Six years ago, Eric Dao was working as a courier driver. Today he is a Licensed Customs Broker running his own business.
His path into logistics was not linear. Eric arrived in Australia at 18 as a non-native English speaker, building a new life from scratch. His entry into logistics came through a freight recruitment specialist. From there, he started learning the industry from the ground up: first at a small freight forwarder where he got exposure to the end-to-end process, then at a global freight forwarder where that foundation helped him perform at a higher level.
"The early days were not easy at all," he says, "but I'm still amazed by how it has turned into such a rewarding path."
His experience isn't unusual.
"Most people get into this industry by coincidence," Eric says. "We all start at a similar point." What separates those who progress from those who plateau, in his view, comes down to one thing: a commitment to keep learning.
That is what WiseTech Academy is designed to support. We spoke to Eric about his journey into the industry, what he gained from studying with WiseTech Academy, and what studying alongside a full-time career really looks like.
Building capability through study
For Eric, the decision to study with WiseTech Academy wasn't just about gaining a qualification. It was about becoming genuinely better at his work.
"WiseTech Academy learning is very thorough and written by industry experts," he says. "It helped me build a strong foundation for my day-to-day work, especially in terms of technical knowledge and legislation."
One unit in particular shifted how he worked. "I wasn't confident in tariff classification until I completed the WiseTech unit. The assessment is very comprehensive, covering a wide range of products. That contributed significantly to where I am today."
That's the WiseTech Academy difference in practice: content written and taught by people who work in the industry, designed to close the gap between what you know and what the job actually demands.
How to study alongside a full-time career
WiseTech Academy's self-paced model is ideal for professionals who need to work while studying. Eric is direct about what that requires.
"Studying part-time alongside a full-time job is challenging, but it is not unachievable. Self-paced study offers significant advantages, but discipline is key."
Here is what helped Eric:
- Set a clear end goal. Know when you want to finish and work backwards from there.
- Create a unit-by-unit timeline. Break it into milestones so progress feels real and momentum builds.
- Protect your study time. Whether it's an hour each evening or a block on weekends, commit to it and treat it as non-negotiable.
- Find your people. "Reach out to colleagues on the same journey and motivate each other," Eric says. "Or seek support from someone more experienced who has already achieved what you're aiming for."
The challenge that keeps logistics interesting
Ask Eric what still excites him about logistics and trade, and the answer is immediate.
"This industry has so many variables, and even one small error can cause issues across the entire chain. It's very challenging, and you often come across situations you've never seen before. That's actually the part I enjoy the most."
"For me, nothing feels more satisfying than being able to solve people's problems and contribute value to the industry."
Today, Eric is running his own business, the result of years of hard work, continuous learning, and a belief in himself that never wavered.
Your next step
Eric's story is a reminder that logistics careers are often built step by step: through exposure, persistence, practical learning, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
WiseTech Academy offers learning pathways for professionals at every stage of their career, including formal qualifications, industry certifications, product learning, and industry courses. The courses are self-paced and grounded in real industry expertise, so learners can build capability while continuing to work.
If you're working in logistics, freight, or trade and want to deepen your capability the way Eric did, explore what WiseTech Academy has to offer.