Gregg's Story
Gregg is one of a team of successful account managers working in Dialog’s Brisbane office. He joined the company over 1 year ago.
It was in 2003 that Gregg began to explore the possibility of emigrating from Johannesburg to Australia when he visited most of the state capitals to see if they would be good places to settle. He and his family chose Brisbane. In their view, it was not too big, had less hustle and bustle and had a climate similar to that of Durban where Gregg grew up.
The family made the move in January 2004 and Gregg started the difficult task of finding a job. He found that he needed references that could be checked easily as that is something that Brisbane-based employers seemed accustomed to do. Finally, he gained a junior position with Hewlett Packard where he easily proved himself and was able soon after to upgrade to a more senior role at Mincom, one of Australia’s leading software houses. Gregg found that the secret of success was to apply himself and work hard. These things are valued as much in Australia as they are in South Africa.
Seeing an interesting job with Dialog advertised in seek.com.au, Gregg applied and landed what he says is a terrific job – “I just love working for Dialog. Of all the companies that I have worked for in Australia, Dialog is the best” he says. When I asked him why that was, he replied that he is surrounded by many very experienced IT professionals who are able and very willing to provide advice, information and practical assistance whenever he asks for it. He says that Dialog is a place where things get done. At the same time, it is a company with a heart – if there are family problems, with health for example, the company is always prepared to help with time off and other practical ways.
I talked with Gregg about how his family fared in making the move. He replied that it was difficult at first, especially for his oldest teenage son who left many good friends behind. However, what the family really appreciated was that there was not the same degree of social expectation for all children to succeed academically and go to university. In the case of his oldest son, Gregg is very happy that he completed high school and now has a good apprenticeship and has made many new good mates. His youngest son was happy almost from day one, finding a place through sport which Gregg sees as a very important part of the Australian lifestyle.
Gregg observed that the education system was very good, the state high school system in particular being exceptional, if somewhat more laid-back than in South Africa. He has also found the health system to be quite satisfactory.
His advice to anyone contemplating the move is to remember that "Aussies" are very similar to South Africans and while you may find it difficult at first and will take time and work, it is easy to make friends. Work is plentiful and rewarding if you work hard. Gregg’s final words to me were,“making the move to Australia will be the best decision of your life.”
To share in Gregg's experience and become a Dialog person please visit our Vacancies page.