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Politics, Public Policy & International Relations
Link
here for entry and admission requirements
Where can our graduates go?
Politics/Public Policy
These fields of study develop specifically-related skills and knowledge, which
provide links to a wide range of particular employment opportunities. They also
enhance "generalist" job- related skills-such as skills in research,
information processing, analysis, evaluation, organisation, oral and written
communication, and contextual knowledge of Australia and the world which are
vital and flexible assets in today's dynamic job market in such broad areas
as administration, management, business and the public service, in the public
service, public sector administration and management, research and project work
in the public and private sectors, journalism, human services management, policy
research and advice, government consultancy work and employment in the parliamentary
sector.
Research Officer
- Do you enjoy researching information?
- Want to work for a leading Commercial Law Firm?
- Interested in Government and Regulatory Affairs?
This is an opportunity to join one of Australia's leading commercial
law firms and to be part of the support team in providing research on
Government and Regulatory Affairs.
The position of researcher would suit a junior policy officer or recent
graduate of a political or economics study. It involves monitoring the
introduction of legislation in the Commonwealth and Legislative Assembly,
following and analysing the development of Government policy, tracking
press releases and monitoring the Hansard.
The role involves maintaining a watching brief over the media for information
of significance to the firm and the partners and to ensure that the information
is passed on to the employees of the organisation. Required is an understanding
of Commonwealth and ACT legislative and policy processes, a high standard
of written and verbal communication, strong analytical skills and experience
using a variety of research tools such as the Internet.
No legal experience is required for the role. |
International Relations
The study of International Relations develops specific skills and knowledge
which provide an advantage for employment opportunities in foreign affairs,
diplomacy, intelligence, international research and consultancy, military and
defence administration, international journalism, international human rights
organisations, international development organisations, business and trade,
and international hospitality.
| Christine Giles was awarded a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Politics
and Sociology. She is an example of an Arts graduate whose career is well
and truly on an upward trajectory! "I am presently working as Divisional
Head for a Government Owned Business that exports health services overseas.
I have two divisions directly under my control, namely Government Relations
and Business Development and Commercial Projects e.g. Major projects. This
position takes me overseas regularly and I regularly meet and do business
with CEOs of multinational companies and heads of Government including China,
India, and Indonesia." |
Graduates may enter such fields as:
- Public Administration
- The Public Service
- Public-Sector Research
- Policy Analysis and Advice
- Management
- Foreign Affairs
- Intelligence
- Journalism
- Consulting
- Human Services and Voluntary-Sector Administration
- Project Work and Evaluation
- Health and Welfare Delivery
- Social and Economic Analysis
- Teaching
- Public Relations
- Business and Commerce
- Government Consultancy Work
Australian Communications Authority: Graduates will also have:
- A proven capacity to analyse information and undertake high level
research;
- Sound oral and written communication skills;
- The ability to work as part of a team; and
- Demonstrated high levels of initiative.
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Examples of Past graduates:
Some are employed as Politicians, as Ministerial Advisers, as Party Officers,
as Parliamentary Research Officers, as Electoral Administrative Officers, as
Diplomats, as Lobbyists, as Advocates for pressure groups, and so on.
| A Flinders University student who completed a BA Legal Studies and Public
Policy gained a position as a Project Officer in the Courts Improvement
Unit, Dept of Justice. This position involved "Looking at all the projects
which have been on the "to do" list within the Magistrates Court
for the past 12 months. Looking at the current issues to do with the new
fines enforcement legislation, write-off policy, dealing with an aggressive
clients policy, petty cash, writing of a business case for data matching
issues to do with the system. Basically evaluating and developing policy."
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Some Occupations
Ausaid
Careers in International Development, Canberra Positions APS 4.
Aus AID is seeking committed and highly motivated people to contribute
to Australia’s effort to reduce global poverty. The Agency is particularly
interested in recruiting people with:
- People skills
- Conceptual ability and research skills
- Communication skills and
- A knowledge of development issues
To participate in the delivery of the Australian’s Government official
overseas aid program. Employees at the APS 4 Level in AUSAID are under
general direction required to undertake a range of less complex policy,
program and/or administrative activities.
