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"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 |