Company: DHL
Role: Transport Manager
Gurkiran left school at 18, with GCSEs and A-levels. She headed to university to study teaching, but after her first year decided it wasn’t the career she was looking for. She set out on a search to find something she enjoyed and gave her the job satisfaction she wanted.
After finding her role at DHL, which allows her to not only work but also study for an apprenticeship as she goes, she’s keen to stress that logistics, and specifically Operations, might be more than meets the eye.
“I cannot stress enough that operations isn’t a scary world, it’s just different to the office world, but it is equally as challenging and fun. It’s not just made for those who don’t want to study, it’s made for everyone!”
Speaking honestly, Gurkiran admits that she went into her role thinking logistics, and linehaul, were just trucks and trailers, but she quickly found out that there’s a lot more to it than that.
“My apprenticeship and job combined teaches me life skills that no university could have: communication, honesty and teamwork. And throughout my time at DHL, they’ve been the three pillars to push me further in my career, and within my team.”
Gurkiran worked part time in the Network Control Group for three years, working across various projects, and in the central departing and arriving of material operation for the Ops team. She then took an opportunity to move into the Linehaul team to be the AM Operations Supervisor, growing her knowledge of Linehaul, and the world of trucks and trailers. Despite feeling a little intimidated at first, she quickly found her feet.
“I opened my eyes to a whole new world of working, and a new working environment which I found so enjoyable on a day-to-day basis, especially in seasonal peak periods.”
She completed her apprenticeship during her time as a supervisor, and it boosted her confidence knowing she had developed the skills to be the best manager she could be.
She channeled her elevated confidence into her application for the AM Transport Manager role which she’s been succeeding in, and loving, ever since.
“DHL is such a big company and I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to learn about the operational business on a large scale. One of my best achievements has been gaining my apprenticeship qualification in Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager, which has equipped me to do the job I am doing, and prepare me for future managerial roles within the business.”