Isobel Barry

What's your job about?

In this rotation, I am acting as a National Account Executive for Coles Liquor. My day-to-day tasks require me to work with the Coles team to ensure we align on the promotion, pricing, and positioning of our portfolio. Problem solving, effective communication, and general pro-activeness ensures that we are allowing our brands to stand out to consumers and perform well in market.

I function as an intermediary between Coles and Diageo and enjoying collaborating with the client to ensure a mutually beneficial and positive relationship.

What's your background?

I completed a double degree at Monash University (Business & Arts) with a focus on marketing, international studies, and Spanish. I have been fortunate enough to spend a number of years studying and working abroad in Mexico, the Netherlands, and Germany.

I have previously held a part time role as the communications coordinator for a NFP, Fresh Markets Australia, and prior to returning to Australia for the program, I was working for a fast-paced e-commerce start up in Berlin as a Partnerships Coordinator. With a passion for the international, I saw Diageo as an incredible opportunity to jump into a company who celebrates diversity, innovation, and excellence.

Something that I believe helps me understand our consumer better is my extended hospitality experience. During school and university, I worked various hospitality roles included as a waitress, floor manager, bar tender, and food and beverage attendant for the Marriott Group.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Of course- Experience and perspective come in many different forms, and that technical skills can be learnt. No matter if you come from, this role asks that you bring your ideas and enthusiasm to the table. Our industry needs to have people with a varied background to grow it, because our customers are not cut from the same cloth. So, no matter your background, drink order, or experience, you must put your hat in the ring.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

There are some great events, activations, and brands, but my favorite thing about Diageo is the opportunity for an international career. The thought of being able to represent incredible brands on an international stage is so cool, and it is lovely to be surrounded by people from all over the world in the Sydney HQ (and the fortnightly harbor-side work drinks!).

What are the limitations of your job?

Every rotation is different, which is why I was so excited to accept the Diageo Graduate program. In my current rotation, our customer is based out-of-state. I have less face-to-face customer interaction than I have had in previous roles, and being a people-person, I much prefer to share a coffee than an email thread. However, the communication skills that this helps you develop, particularly in terms of being coherent, professional, and concise in email format, is something that will follow me throughout my career.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Do an internship! My parents are not from Australia, and I was not really clued into the best ways of maximizing your chances for experiences, employment, and graduate roles. I was lucky enough to win a student competition during my university years, and as a result, I was offered a role as a summer intern at Unilever. Did you know that these internships are paid, prestigious, and an easy track to a graduate role? If I knew more about internships in my earlier university years, I would have been sure to jump on those roles.
2. Get involved! I put my hand up for every mentorship opportunity, society committee role, volunteering position, and event at university. Not only did it help me build a strong and varied friendship group, but it built my confidence in communication.
3. Take a gap year! Although I am graduating in 2024, this was largely because I deferred university to travel and study abroad. Once you are in the corporate world, responsibilities tend to pile up, and to travel for an extended period often means taking a career break all together. My greatest advice is to take a gap year, either before, during, or after university, to figure out who you are, what you want, and where you want to be.