home
careersindustriescoursesprofilescareer hintssearchLandLearn Home Page
Career Hints
Fraser, Pia and Craig
Working with Agriculture, Resource Management and the Food Industries
Logo: LandLearn

Career Hints for Students - Tertiary Students

"There are a few avenues into winemaking such as studying chemistry, biochemistry, food technology and viticulture. I suggest students undertake as much industry work experience as possibly, as this will give students a better understanding of the wine industry and increase their chance of obtaining employment."
Cindy - Winemaker at Beringer Blass, Mildara Wines, Merbein (near Mildura)
   
"Work experience, work experience, work experience!!"
Craig
- Assistant Farm Manager, Deakin Estate Wingara Wine Group, Iraak, Vic
   
"Doing some work experience is really useful. Life experience and people skills are unbeatable!"
Mango - Scientist, Southcorp, Karadoc in NW Victoria
   
"The type of course you complete will really determine the jobs you are suited to. However, it is possible to branch out into other fields by using what you have studied as a launching pad into another area."
Adam - University Student (Practical Placement) - Goulburn Valley Water
   

"If you are interested in a career in genetics work hard in biology, chemistry and maths. Enjoy life and try to observe it whenever possible. Majoring in genetics and biotechnology should put you in a good position for a career in this area. If the opportunity arises definitely undertake an honours project, as this is generally extremely relevant to life as a research scientist."
Amanda - Research Scientist - Molecular Genetics Department, Victorian Institute for Animal Science (VIAS) a research institute for DNRE.

   
"Completing work experience, work placement, volunteer work is the best option to create contacts in the working industry. Try to do this from year one of your studies."
Angela - University Student (Studying Graduate Diploma of Education) - La Trobe University, Shepparton.
   
"Develop your communication skills by being involved in such activities as public speaking. Good communication skills are important in any job situation."
Bailey - Dairy Farmer - Toolamba
   
"Study hard and obtain as much field experience as possible while studying."
Bill - Agricultural Standards Officer - Bendigo
   
"Try to stay focused. Also, establish contacts in selected fields and get work experience within your chosen career area. As the saying goes 'It's not what you know it's who you know.'"
Brent - University student (Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management) - The University of Melbourne, Dookie College
   
"Set goals and work hard at these. Obtain as much work experience as possible and begin major study in areas of interest."
Chris - Orchard Manager - Turnbull Brothers' Orchards, Ardmona, Victoria
   
"Tertiary students interested in doing the type of work I am (Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst) must understand the principles of map projection and GIS. Anybody can use GIS."
Craig - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst - Bendigo
   
"Undertake as much work experience as possible, even if you don't find it enjoyable. The more on-job experience you have, the better chance you have of obtaining employment."
Dale - Technical Officer - DNRE Tatura
 
"Get 'out and about' and spend time researching what it is vets actually do. This can be achieved through practical placement at clinics."
Damien - Veterinarian - Tatura
   
"While at University complete as many work placements as you can and try to match this experience to coincide with your selected career/course choices."
Daniel - Recent university graduate (Bachelor of Applied Science in Natural Resource Management) - Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tatura
   
"Whatever your chosen career path, early in the course look at as many different companies within your industry as possible to give you an idea of options for work when you finish. Look for scholarships or bursaries to ease the financial load. Towards the end of your course, apply for as many jobs as possible and start early - even as early as the start of your final year. Even if the jobs are not exactly what you hope, going along to interviews gives you fantastic experience. Keep your eye out for graduate programs - many companies have them. These programs offer fantastic training opportunities."
Fiona - Beef Industry Development Officer (currently in the NRE Graduate Program)
   
"Practical experience is as important as the theory component in your course, but the practical experience is harder to obtain."
Fraser - University Student (Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness) - The University of Melbourne, Dookie College
   
"Be motivated enough to complete a tertiary course. Being confident in what you do is a stepping stone for future employment."
Hamish - Dairy Farmer/ Manager - Tatura, Northern Victoria
   
"Get some hands on work experience in some different places, so you can get a good idea of what you will be doing in the job. Keep up your general knowledge by reading journals that are industry related such as 'GIS User'."
Hayley - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Officer - Tatura NRE
   
"A very valuable way to learn while studying is to do volunteer work. 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."
Hayley - Landcare Support Officer - Horsham
   
"There are numerous opportunities for Agricultural Science Graduates. For someone from either a scientific or practical background, agriculture is an industry that offers a broad array of employment options. For students enrolled in straight Science degrees, agriculture provides a real employment option and potentially a very fulfilling career path."
Jason - Full time Ph.D. student (Agricultural Science) - La Trobe University, Bundoora
   
