Graduate Profile: Psychology

Carolyn Linke completed her Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Psychology and gained a position in the Graduate Administrative Assistant Program for the Australian Public Service in Canberra. She works in the Department of Transport & Regional Development.

"I have spent the last seven years (since I finished high school) trying to work out what I want to do with my life. Green with envy at those single minded people who know exactly what they want to do for the next 40 years of their life and can set about achieving it. I have dabbled in this and that at University and thought seriously about taking up at least 20 different careers ranging from an academic in English Literature to Marketing Manager for a major multinational company to a horse riding instructor. With so many interests, so much choice, and so little experience I have found it incredibly difficult to gain any concrete direction which I am told is the only way to be "successful". This is one of the main reasons I accepted the Graduate Administrative Assistant Traineeship - because of the diversity of careers and experience available in the Public Service, and the superb training offered to Graduate Trainees. At the very least I thought if I didn’t like the traineeship I could leave and be able to cross at least one of my many career possibilities off the list. I saw the move to Canberra and to work in the Public Service as a bit of an adventure full of the unknown. I had no idea what kind of work I would be doing or what Canberra was like as I had never been there.

My first impression of Canberra was that it is a big country town. Very pretty, with clean air but not very exciting. However, I soon realised that I could have the best of both worlds. I treasure the space and closeness of the country that Canberra allows, and the fact that even on my trainee wage I could afford to live in a nice house with a big garden very close to everywhere. Being virtually in the country meant that it was easy for me to pick up horse riding again. Canberra is very sports/outdoors oriented and I have since taken up many different activities rather than just the gym that I used to go to in Adelaide, which has been great. Each week I go horse riding, play netball, tennis and go to the gym.

My other favourite social activity - night clubbing - was slightly harder to satisfy. However, I found that it is incredibly easy to go up to Sydney for the weekend. There is always someone driving up and back to get a lift with if you don’t have a car, and putting in for petrol is only about $15-20 return and very convenient. I have friends there to stay with and can go out clubbing to my hearts content. With Sydney being so close and accessible it is possible to have all the benefits of a huge happening city without the high cost of living and subsequent reduction in quality of life. Similarly the coast and the ski slopes are about an hour and a half from Canberra which makes a long day trip or a very easy weekend away.

Socially, Canberra has been one of the easiest societies to assimilate into that I have ever met. Invitations to parties, dinners, nights out etc are all inclusive. As one of 26 other GAA’s, we formed a strong social network that meant you never had nothing to do, and you always knew people who know other people etc etc.

On the work front, my first few months were taken up almost exclusively with extensive training which I thoroughly enjoyed, learnt a lot from, and look great on my CV (including advanced computer training, conflict and negotiation and legal awareness). Being able to experience three different work areas was great because it not only helped me put the whole Department and its role into perspective, but it enabled me to learn more about myself, what tasks I like doing, what kind of work environments I prefer and what career I might want to pursue. Having a say in which areas you work in is also great because if you have a particular interest in a certain area or kind of work you can elect for a rotation there to see what it is really like.

I found my niche in Trade Coordination on my third placement. I love the work, the people and the pace of the Trade Coordination Group. My section has two main roles: one is in coordinating the rest of the Department’s input to international conferences such as APEC meetings, and strengthening international relations by organising bilateral discussions; the second is an Integrated Logistics project which looks at ways of improving efficiency and quality of exports of perishable and manufactured products. It is a very hands on role with lots of talking to people and researching, and getting real tangible results. It is also a very fast paced dynamic unit which is exciting and inspiring.

Since completing my traineeship I have been promoted to an Administrative Service Officer 5 in Trade Coordination which is very exciting. I intend to undertake a part-time Masters in Business, majoring in International Relations. While I don’t know if this is the career for me for life, I am enjoying what I am doing very much, and have the opportunity to pursue my interest in international relations which I am finding more and more interesting. From here I may consider moving to another department that is more focussed on international relations or I may move around the department to explore other career options all while maintaining excellent quality of life (you don’t get any better than flex-time) and encouragement from senior management to develop and learn new things.