Matt Squires on opportunities, bravery, and career longevity

Matt Squires on opportunities, bravery, and career longevity

Matt Squires has some valuable advice for you if you’ve been thinking about an apprenticeship or your overall career journey. He’s currently Managing Director of MAN Truck & Bus Hong Kong, but his career started as an HGV Apprentice Technician.

Matt, what advice can you share about creating and seizing opportunities?

“Don't always go safe. You need to challenge yourself, and if it becomes too easy, then you won't challenge yourself enough. And sometimes, you need a bit of fear in the belly because the unknown is not a bad thing, and what it will do is make you curious and want to educate yourself a bit better and understand how things work. That can be from a process point of view or an engineering point of view.”

What should someone currently on an apprenticeship know?

“What I’ve learnt is everybody leaves school as an equal. You may be strong as an academic, or you may be a really skilled practical person who can use communication skills, or you can use your hands to do things. Never, never put yourself down and never underestimate the value you add to whatever company or who you work for. And one thing I've learnt along that way is never, ever be frightened to ask somebody. Ask somebody for help instead of thinking you know the right way. Ask, and people will respect you a lot more.”

How do you make sure your personal and professional life align?

“Life and business are all about the values you hold within you. And if you can't be truthful and honest with yourself, and if you can't live by your values in the job that you do, then you're probably in the wrong job.”

Finally, what should someone keep in mind if they’re looking to move up into managerial and leadership roles like you have?

“Give people the responsibility to make decisions. Sometimes, you make good decisions, and sometimes decisions don't go the way you expect them to. But learn from it and, like I've learnt through my life experiences, put that into the job.”

Matt’s career journey is definitely inspiring. We’re proud of what he’s achieved, and we’re sure we’ll be proud of you if you join The Pride. See our roles here.