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- Administrative Officer
- Administrative Services Officer
- Administrative Trainee
- Consultants
- Development Officer
- Development Officer-Local Government
- Diplomat
- Electorate Officer - examples: Electorate Officer-Policy Advisor/Economics
and Social Justice; Electorate Officer-Policy Advisor/Environment
- Events Organiser
- Executive Secretary-Foundation SA
- Graduate Administrative Assistant-Federal Government
- Graduate Officer-State Government
- Graduate Trainee
- Journalist
- Lobbyists
- Officer Trainee-RAAF
- Policy Analyst
- Promotions Officer-Women's Information Switchboard
- Research Assistant/officer
- Researcher-M.P.
- Social Planner
- Teaching
- Tutor
- Women's Advisor
- Youth Worker
Linda Hirschmann completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) gained a position
as a Personal Assistant to a State Member of Parliament. To increase your
chances of working for a politician she recommends: "Doing volunteer
work because it is a field in which you need to get your name and abilities
known to various Members of Parliament. I did voluntary work for a Member
of Parliament down South but I always made it very clear that I wanted
to learn how they operate and what they do so I could get into that sort
of field. "
Dany Hawker completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with majors in International
Relations & Public Policy. She gained employment as a GAA (Graduate
Administrative Assistant) with the Department of Employment Workplace
Relations (DEWR). "(I gave) myself a well rounded appearance in terms
of extra curricular activities, e.g. belonging to sporting clubs, gaining
membership of clubs based on academic achievement, taking an active role
in university life, sitting on various committees and becoming a JP. As
I have mentioned the best extra curricular activity is work. I firmly
believe nothing will replace a solid work history to an employer."
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Potential Employers
- ACT Public Service
- Adelaide Central Mission
- Amnesty International Australia
- Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Attorney-General’s Department
- AusAID
- Australian Communications Authority
- Australian Customs Service
- Australian Public Service Commission
- Centrelink
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Defence Services
- Department of the Treasury
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Department of Education, Science and Training
- Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
- Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
- Family and Community Services
- Health and Aged Care
- Issues Deliberation Australia
- Mars
- Oxfam Community Aid Abroad
- Procter and Gamble
- SA Public Sector
- SAGRIC International
- Transport SA
- Universities
- Victorian Public service
Some Web Sites
ASIO
AusAID
Austrade
Australian Customs Service
CARE Australia
Coffey Pty Ltd
Defence Signals Directorate
DFAT
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
Institute of Public Administration
Australia - extensive links available
Graduate Careers Australia
Graduate
Opportunities - industry career profiles available for government administration,
education and more. There are lists of Graduate vacancies, employer profiles
and details of Graduate Recruitment Programs
Myfuture - comprehensive Australian
careers information
Australian Graduate Survey
Graduate Careers Australia's (GCA) annual Australian Graduate Survey ( AGS ) is a study of the activities of new higher education graduates around four months after the completion of their qualifications. New graduates are surveyed regarding their major activities, including full-time study, full- or part-time employment, seeking employment or their unavailability for work or study.
2007 Graduates at a glance:
- Of bachelor degree graduates who were available for full-time employment in 2007; 95 per cent were employed within four months of completing their degrees
- One-fifth of respondents (20.0 per cent), were undertaking further full-time study after completing their bachelor qualifications
- The typical (median) annual starting salary for new Australian resident bachelor degree graduates aged less than 25 and in their first full-time employment in Australia was $43,000
Source: Australian Graduate Survey, Graduate Careers Australia (GCA)
Additional information from: GradsOnline
More information
For more detailed information check out the Careers Fact Files in the Careers and Employer Liaison Centre Resource Room.
Graduate Opportunities lists major graduate programs. Copies of these are available at the Careers and Employer Liaison Centre or can be viewed online. Search our online recruitment links for other graduate recruitment sites.
The Centre has a number of programs that can assist you:
- graduate employment services including recruitment fairs, employer activities
online vacancies and our graduate email vacancy list;
- information and assistance with your job search;
- graduate skill development programs;
- opportunities to gain industry experience including vacation work and work
experience; and
- career development services
For more information explore this website.
This material has been produced from the Graduate Destinations Survey, Flinders
University and Graduate Careers Council of Australia materials, Graduate Opportunities,
Professional Associations and Careers and Employer Liaison Centre research.
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