Testimonials

Testimonials & Tips from Our Graduates

The John Deere Graduate Program offers successful candidates an opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of what it takes to help Australian and New Zealand agricultural producers address the many challenges in providing food, fibre, and fuel to a rapidly growing global population. Read about some of their unique experiences with the program, in their own words below.
Max Cusack - Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting (2016)

Solutions Specialist

“Having grown up farming and working in the ag industry my whole life, I wanted to continue pursuing a career that I was extremely passionate about. John Deere was the logical choice, working for a world leader where I could leverage my practical experience with my university education to make a difference to the industry every day.

After studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting, I was able to utilise my business, analytical and financial skills to ensure I was delivering sustainable results to the business. The best part of working at John Deere is working with our machinery and our customers to ensure they get their crops off, and in, in a timely manner, whilst having the full support of an excellent office and staff behind me.”

Q&A with Max

Q: What is your #1 tip for people in the Graduate Program recruitment process?
A: Be honest and true to yourself. Recruiters want to see you, so my number one tip is be yourself and be natural during the interview.

Q: What is the best part about working at John Deere?
A: The best part about working for John Deere is that it allows me to work in an industry that I am extremely passionate about.

– Max Cusack - Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting (2016)

Benjamin Blevin - Mechanical Engineering (2016)

Solutions Specialist

"I was attracted to John Deere’s graduate program specifically because of their reputation, their global presence, and some of the experiences I had in the past working with equipment on farms in Ziimbabwe and In Australia.

On a day-to-day basis I was faced with new problems and challenges, and I found that my problem solving and thinking skills that I learnt in my degree were hugely beneficial in helping me be successful in the graduate program. And on top of that, being able to communicate my ideas with my team was crucial in making sure the projects I was working on were a success.

I think the variety of work available at John Deere is extremely unique. It allows you to challenge yourself, and develop continually to develop yourself throughout your career. On top of that, I think the people and the culture at John Deere make it a special environment within which to work."

Q&A with Benji

Q: What have been the highlights of your Graduate Program experience?
A: One of the major highlights of the year was heading over to the Innovation Generation conference in Perth with the other graduates. The conference allowed us to listen to some influential speakers in the agriculture industry and have some really good chats with customers and growers from around the country. We were able to gain a better understanding of some of the day-to-day challenges that they face, and some of the new innovative technologies that are coming out in the industry.

Q: What is the the #1 tip for people in the Graduate Program recruitment process?
A: Don’t be scared to communicate all of your qualities to the panel. By the end of the recruitment process you want to make sure that you’ve put everything on the table.

– Benjamin Blevin - Mechanical Engineering (2016)

 

Stephanie Gersekowski - Bachelor of Commerce, Finance & International Business (2015)

Territory Account Manager

“The John Deere graduate program offers a variety of opportunities to participate in and lead projects relevant to the business’s needs. During my time in the graduate program, I was able to work in a number of departments, participate in the “Innovation Generation” conference in Canberra and co-lead an initiative to increase employee engagement with the industries John Deere supports.

These opportunities have given me a fantastic foundation for my career with John Deere and I would highly recommend the program to anyone interested in pursuing a career in agriculture.”

Q&A with Stephanie

Q: What attracted you to the John Deere Graduate Program?
A: I was attracted to the John Deere program for a couple of reasons, I grew up on a cattle and grain property on the Western Darling Downs so I’ve always been passionate about agriculture. So it was important that I would be able to apply that passion in my day-to-day role.

I was also looking for a graduate experience that enabled me to work in a number of different business areas. This was so I could diversify and broaden my skillset.  The John Deere program was the only program that offered these opportunities.

Q: What skills from your degree did you utilise in the Graduate Program?
A: I was able to utilise a number of skills from my commerce degree during my time in the graduate program including time management, organisational skills and analytical skills.  I was also able to use my knowledge of financial analysis to forecast, plan and budget for several tactical marketing campaigns.

– Stephanie Gersekowski - Bachelor of Commerce, Finance & International Business (2015)

Chris Weideman - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (2016)

Territory Customer Support Manager

“The culture at John Deere Limited is exceptional and I am so honoured to be able to say that I am part of an organisation that is a world leader in its field - producing food to feed the world. The very first project I was involved in at John Deere as a Graduate was the worldwide rollout of a completely new ordering system for dealers. I feel that there are very few businesses that would provide that kind of opportunity and responsibility to a brand new graduate.

