ARIS TECH FOUNDATION & academy

 My internship at Aris Zinc Group has been a journey of rapid processional discovery and growth. As a recent postgraduate, I was looking for an opportunity that would challenge me and allow me to gain more hands-on experience in real accounting responsibilities. AZG offered exactly that – a dynamic environment where I was welcomed into the fold and given the trust to manage key financial tasks from the very beginning.

What sets this internship apart is the level of ownership I was granted. During my time here, I took the lead in a major reconciliation project involving the company’s vehicle leasing accounts. It was not a simple task; it required piercing together fragmented data, analysing payroll processes, and ratifying historical discrepancies. Navigating these challenges allowed me to sharpen my analytical skills and be familiarised with accounting software like Xero. The experience taught me that accounting is not just about numbers; it is about logic, investigation, and providing clear solutions to business problems.

Besides working on reconciliation, I was also exposed to the tasks of monthly and fortnightly pay runs. Here, I learned about the differences in payroll procedures for contractors and employees, including tax reporting and invoicing. During the processes of learning and conducting actual pay runs in Astute – AZG’s own accounting software, I noticed that Astute is very user-friendly, well-organised and straightforward, which is friendly for accountants of all levels, enabling them to perform accounting tasks accurately and efficiently with minimum redundancy.

Beyond working in the accounting and finance fields during my internship, I was also kindly invited to AZG’s Christmas Party. It was very well organised and we had a lot of fun. More importantly, it was a great chance for me to get to know more about my colleagues and have more time with them. This Christmas Party was a perfect time for team building and it made me feel involved and welcomed in AZG, allowing me to get along with colleagues in a more natural way, which would be beneficial for our ongoing collaboration at work.

In conclusion, I am incredibly proud of what I have achieved during my time at AZG. This internship has evolved me from a student into a capable finance professional ready to tackle complex challenges. I am grateful to AZG for providing a work environment of diversity and inclusiveness, a platform that values independent thinking, and an opportunity to demonstrate and challenge my potentials. It has been an invaluable steppingstone in my career. 

 Before coming to Aris Zinc Group I studied law at my college, that’s where I learnt about the disproportionate legal challenges facing international students looking for work while they study. When I interned with Aris Zinc Group I was delighted to become part of a team working towards correcting that mistreatment. 

My Internship at Aris Zinc Group was also the first time I had worked in an office and although the experience was new to me my supervisor made everything so much more manageable.

I started up in the marketing team mostly just doing back-end work where I would create the jobs and post them on various job boards, letting my more experienced colleagues handle the more colorful side of marketing. I did this over the course of school break which meant I began to be imbued with a newfound confidence in the workforce before I went back to finish my final semester. 

After I graduated College, I came back to work with Aris Zinc Group this time my responsibilities were increased, so was my passion. I was able to combine my creativity with my love for law and policy when discussing new campaign ideas with my colleagues. At the same time Aris Zinc Group offered me flexible hours that allowed me to pursue my other law related passions outside of work. Notably working in alignment with the UNHCR’s through a charity program that exists to protect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers under international law. This helped me to build my CV and create my small impact on the world. Aris Zinc Groups Flexibility has been especially valuable to me as I move into the busy season of post school wrap up events; graduation ceremonies, formals, goodbye assemblies etc… As well as allowing me to have a social life while experiencing the challenges of the professional world.

My time at Aris Zinc Group has not only opened my eyes to the professional workforce but it has given me the confidence to continue to grow my skill set and think about my future career path long term in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to picture without my crucial hands-on experience in the office. It also allowed me to deepen my footprint in my areas of interest while giving me the freedom to think beyond them.

In 2026 I will be focus on Branding Marketing Culture (BMC) and Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) in People Solutions division as well as helping the resourcing team with Commonwealth roles and projects. I have the intention of studying International Relations (IR) and Law at university in 2027 and this job will certainly help my career.

 Upon graduating college, I found myself facing the reality of a daunting job market, my haphazard decision to take a gap year, and my ongoing employment at a fast-food establishment. Fortunately, I wasn't forced to work another year in hospitality because an opportunity opened at Aris Zinc Group and I never looked back.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a welcoming team, who have always been understanding and helpful for my first experience working in an office. On top of which, as a people-oriented organisation, my daily tasks of working directly with and for our community always feel more productive and motivating to me than my former work. Having previously been dubious about how fun an office job could be, I now stand corrected.

With the intention of studying International Relations (IR) and Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) at university in 2027, AZG is the perfect avenue for me to gain a better understanding of recruitment and technology solutions in the context of the Australian market and how I fit into it all. I am learning the fundamental ins and outs of the workforce - including by becoming certified in ISO standard 45001 with the offer of implementing this new standard into the broader organisation.

This pathway has certainly set me up well for whatever career I wish to pursue in my future.

Before joining the team at ARIS ZINC GROUP, I questioned whether taking a developmental year prior to commencing university was the right decision. Looking back now, I am more confident than ever that it was one of the best choices I could have made!

I was initially nervous about transitioning from the fast-paced, people-focused hospitality industry into a professional office environment. However, I was eager to channel the same energy, work ethic, and passion into a new setting where I could continue growing both personally and professionally.

My transition from the hospitality industry to ARIS ZINC GROUP has been both exciting and rewarding. While I valued the strong sense of community and people-focused nature of hospitality, I was eager to apply those interpersonal and communication skills in a more purpose-driven environment. ARIS ZINC’s collaborative and supportive culture made that transition seamless.

The team’s welcoming approach allowed me to quickly develop new technical and professional skills while continuing to engage with the relationship and connection aspects of work that I genuinely enjoy. The strong emphasis on partnership, integrity, and meaningful impact across government and environmental sectors particularly resonated with me.

During my time in the internship and pathways program, I have been inspired by the meaningful work ARIS ZINC GROUP undertakes, especially in supporting Veterans, government, and environmental initiatives that contribute to a better future. I am excited to continue contributing to the resourcing team while also gaining exposure to the environmental sectors within the team. This role has already equipped me with a diverse range of professional skills from resourcing skills to strategic thinking and has positioned me strongly for the job market upon completing my Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics in 2027.

I am proud to contribute to the meaningful and forward-thinking work undertaken by ARIS ZINC GROUP, and I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and add value during my time here.