Graduate Programs

Graduate programs provide extensive opportunities and training for recent graduates, and are an excellent way to enter an organisation. Most programs do their assessments from April to August, and so it is necessary to get in early. Even if you are not sure, take the time to apply (generally between two to four hours per application) because you never know what you will want down the track, and the application process is a valuable experience.

WHAT IS A GRADUATE PROGRAM?

Graduate programs are run primarily by the larger organisations in the environmental industry. They vary in format between organisations but generally consist of one or two years of a structured training program. Each graduate has a particular job, such as a Salinity Monitoring Officer, for which they must complete the duties. In addition to these daily duties they receive further training in many different areas of the organisation. This additional training can prove invaluable in improving your skills base and building a wide reaching network. As part of many of the programs there are opportunities to move around the organisation within the period of the program. This may include a stint in regional Australia which can be a great experience.

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The recruitment process for graduate programs can be quite daunting because it is a comprehensive and often lengthy process. Depending on the organisation, graduates either apply for a particular position being advertised as part of the program or they apply more generally for the graduate program and are placed in a position once accepted. The stages of the recruitment process remain similar between organisations and are outlined below.

Stage 1
The first stage of the process commonly consists of answering a number of general questions and sending in your academic transcript. Common questions include "Give an example of when you have exhibited leadership skills" or "Why would you like to work for our organisation?". This stage is often completed online so check the websites of organisations that offer graduate programs.

Stage 2
After stage one, you may proceed to stage two, which commonly consists of a group interview. In group interviews, the employers observe how you function in a team environment and your communication skills. In these interviews, you are commonly asked to give a short presentation on a topic, which they give you on the day, and complete problem solving exercises as a group. The problems are often situations you are likely to experience as part of the job such as dealing with a potentially contaminated site or organising a budget according to priority projects.

Stage 3
The third stage varies between organisations and depends largely on the position you are applying for. It commonly consists of an individual interview with a member, often the manager, of the unit you will be working with, and a coordinator of the graduate program. Questions are usually specific to the position but they can ask more general environmental issue questions, such as "Please define Environmentally Sustainable Development".

The recruitment process for graduate programs is often gruelling and the group interviews can go for an entire day, but they give you lots of opportunities to show the employer your strengths. Even if you do not get the position, completing the process provides good experience for future interviews.

Environmental Graduate Programs are available through:

DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT (DSE)

www.dse.vic.gov.au 

Other organisations that may offer programs include:

THE COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, WATER, HERITAGE AND THE ARTS

CITY OF MELBOURNE

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (DPI)

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY

VICTORIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

MELBOURNE WATER

BHP BILLITON

SOUTH EAST WATER

ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY - NEW SOUTH WALES

and many more places. To learn more visit the 'Employment' pages of the organisations that interest you.