The Proven Business Impact of Investing In Early Career Women

Eighteen months after completing the First Five Program, two early-career women at APA Group - Arna and Sophia - reflect on how the program shaped their confidence, career progression, and workplace experiences. Their journeys demonstrate not only personal development but also tangible business outcomes, showing how investing in early-career women creates stronger, more engaged professionals.

Why This Matters for Male-Dominated Industries

Arna and Sophia’s journeys highlight the real impact of investing in early-career women. Their increased confidence, strategic decision-making, and ability to navigate challenges have not only advanced their careers but also strengthened their contributions to their organisations. Programs like "First Five" don’t just empower individuals, they create engaged, proactive professionals who drive business outcomes.

For companies looking to attract, retain, and develop female talent, these stories serve as a compelling example of what’s possible when early-career support goes beyond technical training and into the realm of confidence, communication, and strategic self-advocacy.

From Graduates to Established Professionals

Q: What position were you in when you started the First Five Program, and where are you now?

ARNA: When I joined the First Five Program, I was transitioning from a construction engineer to a design engineer in another division of my company as part of the APA graduate program. Now, I’ve completed the program and am in a permanent role as a Static Mechanical Engineer in Operations.

SOPHIA: I started as an Operations Risk and Compliance Analyst and am now on a secondment in the Risk Engineering Team - a move that came with added responsibility and a well-earned pay rise!

Positioning for Progression

Q: How did the First Five Program contribute to your career growth?

ARNA: Leaving the graduate program meant stepping into more responsibilities, and First Five gave me the strategies to push for the type of work that would challenge and develop me. Learning how to "manage up" and position myself for key projects helped me build the skills I needed to transition effectively.

SOPHIA: The program opened my eyes to industry realities, including gender pay discrepancies and career progression strategies. That knowledge made me more confident in asking for specific opportunities, secondments, and projects that aligned with my interests.

Confidence as a Career Catalyst

Q: How has the confidence gained in the program influenced your career?

ARNA: Before, I felt timid at work, which held me back. I’m naturally outspoken, but in a male-dominated field, that can feel like a disadvantage. The program showed me I wasn’t alone, other women shared similar challenges.  I had a choice: stay quiet or own my voice and manage the fallout strategically. I chose the latter, and I’m so much happier and more confident for it.

SOPHIA: The biggest shift for me was being more proactive about my career. I no longer wait for opportunities, I ask for them. That confidence helped me secure my secondment, negotiate time off for travel, and have more constructive conversations with my manager about my career path.

Navigating Challenges & Staying the Course

Q: Have there been moments when you considered leaving your company or industry?

ARNA: While I haven’t considered leaving, the program helped me understand the broader landscape of being a young woman in engineering. It gave me context, not just about my company, but about industry-wide realities, which made navigating challenges less personal and more strategic.

SOPHIA: When I was deciding whether to take extended time off for travel, speaking with the women in my First Five cohort helped reshape my perspective. Their advice led to a productive conversation with my manager that made the transition smoother and alleviated concerns about my return.

Taking Risks & Stepping Up

Q: What’s one ‘out of your comfort zone’ moment the First Five program prepared you for?

ARNA: During my final rotation in the graduate program, I worried about being overlooked since my team worked remotely. The program's strategies helped me stay visible, communicate consistently, and push for opportunities. That confidence also helped me network and secure a role in the team I wanted after the program.

SOPHIA: Advocating for myself, whether for a new role, time off, or career development, felt daunting before, but now I do it with confidence. Taking a career break for travel could have been risky, but the program helped me frame it as a professional step, not a setback.