Melanie Koss went from being a Political Advisor to the Ambassador of Israel in Australiais to being the head of Content Strategy at Phrasetech.
More important though, Melanie is an early rising beach lover from Tel Aviv with a thing for words, a love of adventure and a really loud laugh that I’ve been told you can hear from the other side of the city.
What are you working on these days?
I am Head of Content Strategy at Phrasetech, an exciting startup creating automated and optimized content for the e-commerce industry.
I work with an incredibly talented and hardworking team to deliver engaging content that is created through natural language generation.
No two days are the same at Phrasetech and the work that we do is constantly evolving.
You know what they say about startups; your job is to build the plane while flying mid-air.
What was your first position In the Startup-Nation?
I left the legal industry and joined Phrasetech a year and a half ago.
Back then, I participated in the makings of what is now our Data Department.
There were around 10 of us working there at the time, and I was the only woman in the company.
None of us had defined roles; it was just all hands on deck.
Phrasetech has changed now, we have built entire departments out of the various responsibilities. We have come so far, and it’s only getting more challenging. But at the core, it’s still the same dynamic and energetic collective. Just with louder lunches.
We have come so far, and it’s only getting more challenging. But at the core, it’s still the same dynamic and energetic collective. Just with louder lunches.
What was your first job ever?
The first proper job I had was as a Political Advisor to the Ambassador of Israel in Australia.
I moved to Canberra from Melbourne to take on the position, and really enjoyed being in the thick of the Australian political landscape.
I spent the year writing speeches for the diplomats, analyzing the political affairs of the region and coordinating very exciting projects.
What life event or moment affected your life the most?
Almost three years ago, I made the decision to leave Australia and move to Israel.
I had completed my degrees, officially qualified as a lawyer and was at the start of a promising legal career – but I was at a crossroads.
I knew that the professional landscape of Israel offered me countless opportunities, and I was drawn to the adventure.
I liked the idea of not being able to predict my future, but rather feel my way through the unknown toward a life that I would be deeply passionate about.
It has been a whirlwind, but it was the best decision I ever made.
Best advice you received or would like to share?
Sky time. It’s a concept my family loves to use.
My mother was a single parent who raised three kids on her own.
When we were younger, times were pretty tough, so if and when we were able to fly somewhere – it was a huge deal.
10 years later, we have all traveled the world and are now living incredible lives on four different continents. Whenever we board a plane, we remember to have sky time.
Sky time is contemplating where you have come since your last flight, what you have achieved and where you are headed.
It’s about getting perspective. Can’t recommend it enough! Travel often; have sky time!
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