Cook Liu shares his motivations for joining Northline

We recently spoke with one of our current graduates, Cook Liu. With a strong interest in International Trade Cook shared his motivations for joining Northline, the departments he’s most excited to work in and some of the standout moments that have shaped his experience so far. Here’s Cook’s story.

Why did you apply for Northline’s Graduate Program?

Having built some experience in Trade and Logistics overseas, I was keen to grow my career here in Australia – and what better way than joining a well-established local business and learning from the people around me. Northline felt like the perfect place to do that, and so far it really has been.

What attracted you to the Transport and Logistics industry?

I’ve always been curious about how goods move around the world – cherries from Chile landing on shelves in Asia, mining equipment from Perth heading to remote sites and cars rolling off ships from Japan onto Australian roads. Transport and Logistics is the industry that makes all of that happen and the more I learn about it, the more it shapes the way I think globally – understanding trade flows, different markets and just how interconnected the world really is.

What do you hope to achieve during your time on the program?

My goal is to build up solid knowledge and become someone my colleagues can truly rely on. Rotating through Customer Service (1st month) and Cartage (2nd month) has given me a great foundation to do just that. I also hope to genuinely absorb the local working culture and make some great mates along the way.

What departments are you most looking forward to working in?

International Freight Management (IFM) — and I’m already lucky enough to be in it. Coming from an International Trade background, IFM feels like a natural home for me. The work is fast-paced, globally connected and every shipment brings something different. What makes it even better is the team – IFM Operations & Customer Experience Manager, Sherry Shafaee and the team have been incredibly supportive and patient throughout my onboarding and the team vibe is something I genuinely look forward to every day. I couldn’t have asked for a better department to grow in.

What has been your favourite moment at Northline so far?

Honestly, there have been so many. Being trusted to communicate directly with customers early on was a big one – it pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way and helped me build real, hands-on confidence. But equally, joining the local Social Club team at Cue Bar for a game of pool was a moment I won’t forget. It’s those relaxed genuine moments with coworkers that made me realise I wasn’t just starting a new job – I was becoming part of something really great.