Mia Thomas

My career in freight forwarding started in 2020. It began with a work experience placement at DSV, It gave me a real taste of the fast paced and ever changing nature of the industry. That short term opportunity quickly turned into something more, and today I’m working in a key accounts and sales role, I have also recently had the privilege to take part in the CBAFF Generation Future Awards. This is something I would recommend that we encourage more people to take part in.

 

The thing that has helped me the most in getting to where I am today is the people in our industry. I’ve been lucky to work with and learn from some incredibly knowledgeable and supportive colleagues. Their willingness to share what they know and their encouragement to ask questions and keep learning has made a big difference in my growth.

 

Even though I haven’t been in the industry very long, I’ve already seen big changes. One of the biggest has been the rise of AI and automation. When I started, AI wasn’t really being talked about, and now it’s becoming a standard part of how we do things.

 

What I love most about working in freight is that no two days are the same. There’s always a new challenge, a new client, or a new skill to learn. It keeps me on my toes and constantly growing.

 

One of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on so far was arranging a shipment of festival toilets. It might not sound glamorous, but it was complex. I had to organise cranes, specialised trucks, and research pilot vehicle requirements all things I’d never done before. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I learned so much in the process.

 

To anyone thinking about a career in freight forwarding or customs brokering, my advice would be this think big. The opportunities are endless if you’re willing to stay curious and ask questions. Not everything will go your way sometimes people say no, and yes, that can sting, I know it dose for me. But don’t let it stop you. Learn from it, dust yourself off, and keep looking for the next opportunity to grow.

 

Looking ahead, I think our future depends on two key things embracing technology but most importantly investing in people. We need to keep up with innovation, but also make sure we’re developing the next generation of talent. If we can do both, I believe the industry will continue to thrive.

 

Finding My Way In Freight - follow the link to read Mia's submission for Generation Future Young Achiever Award 2025