Department of Education

In my previous teams I was unsatisfied with my roles and day-to-day tasks. My first rotation saw me in a program delivery area where I was processing applications in line with statutory criteria in the Higher Education space. This was a bad fit for me as I came to the Department with a particular interest in using my law degree to help develop policy that affects young people so I struggled with this role. At the conclusion of the Graduate program I was placed into a team that dealt with financial management for higher education providers. This involved conducting financial analysis by reviewing submitted financial statements and determining how financially viable they are. While I learnt a lot, I was frustrated by not being able to put my law degree to use and being asked to complete a job that I was unqualified for, uninterested in, and did not ask for. I have now moved to a policy and legislation team, still in the Higher Education space, which I am enjoying greatly. My day-to-day tasks involve drafting input when requested to do with our team's areas which will then be handed up the chain to the appropriate person. Recently this has involved input on a Treasury Budget Statement related to Women's issues and writing up Talking Points for our Deputy Secretary for when she attends a university throwing an event to highlight their scholarship program for students from refugee backgrounds. I have been excited to work on this kind of policy for a long time and feel very satisfied with the work. I still wish to move over to Schools in future but I am grateful to be gaining some policy experience in the meantime.

In my role I assist with privacy and FOI matters. I am most satisfied when I have a range of tasks to do (as opposed to all similar tasks) and the tasks challenge me.