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Deb Davis

Year of Graduation: 2003, honours in 2004
Current Employer: Department for Environment & Heritage
Current Job Title: Graduate Officer
Honours: I looked at co-operative management between government organisations and indigenous groups in protected areas in Australia
Most memorable experience on the degree program:
Definitely field trips and how well you get to know each other

How has your degree helped you in your current job?
I feel that my degree has given me the confidence to approach problems and think of constructive ways in which to solve them. The theory behind environmental science and the field skills we learnt are essential in the type of work I do. The range of assessments we were required to do provided the opportunity to work with a variety of people. This has been particularly helpful in learning how to work with a variety of stakeholders from various backgrounds. My degree helped me to focus on the quality of written communication, in particular spelling and grammar. This has been an important skill in my current field of work.

What do you do on a daily basis?
Being on a four month rotation this can vary greatly. Currently my daily work involves; collecting data in the field and processing it on the computer, responding to emails, working with stakeholders in regards to the revegetation project I am working on, and attending meetings. As I am on a graduate program I also attend a number of training and development events.

What is most challenging about your role?
Having the confidence to know that you can often do more than you think you can. Don't think that just because you haven't learnt it at uni that you won't have the capability to do it.

What do you enjoy most?
I love being on a graduate program. It is a comforting feeling knowing you're going through the same 'first job jitters' along with a number of other graduates. The DEH graduates and graduate managers are such a great bunch, and attending training and development activities with them is what I enjoy most. It's always good to know you have someone to talk to.

What helped you get this position?
For a number of years I worked casually for the Dept. Env & Heritage. I initially started of as a volunteer doing odd office jobs, and was then offered some casual work which I could fit around my studies. Just turning up to work each week gave me a great chance to meet different faces around the Department and be aware of job opportunities. Networking is the most important thing one can do.

What is the renumeration for this occupation?
$35,500 - $38,500

Do you have any advice for students about career progression?
Volunteer in areas you think you would like to work. In doing so, try and attend meetings where you will get a chance to talk to other people in various environmental fields. Involving yourself in various environmental groups is also helpful; employers like to see that potential employees have involved themselves positively in their community. Start applying for jobs early so that you can start to get experience in the interview process. Always ask for feedback if you were unsuccessful in a position, so that you know how you can improve next time. Network, network, network.

Can you describe your first recruitment process?
I saw the graduate positions advertised in the paper. I then applied electronically; I had to supply my CV and academic transcript.
 

The application process was then followed up with a phone interview.

I was then asked to attend a group assessment, there were 9 others. At the assessment, we had a one-on-one interview, and then we were required to write a mock letter to the Minister explaining why we would be best suited to the job. The third part of the assessment involved working as a group to plan a mock conference, having to overcome problems together in a group situation.

Once successfully passing the assessment centre, we were then asked to an interview with the Chief Executive and a number of directors and senior employees from the Department for Environment and Heritage. My interview panel consisted of approximately 7 people. Although this sounded threatening, they were actually keen to find about more about you personally, rather then just focusing on skills. So the interview process wasn't too daunting. It is important in the interview process that you can provide examples when addressing the selection criteria. I found the experience to be very positive.

Can you remember any questions you were asked at interview?
I can remember a couple, for example:

How structured was your training and what did it cover?
Our training is quite structured and practical, for example; defensive training, 4WD training and records management. We are also eligible for training in areas our work placement may require, for example GIS or quad training. Currently graduates within DEH are completing a SA Public Service Graduate Development Program over a 6 month period.

What do you wish you had done at University?
I wish I did a couple of wilderness recreation type subjects as I think they would be really valuable for team work and leadership experience. I also wish I had perhaps done a little bit more volunteer work to build on my technical skills.

What advice can you give to students currently studying?
Keep your eye out for jobs in your field, look at what the job requires, and see where you can gain these skills and build on them. But don't let not having all the requirements stop you from applying, you never know, you may actually be just the person they want, and if not, it's never a waste of time as you benefit from the application experience. Quite often organisations retain application letters and CVs so that if any future positions come up, they may just find that you are perfect for the job.





 

 

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