I’m in the Working Age Policy Group, which was my second rotation during the Graduate Program. I liked it so much I applied for a promotion, and I’m still here! I work with policy which helps improve employment services for people with disability. It’s a really positive thing. You feel part of something really big when you’re working on policies that affect the whole country.
I studied a Masters in Fine Arts at RMIT, and yet somehow I ended up as a public servant! I decided I wanted to work in government where I was helping society. I was drawn to workplace relations and employment because everyone has a job or wants a job. And now the department has education as well, we can really affect the lives of every Australian.
I thought I would be so hopeless! But when I started everyone was really supportive. I didn’t really get thrown in the deep end because there was a chance to develop. The social aspect was really good.
I’ve done so many cool things as part of the Graduate Program. My first team was awarded a Secretary’s Award for service to ministers, and I’m on the Women’s Forum Executive Committee. I worked with senior staff on the Disability Action Plan Consultative Committee. I got promoted. And I gave a speech at the graduation ceremony and met the former Secretary.
Never! If you’d told me 10 years ago that I’d be a public servant I would have been surprised. But I love the fact that I spend my time doing something that’s actually making a difference.
Go for it! There are so many opportunities for graduates and it’s a really worthwhile thing to do.