I had an unconventional path to DFAT, studying Commerce and Marketing in Adelaide and Singapore before working a series of odd jobs doing everything from sales and project management to dishwashing and website design. My student self would have baulked at the idea of working for the government, but I’ve found the entire experience surprisingly enjoyable. You’re surrounded by smart, motivated, friendly people in an intensely liveable city with interesting work and a great quality of life.
I’ve spent time in the Media Liaison Section and the China Economic and Trade Section, where I’ve had the chance to do everything from run a media visit with Chinese journalists to being the Department’s primary media contact out-of-hours. I’ve sat in a senate committee room and taken notes while senior staff get grilled by politicians and edited documents ultimately released by ministers.
As a graduate, you have training heaped upon you, spending weeks with your fellow grads learning about everything from indigenous Australia to international law. This is a wonderful chance to both learn and bond with your colleagues – and it’s these people that make the graduate experience so special. There are engineers, lawyers, linguists, actors, development specialists – but, more than their profession or degree, they’re all good people.
Pay no heed to hearsay when it comes to Canberra, there’s never been a better time to live here. Despite the chilly winters, my time in Canberra and the DFAT grad program has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.