University of Wollongong Career Directory Profiles

Don’t feel like you’re locked into your choices early on in your career – take it from someone who had a career change 10 years into his first career.

The opportunity to work on large projects with experts from different fields to deliver a project that serves the community. It is fascinating to follow these projects from their inception, overcome any challenges that arise, and witness their progress.

The coolest part of my job is the level of responsibility and autonomy I have in completing my work. A lot of the work I have undertaken has a direct effect on taxpayers, and my decisions are trusted and enforced.

Anything from international negotiations, running seminars, inputting into policy, writing briefings, creating databases and analytical tools, being part of committees and consultation meetings – it’s all so diverse and this is the part of my job I love the most.

I have been so lucky in my education throughout my life. Without it I would be a completely different person, and seeing such a concrete (sometimes literally) symbol of access to education for someone is genuinely wonderful to me.

The easiest path may not always be the most exciting. If you’re fortunate enough to have free electives, make them count!

Entering the program without prior office experience, I was initially apprehensive. I had the all-dreaded ‘Imposter Syndrome’. However, the supportive atmosphere quickly dispelled my fears and I felt welcomed, recognised and valued.