Matthew Naylor
Commercial Assistant, Damco (New Zealand)
Job Basics: Freight forwarders work in an office and arrange cargo movements to and from international destinations via sea or air. Matthew works on pricing and contracting for business clients and getting cost packages together.
Starting work in the freight forwarding industry instead of heading to university has been a great decision for Auckland freight forwarder Matthew Naylor.
He's created a career in the constantly growing international business while many of his mates who went on to tertiary education are still trying to make their minds up about where they want to be.
"Lots of my friends who went to university not really knowing what to do are now starting in their jobs with student loans and they still aren't sure where they want to go," he says.
"I've been lucky to be able to set up my career in this industry."
Matthew has worked for a number of companies since getting his first freight job straight out of school.
He currently works for Damco, a subsidiary of the 'AP Moeller Group' of companies, which includes global shipping giant Maersk Line.
"It's a great career path. The way the industry runs means there is good opportunity to make good money and excellent prospects for advancement and there is a shortage of employees," he says.
Matthew says in simple terms freight forwarding is the handling management of all sizes and types of goods from small quantities via air, through to large container volumes.
A freight forwarder is able to help people and businesses get anything, anywhere.
Freight forwarders work in the office and arrange cargo movements to and from international destinations via sea or air, though many companies also have their own warehousing facilities as well.
"It's not an industry that people think of straight away as a career like a doctor or teacher. People don't really understand what it's all about but without freight the world would come to a screaming halt people don't know how important it is."
Attributes that may help you out in the freight forwarding business include people skills, because you are constantly talking to people, basic maths skills and some geographical knowledge, says Matthew.
The international aspect is part of the job that really appeals to Matthew and he has even travelled to Singapore and Sydney for work trips.
"I don't know of any other job where there is more opportunity to develop internationally," he says. "You make so many contacts in the freight industry locally and overseas through the normal job routine."
Working for an international company like Damco means with a few years experience he should be able to transfer to another country relatively easily.
"Lots of people change their jobs. You are always making contacts. Once you get some experience you can go anywhere," he says.
There is opportunity to make good money as well.
An entry level person can earn $20,000 - $25,000 which can increase to $35,000 - $40,000 after a few years, he says.
Matthew enjoys the social side of the industry too and most offices are open plan so you have to know how to get on with others.
Many companies also have great social functions and touch rugby and indoor netball teams, he says.
The Gateway Programme is one way to get some good firsthand experience of the industry at secondary school.
Through the programme students can work one day a week at a company that is willing to participate.
Matthew also suggests searching the yellow pages and making some calls to people in the Human Resources Department of freight forwarding companies regarding job possibilities.
He says it's an achievable goal to get into the freight forwarding industry and he has proved that it's a positive move to make.
"This is a career not a job for me. I'm happy," he says.