When I first joined Gripfast Consulting as their inaugural Advisory Intern, I had little experience in advisory work or project management. However, I was eager to learn, and Gripfast saw my university learnings and attitude as a good fit for the team. The opportunity to work directly with Dr. Annabel McGuire has been one of the most valuable professional experiences I’ve had to date. Annabel is not only highly accomplished in her field but also an exceptional mentor. She takes the time to train with patience, ensuring that I develop the skills necessary to thrive in this industry. Her guidance has instilled confidence in me as I assist with advisory tenders, research and analyse policy, and manage Gripfast’s QA systems. Being trusted to make decisions has been both empowering and motivating, allowing me to gain hands-on experience in high-level advisory work.
Beyond technical skills, my role at Gripfast has also provided extensive exposure to and participation in industry meetings and practical outings. Observing Annabel in action, particularly in her role as the first female president of Legacy Brisbane, has been invaluable. I have two particularly distinct memories from Legacy meetings that illustrate her ability to command a room, facilitate discussions, and deliver results.
At my very first Legacy Strategy meeting, I was responsible for taking minutes as the committee engaged in a structured and cohesive discussion. While the group debated the wording of an important sentence, Annabel listened intently to overlapping voices, synthesising their input in real-time. Within moments, she wrote the sentence, read it aloud, and the room fell silent. After a pause, the response was unanimous: variations of “That works perfectly,” “That is exactly what we need,” and “Can you repeat that so I can write it down?” echoed around the room. Her ability to facilitate discussion while producing the best possible outcome for the committee was a masterclass in leadership.
A second standout moment was during a Legacy Strategy meeting. Annabel demonstrated an extraordinary ability to navigate the loud and quiet voices in the room, prompting individuals for further explanation when needed, and diplomatically steering the conversation back on track—an essential skill given the many tangents that arose. She simultaneously took notes, synthesised ideas, and extracted clear outcomes from convoluted discussions. Witnessing her ability to take command of a room while ensuring all voices were heard was incredibly impressive and a learning experience in itself.
After every meeting, whether for Legacy or other veterans-focused seminars such as the Gallipoli Seminar, Annabel would ask me to verbally summarise what I had learned. She encouraged me to reflect on the most interesting takeaways and analyse the social dynamics within the room. This practice reinforced my learning, strengthened my understanding of different industry environments, and enhanced my ability to communicate key takeaways effectively.
Understanding how to apply both hard and soft skills in a professional setting has been one of the most valuable aspects of my internship. Learning hard skills—such as research, policy analysis, and managing QA systems—through practical application has been crucial. However, observing and developing soft skills, such as stakeholder engagement, active listening, and strategic communication, has been just as important. The ability to watch, learn, and participate in real-world applications has made all the difference in my professional development.
Throughout my time at Gripfast, I have had the opportunity to work on a range of projects that have challenged me to apply my skills in meaningful ways. These projects have allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of advisory work, refine my research and analysis capabilities, and contribute to tangible outcomes for clients and internal initiatives. Each project has been a learning experience, reinforcing the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and clear communication. Below are some of the key projects I have worked on during my internship.
Employee Survey, Report, and Employee Value Proposition
My first major task as an intern was to create Gripfast’s first Employee Value Proposition (EVP). This involved developing an understanding of what Gripfast employees value most within the organisation. To achieve this, Annabel and I worked closely to design an Employee Survey with a mix of qualitative and quantitative questions, ensuring we captured the most informative responses. Key findings included:
·       100% of employees are proud to be part of Gripfast.
·       100% strongly agree that leadership communicates a clear vision that motivates the team.
·       92% strongly agree that Gripfast’s systems and processes effectively support them.
·       91% strongly agree they feel personally and professionally supported within the organisation.
·       82% agree that Gripfast is environmentally conscientious in reducing waste.
Using these results, we created an EVP graphic that transparently showcased Gripfast’s most valuable attributes. Following this, I wrote the Employee Survey Report, analysing data trends and incorporating graphs, tables, and word clouds to visually and textually communicate insights.
QSER Management
Since being appointed as Gripfast’s QSER manager, I have worked continuously to ensure Gripfast’s Quality, Safety, Environment, and Risk (QSER) systems remain current and audited. I collaborate with other team members to prepare for internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with ISO standards. This involves everything from keeping documents updated to incorporating legislative changes, such as the Right to Disconnect law. Managing QSER has enhanced my attention to detail and ability to oversee compliance frameworks.
Hydrogen Business Case
One of my early tasks involved conducting preliminary background research on the Elecseed Hydrogen Business Case. This required me to quickly familiarise myself with a topic I had no prior knowledge of, research key information, and present it in a digestible way to inform Annabel before an initial meeting. This process mirrored the analytical skills I have developed in my studies—gathering information, distilling it into key points, and relaying it in a comprehensible format. Following this research, I collaborated with Ella to create a multi-page document featuring infographics on the use of green hydrogen energy, tailored to a potential client’s specific needs. This required selecting only the most relevant information and refining it into an accessible format. The document underwent multiple consultations and edits to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
Project Management Microcredential
For the project management microcredential, I worked alongside Project Director, David, and Project Coordinator, Georgia, to prepare a workshop tailored for veterans transitioning to civilian employment. Using the real-life case study of Legacy House (with confidentiality measures in place), I developed course outlines, daily lesson plans, PowerPoint slides, and even contributed to the theoretical course section on contracts. Drawing upon my legal studies, I crafted a section with practical examples to help veterans conceptualise contract law in an accessible way.
Finally, the most important aspect of working at Gripfast for me personally has been the organisation’s supportive and flexible culture. The company fosters an environment where colleagues genuinely care about one another, providing encouragement and sharing moments of laughter, all while delivering high-quality work. This culture extends to the way the organisation understands and supports my commitments outside of work. As a university student pursuing a dual degree in Law (Honours) and Communications, the flexibility Gripfast provides has been crucial. Being able to adjust my schedule during exam periods or reduce hours when needed has enabled me to maintain a healthy balance between work and study. This level of understanding makes me even more motivated to contribute my best when I am in the office. At Gripfast, success is not just about the work we do—it’s about the people we work with.
This internship has been a transformative experience. Gripfast fosters an environment where interns are not only trained but empowered to take ownership of their work. The hands-on experience I have gained in advisory projects, policy development, and QSER management has been invaluable.
I have since transitioned from an intern to a part-time employee, continuing my work at Gripfast while balancing university commitments. The skills, confidence, and professional development I have gained through this experience have been essential in shaping my career trajectory. I am now entrusted with key responsibilities in QSER, tenders, and advisory projects, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow within this organisation. Working at Gripfast has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and I look forward to continuing my journey with the team.
Natarshya Martin