Graduate Profile - Bachelor of Environmental Management

Name: Andrew Taylor
Currently Studying: Bachelor of Environmental Management
Position Gained: Extension Officer for the Southern Brown Bandicoot Recovery Program
Employer: The Nature Foundation of SA
Commencement Date: 18th April 2003

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

My position at the Nature Foundation has involved lots of research for future projects, newsletters and events such as the National Forum 2002. I had to research & develop a large education display from an old diorama and then market it to South Australian Schools, with help from my supervisor. I also coordinated another project that was to run a marketing survey and write up a report from the results. I also answered phones, learnt donation programs and banking procedures and general office information.

I now am in charge of extension work for the Southern Brown Bandicoot Recovery Program involving brochures, pamphlets, media and community representatives. I need to get all the information I have out to the people that it concerns and in the process try to get people to change their ways.

Have the skills you developed at university been an important part of your job? (Have you, or are you planning to undertake further study?)

To a degree yes, but I found that I needed help with writing reports and other texts as essay writing was not what was wanted in the field. However, I found that much of my environmental knowledge was enhanced through doing practicals, assignments and tutorials. Overall, university did help me a lot, but there is always room for improvement.

At what stage during your studies did you begin to think about employment choices and options?

When I started my WorkReady Placement as an Operations Assistant at the Nature Foundation of SA, I realized how much there was to learn and how much I needed to learn. However, I worked hard and kept asking for more to do and after about a year, I thought I would have been ready for employment. The Foundation was not in a position to hire me, and any other jobs would have wanted a degree and more experience so I stayed at Nature Foundation (voluntary), working as if it was a job. From that dedication, experience and good timing, I was offered a job working in association with the Nature Foundation, as the Extension Officer for a relatively new program, the Southern Brown Bandicoot Recovery Program.

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

Work experience has taught me more than I thought there was to know about working in the field. I have also had the communication and knowledge of other people working and overseeing the environment industry. I believe that working for at least a year on work experience has helped me become better equipped for the future of my career.

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 believe this is true. Even one day a week for a year equates to about 350 working hours of experience, being known, learning as well as helping someone out. This is valuable as it expands your CV as well as gaining a perspective of where in the environmental field you wish to aim for. I learnt that I would be happier in private industry, but maybe someone else would be happy in a government position. I would also suggest doing any courses and attending workshops, conferences and other industry events as you get to know who is working out there, and what interests you.

How did you go about finding graduate employment?

They came to me.

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

I was asked to help out finishing the first year of the Recovery Program due to my work already done.

What did you do to prepare for the interview? What questions were you asked?

In interviews I always try to be myself and be knowledgeable about the organization I am interviewing for. I want to impress but not be seen as too much or over the top. However, I do have limited experience in being the interviewee.

Do you have any helpful hints for graduates?

Enjoy what you are doing.