Andrew Richards, AES, Corporate Health

Name: Andrew Richards

Job title: Onsite Exercise Scientist

Company/Organisation: EMP

How long have you been in the role? 8 months

Give us a brief background on your career to date?

Completed a high performance internship with the Brisbane Lions men's AFL side in the final year and half of my undergraduate degree. Graduated in 2018 and worked as a research assistant conducting research into the effects of natural supplements on exercise performance, resulted in two research papers being published. Now working in the injury prevention, were I am onsite a large mail delivery centre and provide exercise programs and manual handling advice to the 300+ workers onsite.

What have been the highlights?

Travelling to Barcelona to present the finds from research at a conference and having research published!

Any low lights?

This would have been when my research contracts running out having to find work outside of the industry.

What are you plans for the next 3-5 years?

Work through the ranks of current employment with the aim to be a Professional Development Content Manager, I also plan on heading back to university to complete my Masters.

If you could name 3 skills, you need for your role what would they be?

1. Listening skills

2. Empathy

3. Resilience

One piece of advice you would give a student.

Always look for the next opportunity, bite of as much as you can and chew like hell.