Name: Hayley 
Role Title: Landcare Support Officer 
Location: Horsham 

Description of work undertaken: 
Hayley is currently involved in the DNRE Graduate Program which is designed to train recent graduates in the field of extension. The program involves working at two or more locations with different programs or projects.  She is working with Landcare at Horsham then will relocate to Stawell to work with Landcare groups in the upper catchment of the Wimmera.  Upcoming projects include development of the West Wimmera Salinity Management Plan and Project Platypus.

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
Hayley has a relatively individual role. The different projects she is involved with mean working with and being supervised by different people. She has met a lot of different people while in this position, although the majority of her work has involved working with small groups.

Future? 
She would like to continue working with Landcare or a similar environment protection program. Hayley also enjoys working with the groups and seeing the impact these groups have on their local landscape and community.

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Hayley grew up in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne but always had an appreciation for the environment, although her exposure to farmers and farming systems was limited. 

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Management). Hayley became aware of the Natural Resource Management course through being enrolled in an Environmental Teaching degree at the same university. She thought the Natural Resource Management course sounded more 'hands on' and decided to transfer into it.

Secondary: 
Hayley says there were no subjects for this sort of work at school, but enjoyed Geography and Biology in high school. She knew she wanted to pursue a career in a field related to these subjects.

Work experience: 
Prior to getting her current position, Hayley held a number of casual and short contract jobs. She worked for Parks Victoria on a casual basis for just over a year and began her time at DNRE by answering the telephone switchboard. This led to working at DNRE with different projects on different days of the week and continuing to work one day a week for Parks Victoria. She later got a six month contract as a Project Support Officer. Hayley says this position gave her an insight into DNRE and also helped her into her current position on the Graduate Program. 

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Currently, Hayley has no plans to undertake further study, but is enrolling in short courses to develop her extension, adult learning, group facilitation and technical skills.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Hayley says in the Graduate program there are many opportunities to develop new skills. On the job experience and skills are obtained through working with different people, projects, programs at various locations.

Travel, etc.
She has travelled to various locations since being on the Graduate Program. Meetings, training days and co-workers are located in a variety of locations. She is  gradually becoming familiar with North West Victoria in particular, and says it has been great to increase her knowledge of the location of towns, the different rural industries and landscapes throughout Victoria.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
students up to Year 10
Hayley's advice is to think about the subjects you enjoy, your hobbies, interests and what it is about them that appeals to you. She thinks that these indicate the areas you will enjoy and be successful in. Study these subjects and begin to identify your potential career areas. Look in the employment section of newspapers to get an idea of the industries and jobs that exist.

VCE students 
If you don't know what your ideal career path is, continue to study the subjects you enjoy. Consider the aspects of the subjects that you enjoy most and think about them in relation to your future career.

Tertiary students
A very valuable way to learn while studying is to do volunteer work. Hayley found that being able to relate the theory you are taught at university to practical and work environments helps you learn from a different aspect. It is a great way to become aware of potential job opportunities and will put you a step ahead when you have completed your degree. 

OTHER: 
Comments, thoughts, suggestions. 
Chose a career path in a field that you enjoy or feel you have a personal interest in. Your work is a major part of your life and a big contributor to your personal happiness.