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Generation Logistics case study: Megan, Customer Manager, Network Rail
Even if you study a very specific subject at university, the door to an exciting career in logistics is never shut, as Megan found out when she left higher education.
“I originally studied law at the University of York,” she says, “and soon realised it wasn’t something that I necessarily wanted to go into.
“I looked at a variety of different grad schemes and was really drawn to Network Rail due to the versatility, the flexibility and the fact that you’re not shoehorned down a particular career path. I had no idea coming out of uni what I wanted to do, so being given that broad spectrum was something that really appealed to me.”
Megan joined Network Rail on the General Management Graduate Scheme back in 2019 and now manages the customer relations between Network Rail and DB Cargo and Harsco – the freight operators – involving managing access rights, assessing claims, managing debt and billing reports.
“Every day is different,” she says, excitedly. “Every day I’m out and about and I think that’s what I love about it, that no two days are the same.
“Some of the key skills for the role that I’m in are definitely communication, resilience and teamwork. Looking at everything from an innovative, strategic point of view and collaboration. I deal a lot with the customer on a day-to-day basis, making sure we have both parties’ interests in mind at all times.”
Megan assumed her role the day before the COVID-19 pandemic, which obviously felt like really bad timing.
“But actually it was probably the best opportunity for me,” she counters, “because I soon realised how quickly the profile of freight rose. While passenger numbers were down due to the government stay-at-home campaigns, freight was utilising the capacity on the network to move critical goods such as food, PPE and fuel to keep our homes powered.”
She knew then how important logistics was and that she wanted to play a bigger part in it going forward.
“I want to be part of making freight not just be seen as dirty trains that deliver coal, but actually we are making a massive difference to the environment and economy. So I really wanted to be a part of that going forward.”
Learn more about Generation Logistics.
Published On: 01/06/2023 12:00:00
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