a new perspective on the world. Now a Graduate at Iberdrola, I love how I can rotate through different areas of the business to get a taste of what I might like. I’m still learning & figuring out what I enjoy!

About my role

  • Analytical
  • Confident
  • Independent
  • Practical
  • Sociable

As a Graduate at Iberdrola Australia, I rotate through four different parts of the business, which has helped me learn how the energy industry works and discover what areas I enjoy most. My first rotation was in Pre Construction Contracts, where I helped get projects ready before they are built. I prepared documents and learned how big projects come together, from planning the site to understanding equipment delivery times. My second rotation was in Procurement, which involves buying the products or services a business needs to function. I spent time talking to different people to understand what they offered and how much things cost. My current rotation is in Retail Energy Markets, where companies buy and sell energy to power homes and businesses. I help sell the energy that Iberdrola produces from our wind and solar farms to large businesses so they can run their daily operations every single day.

Education

  • High School Certificate (VIC)
  • Bachelor of Commerce - Finance & Management

Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Geography
  • Languages
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physical Education

Awards

  • University of Melbourne - Leaders in Community Award (2022)
  • Duke of Edinburgh - Gold, Silver Bronze (2019)
  • House Sport Captain (2018)
  • ADF LongTan Youth Leadership Award (2017)

Hobbies

  • Camping
  • Gym
  • Hiking
  • Rock climbing
  • Travel

15 year old me!!

“The big scary decisions in high school are not as big and scary as they seem! Keep an open and curious mindset, and new opportunities will always flow your way!”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Studied my commerce degree during COVID-19
  2. Final semester abroad in Sweden
  3. Started working in consulting
  4. Quit and travelled for a year
  5. Now working in renewable energy

My typical day

My employer

Iberdrola Australia has a 20-year history leading Australia's energy transition, blending local expertise with the global leadership of Iberdrola Group in renewables and network operations. We have a team of over 300 employees in Australia, and over 42,000 globally - the company operates in Europe, the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Iberdrola is a leader in clean energy and is one of the world’s largest electricity utilities. Iberdrola is dedicated to fostering positive social impacts, ensuring that our projects provide genuine social value an set the standard for innovation social practices.