Graduate Profile - Bachelor of Behavioural Science

Degree Awarded (and majors if relevant): Bachelor of Behavioural Science
Position Gained: School Liaison Officer, Higher Education Sector
Commencement Date: February 2002

Could you give us a brief description of what your position involves?

As a school liaison officer I am involved with the recruitment of new students and the marketing/promotion of the University. On a day to day level this involves; visiting metropolitan, country and interstate high schools, promoting the University and its courses, running campus tours, promotion and administration of the University's Access & Equity schemes and the organisation of other recruitment events. The area I work within also administers graduation ceremonies, examinations and the admissions cycle, so at times I am also involved in these areas as well.

Have the skills you developed at university been an important part of your job?

Yes, definitely. The skills I developed during my studies at university have allowed me to enjoy a smooth transition from being a full-time student to being a member of the workforce. Many of the skills acquired during my degree such as; leadership skills, communication and interpersonal skills, analytical and problem solving skills, time management skills, data analysis skills and teamwork skills, are transferable to the workplace and also to real life community problems and situations. Developing and using these skills in a practical sense as a student definitely gives you an advantage when you enter the workplace.

The actual experience of being a university student has been particularly relevant to this position as I am able to relay the positive experiences I've had to prospective students and I am also able to offer practical advice.

With your experiences in securing employment what advice would you give to students who are in their first, second, and final year of study?

During first year I think it's important to focus on getting used to a new environment and lifestyle, especially for those who are coming to university straight from year 12. It is important to get a good understanding of what is expected from you during your course and to set a good foundation for your studies. This could involve familiarising yourself with the resources that are available to you or even things as small as learning how to reference your work correctly.

Second year is a good time to start networking and to start paying more attention to the kind of job opportunities that are available. It could also be a good time to try and focus on what direction you want to take your career, especially if you are studying a generalist degree where the options may be quite diverse. Second year could also be used to get involved with professional development programs that complement your degree. This could involve attending workshops/seminars or gaining some work experience in your area of interest.

The final year of study is the time to start approaching potential employers and making serious attempts to gain employment. Consider part-time employment in your area of interest. Although this will extend the period of time you spend at university the advantages of gaining 'on the job' experience will be beneficial when you graduate. This can also help curb the sense of anxiety and bewilderment some students feel as the end of their course nears. Putting the skills you have learnt into practice while you are still studying helps you to define the early steps of your career path more clearly and also makes for a smoother transition from studying to working.Many employers presenting employment information sessions have commented on the importance of students undertaking extra curricular activities during their time at university.

Could you comment on this?

I agree that extra curricular activities are definitely important. The competition for good jobs in a city as small as Adelaide is intensely fierce and I think anything that gives you a head-start can only work in your favor. It is no longer realistic to assume that because you have a degree you are going to get a good job. Even if a student has graduated with a distinction average, an employer may prefer an applicant with a credit average who has a more diverse list of skills and experiences.

How did you go about finding employment?

I started working as a casual in the Higher Education sector during the second year of my degree. I worked in various administrative roles in many different areas of the University. During this time I made many contacts and had the opportunity to explore the diverse range of opportunities offered within the sector. I spent a lot of time researching what types of positions were available within the Higher Education sector and also other industries. I became familiar with many employment agencies and kept an eye on vacancies advertised in the press and on the internet. I also found it useful to talk to people who were working in positions that interested me. Asking people how they got to where they are takes some of the mystery away for people just starting to create their own career paths. On the completion of my degree I was still employed by the University as a casual which made me eligible to apply for my current position.

Can you briefly describe the application process relevant to your position?

The application process for my position involved a written application addressing selection criteria and an interview. During the interview I was required to answer a series of question about my skills and interests. I was also required to give a presentation responding to two question which I had been briefed on a week before the interview.

What did you do to prepare for the interview?

To prepare for the interview I re-read over my application letter and formulated a series of questions based on the selection criteria I had responded to. By preparing answers to these questions before the interview I felt more comfortable about my ability to answer the questions during the interview. I practised my presentation countless times in front of anyone who would listen. I also made an appointment to talk with the Head of the area offering the position prior to lodging my application. By doing this, it gave me the opportunity to find out some more details about the position and to show to the prospective employer how genuinely interested I was in the position. It also allowed the opportunity for the employer to put a face to a name, which I believe helps immensely.

Do you have any helpful hints for graduates?

Don't be shy. Even if you're not extraverted by nature, fake it! It helps if you can sell yourself well and show a moderate to strong sense of self-confidence.

Always keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. I think it's always important not to rule things out too early. If you find a job that you are vaguely interested in, explore it further to find out what other opportunities it may open for you. Sometimes a job description advertised in a few lines does not give an adequate representation of what the position actually involves and if you don't dig a little deeper you never find out.

Try not to take rejection personally. Sometimes the competition for one position is so fierce that there may be many candidates who could have done the job adequately but there was onIy one position available. In those cases it's just bad luck and shouldn't be taken personally. I made a point of following up with employers if I had made it to the interview stage but didn't win the position. By debriefing on the process with the employer you get invaluable feedback and it also helps you to feel invigorated for the next interview.