What was your overall experience of the graduate program?
The breadth of experience and exposure the graduate program offers has been invaluable to me – both professionally and personally. As a graduate of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), you quickly gain insight into whole-of-government approaches to policy and develop cross-agency relationships. The Department appreciates the fresh and innovative thinking graduates bring to policy problems, so you are always encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas.
At PM&C, you are surrounded by people who want the best for you, and who will happily go over and beyond to help you achieve your goals. I have developed meaningful relationships with colleagues and mentors, all of whom have been extremely generous in sharing honest advice and wisdom that has helped shape my career trajectory. I have been lucky enough to stay on permanently with the Office for Women. In this team, I had the opportunity to support the official Australian Delegation to the 67th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW), the largest global gathering dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women. I got the chance to work with influential and inspirational women who have dedicated their careers to progressing gender equality. The experience was incredible, and something I didn’t think would be possible during my first year in public service!
Why did you decide to work in government?
We are still living in a world riddled with inequality and disadvantage. I am committed to and have a vested interest in working towards a future where gender equality is achieved. Before jumping into public service, I dedicated a lot of my time to advocating for women's rights domestically and internationally. I saw the work and touch point the Office for Women had internationally at the UN CSW, and domestically during my work with NGOs. I wanted to understand how the government was making decisions and drafting policy, and how they were ensuring the people's policy impacts were at the centre of it all.
Why did you apply for the graduate program in your area?
PM&C offers a unique graduate experience that allows you to curate your own program. You are given the autonomy and trust to network with PM&C teams to secure rotations that align with your interests, and values and challenge your skill set. I purposely sought rotations that not only sparked my curiosity but also challenged my thinking and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Rotating through the National Office for Child Safety, G20, Behavioural Economics Team of Australia, and finally the Office for Women, I truly witnessed the wide range of career paths PM&C has to offer.
What has surprised you most about working in the public service?
I don’t know if this is a surprise, or more so my naivety, but the intense impact that our work has on people across Australia. Every day, people in public service are working towards the common goal of making the world a better place. When public policies are carefully designed and genuinely consulted on, they are an extremely powerful force of change. Being a part of that change, and witnessing the direct impacts our work has on people is so rewarding! It is an extremely privileged position to be in, so it is important that the Government continue to strengthen the public’s trust through listening, understanding, and collaborating with the people directly impacted by policies.
What tips do you have for those who wish to apply to the graduate program?
Be confident, and authentic and really understand why you want to apply for the graduate program. The public service offers a multitude of graduate programs, so exploring all your options with an open mind may lead you down a career path that you never even knew existed! Evaluating what you want to get out of a public sector career will help you gauge where your internal motivations intersect with the work of the different departments. Articulating the value and unique experiences that have led you to apply for the graduate program will not only demonstrate your capability but also your alignment with the department’s purpose.
Also, it’s super helpful talking to someone who has been through the program. Most departments have a graduate website you can refer to, alternatively, I would recommend doing a quick Linkedin search to find a past graduate – I am sure they would be keen to talk about their experience!
If you could tell yourself one piece of advice at the start of your graduate program, what would it be?
I feel like people always answer this question with ‘be yourself’, but truly, be yourself. Your graduate year is not only an opportunity to learn about the public sector but is an opportunity to learn more about yourself – what motivates you, what makes you happy and what makes you want to come to work each day. You learn so much each day – so remain curious and approach discussions with humility. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, because that’s where growth happens!