What attracted you to your chosen work?
It was the Early Career Program (ECP) that Avery Dennison offers. While doing my Master's in Strategic Marketing, I was keen to continue learning in the workplace, and the ECP seemed like the right program. I did not know much about the label business. Still, I did know that the global presence of Avery Dennison and the passion of the people I met during the interview process could help me grow as a marketing specialist and drive tangible impact. Hearing that I would be joining the Product Management team made the 24-year-old graduate feel like a true professional.
What skills did you develop early that are still useful today?
One skill I developed early on, and still rely on heavily, is what I think of as 'working backwards.' I start by clearly defining the desired result or goal. Then, I map out the steps needed to achieve it from the end to beginning. This involves identifying the areas where change or improvement is necessary, understanding which stakeholders must be involved and determining how I can best facilitate the process. This approach has proven very useful, because it often reveals discrepancies between current practices and the desired outcome, allowing me to adjust and ensure that I (or my project team) stay aligned with the objective.
How have you grown in your career at Avery Dennison?
I started as an ECP Associate in 2019 and joined the Product Management team in the European Labels and Graphics Materials function. I was equally excited and nervous in the first few months, but I was surrounded by supportive and encouraging colleagues and managers who inspired me to go the extra mile. Through various projects and roles, I had the chance to learn and influence different parts of the business and offer my expertise. I knew from one side of the company to the other. However, I would not have been able to grow my career as I did without the support of the people around me offering advice, giving feedback and challenging me, sharing their knowledge with me and cheering me on. I will always be grateful for that and want to return the favor.