"If you want to work in agriculture/resource management then look for summer casual work at a research institute or with NRE. This will help reaffirm in your mind if it is really the sort of work for you. Call 136 186 (NRE's Customer Service Centre) and find out more about the Graduate Program with NRE - it's a great opportunity."
Jo - Sustainable Regional Development Officer - Bendigo
   
"Work experience is very important in order to make contacts and become known in the industry. Being involved in an interest group, association or clubs generate useful contacts."
Jo-Anne - Animal Nutritionist / Feed Quality Analyser - Heiferlink (Shepparton) and Agrilink Feed Services
   
"Don't be restricted in your career selection. Science, food and agriculture are areas which require people with a diverse range of talents and abilities."
Joanne - Communications Officer/Public Relations - Institute for Horticultural Development, Knoxfield, Victoria
   
"Try to get some work experience during summer holidays, even if it's poorly paid. It can sometimes rule out areas that you thought might be interesting. Talking to people currently employed in your field of interest can help and find out if there are professional bodies, such as the Institute of Ag Science, that you can join as a student member. They often have good mentoring programs that can continue after Uni."
Joanne - National Methyl Bromide Communications Officer - Institute for Horticultural Development, Knoxfield
   
"Keep talking to people and developing networks of people who may be able to help you in the future."
Kate - Environmental Planning and Works Officer - DNRE Tatura
   
"Studying agriculture is strongly advised, although other courses can lead to a career in this field."
Kellie - Field Officer (Dairy Industry) - Murray Goulburn Co-operative, Maffra, Vic
   
"The time at Uni. goes very quickly, enjoy all the holidays you get."
Kellyanne - Beef Industry Development Officer - DNRE Wodonga, Vic
   
"As a student you have battled mighty hard and eaten numerous meals of two-minute noodles to get this far in life. Therefore, you should keep at it and try not to loose sight of your goals. The planet's future relies on research, education and better management. We need young people out there, qualified and ready to go."
Kim - Environmental Scientist (Private Consultant) - Sinclair Knight Merz, Tatura
   
"Gain as much practical experience as they can within your chosen field."
Kim - Quality Assurance Officer - Ardmona Foods Ltd, Mooroopna, Victoria
 
"The type of role that I perform (Senior Science Policy Analyst) requires curiosity and the ability to grasp concepts quickly. The teams I work with involve people with many qualifications including: medicine, law, environmental science, science, agriculture, veterinary science, and economics."
Kimberley - Senior Science Policy Analyst - DNRE, East Melbourne
   
"Work hard with your studies and try to gain as much practical experience as possible. Don't be afraid to change the path you are on, because many people do not end up in their selected career area."
Kylie - Technical Officer, Pathology and Sustainable Agriculture - DNRE, Tatura
   

"Obtaining as much work experience (voluntary or paid) as possible in selected field areas is considerably important for future employment."
Lexie - Part time Ranger and university student - Dookie Bushland Reserve, The University of Melbourne, Dookie College

   
"By this stage you should try to have a clear idea of career choices, speak to future employers and gain as much work experience as possible."
Martin - Hydro-geologist - Sinclair Knight Merz, Tatura
   
"Get as much work experience as you can. You learn a lot at Uni, however doing extra volunteer work and work experience can give you extra skills and allow you to develop practical 'on-the-job' experience. Volunteer work gives you a better understanding of the industry and may allow you to develop useful contacts. It is also a good idea to talk to people who are already in the industry that you are interested in getting into."
Natalie - Irrigation and Drainage Officer - NRE Tatura
   
"Try to have a clear idea of your career of choice, and focus on electives to achieve this goal."
Paul - Technical Officer - CropTec Fertilisers and Seed
   
"Gain as much work experience as possible while studying. This helps you later when applying for jobs as you will have developed particular skills that are not directly related to your tertiary qualifications."
Rani - GIS Analyst - Centre for Land Protection Research - DNRE Epsom
   
"For people who want work experience in forestry, the inventory jobs are not too hard to get, and you are paid for doing it. They are good for getting a foot into the industry. My general recommendation is "be persistent" - as an example, to get into Forestry (after a first offer of Agriculture) I spoke to lecturers and was able to secure a second round offer."
Rhodey - Farm Forestry Officer - Officer NRE Tatura
   
"Time management is very important at university, there is always room for both work and play."
Ryan - Graduate Engineer (Groundwater and Water Resources) - Sinclair Knight Merz, Tatura
   
"Do as much work experience as possible to get an idea of what career area you wish to persevere in."
Vanessa - Environmental Scientist - Goulburn Valley Water

top

Logo: Victoria - The Place To Be. Link to Victorian Government home     Department of Primary Industries , Victoria, Australia. Copyright and Disclaimer
This document was last edited February 2002. Website by Boundless Blue