I am on the committee for the social club, I managed a crop growing competition, and have met a whole host of new people that have become my friends. The graduate program at John Deere is challenging and rewarding in equal measure and if you are committed to those linked to the land then this is an opportunity I would seriously encourage you to take. If I walk into a room and people ask what I do, I proudly say, I work for John Deere."

– Chris Weideman - Bachelor of Agricultural Science (2016)

Lachlan Margetts - Bachelor of Agribusiness (2014)

Turf & Key Accounts Manager

"The John Deere graduate program has provided a thorough understanding and allowed me to explore the many different facets of the business. The flexibility in the program has helped to further my interest in particular areas within the company and has been a continual learning experience.

While in the graduate program, I have been fortunate to travel to various regions within Australia to talk with John Deere dealers and our customers. These opportunities have helped my professional development and extended my skills which will equip me as I continue through my professional career.

I encourage anyone with an interest in agriculture and working for a global company to pursue a career with John Deere.”

– Lachlan Margetts - Bachelor of Agribusiness (2014)

Steven Brown - Bachelor of Business (2012)

IT Analyst

"Since starting at John Deere, I have been given the opportunity to work on a number of marketing and sales projects. Being given the responsibility of these projects and seeing the end results and their impact on the business has been extremely rewarding.  The agriculture industry continues to evolve as new technologies are created and John Deere is at the top of the game with their high quality product offerings.

Being able to work directly with these products and with a company that continues to be named as one of the most ethical companies in the world gives me a feeling of great pride and I know that I will have a long and fulfilled career here. I look forward to the rest of the opportunities and challenges that the graduate program and any future roles at John Deere have to offer."

– Steven Brown - Bachelor of Business (2012)

Lance Dickeson - Bachelor of Business Information Systems (2011)

Solutions Specialist

"Since starting the graduate program I've been exposed to a wealth of knowledge and experience in different departments within John Deere. Being part of such a large global company has many benefits with opportunities for travel and to broaden my horizons. Coming from a rice farm in Victoria and working as a contract harvester across Australia and overseas, I wanted to apply my Business / IT degree to a company that would use my whole background of knowledge and experiences. The John Deere undergraduate program is the perfect way to do this."

– Lance Dickeson - Bachelor of Business Information Systems (2011)

Chris Brock - Bachelor of Engineering - Automotive (2011)

Territory Customer Support Manager

"The John Deere Graduate program provides an excellent introduction to the company. The program has allowed me to work with different managers on separate projects; this really helps to increase my knowledge of the products we offer and also develop my career.

John Deere provides an outstanding working environment with help and support readily available. Since entering the graduate program I have had the chance to travel to almost every state of Australia and also New Zealand. The future job opportunities are exceptional and I look forward to furthering my career with the company."

– Chris Brock - Bachelor of Engineering - Automotive (2011)

Hannah Sturgiss - Bachelor of Rural Business (2009)

Territory Account Manager

"The quality of the graduate program offered by John Deere is nothing but first class. Having completed a year in the program jam packed with diverse experiences from a variety of departments such as marketing and logistics I feel that I am well placed to further build my career within the company. The program consistently offered new challenges and opportunities for my development and helped to build both my knowledge and passion for agriculture, business and rural Australia. Highlights of the program have included the opportunity to travel through most of Australia on dealer visits and contributing to projects that count towards the performance of the company. I am looking forward to continuing a long and prosperous career within John Deere."

Q&A with Hannah

Q: What is your #1 tip for people in the Graduate Program recruitment process?
A: Find an organisation that aligns with something you are passionate about. For me personally that was business and agriculture and being able to combine those. I’d also advise that you need to approach it like you are interviewing for a career, you want something that is going to have longevity, and that you are going to be enthusiastic about in the years to come.

Q: What skills from your degree did you utilise in the Graduate Program?
A: Networking…building meaningful relationships with my co-workers absolutely helped with my experience not just in the graduate program but also as my career has progressed.

– Hannah Sturgiss - Bachelor of Rural Business (2009)