Case study

Bronwen is a Lecturer in Statistics at The Australian National University

Job pathway

Demonstrator in Biometry > University lecturer (QUT) > Contract lecturer at ANU > Permanent lecturer at ANU

Qualifications

BScAgr(Hons) at USyd, PhD at ANU in Theoretical Statistics

How did you end up working in your current job?

Word of mouth got me casual lecturing and tutoring when I was doing my PhD, and also I have a good reputation with some of the staff here at ANU. They were then referees for the job I applied for at QUT. Once I left QUT and came back to ANU, again it was almost reputation that got me the offer of a contract position from August to Dec last year. After that, I just applied for the permanent role and was successful.

What skills do you use in your job?

Communication skills, definitely. Organisational skills. And mathematical-statistical-biometrical skills. I am teaching a course called Advanced Marketing Research Methods at the moment, which is basically a course in multivariate analysis without matrices. Interestingly, I have been referring to my fourth year notes often, using that same "Fisher's Iris data" as an example. A wonderful reminder that statistical skills are universal – from agriculture to marketing – and the only thing that changes is the data examples you use.

What are some alternative jobs that you would be qualified for?

Almost anything at the ABS or public service; consultant statistician; scientist at the CSIRO. Basically, the PhD is like a ticket that lets you get in through most doors. No matter what it is in, the doors open if you have the ticket. So, people I did my PhD with are working variously as researchers, lecturers, a public servant in Treasury, and as a bigwig at Macquarie Bank analysing stocks and shares.

"Find the subject area that interests you and stick with it....."

What do you think it was that got you the job over other applicants?

Definitely experience in teaching. Doing teaching over so long, in a variety of courses and to a range of levels (first year to third year).

What advice would you give to students who have commenced an Agriculture degree and want to get a great job when they graduate?

Find the subject area that interests you and stick with it. Experience all the things you can during your degree – tutoring, demonstrating, working labs, farm work etc. The more you experience, the more you'll work out what you enjoy and are good at; and the more experience you have the more interesting you'll be as a prospective employee in any field.

What were your biggest mistakes during your life when applying for jobs? How would you have done it better?

I would have been more relaxed. Nobody wants you to be a bad candidate, so don't be too nervous. In all the jobs I've applied for, there has actually been a shortage of good applicants. So remember, they have a role they need to fill. Work out if you can, and want, the job that is being offered, and don't sell yourself short. They are NOT doing you a favour by interviewing you and hiring you; they NEED you! I reckon it's best to think of it as really hiring out your skills, and that way you can work out if you're going to get a fair deal.

What type of activities were you involved in at university and high school, and did they give you any skills that you use in your job now?

At high school I did a bit of public speaking as class captain, which hasn't helped much. Really, it was the demonstrating and tutoring once I got to uni that gave me all the skills I am using and developing now.

What was the most surprising thing about working full time that you did not expect?

Sounds stupid, but the pressure to publish. Since I fell into academia through my love of teaching, the research and publication pressure has always been secondary in my mind. However publishing and getting grants is the way that universities get money, so it really is important. Many academics see teaching as secondary which is unfortunate.

If you could go back to the start of your degree and change anything you did since then, what would it be?

Honestly, I would pay more attention during my PhD and take advantage of the huge opportunity it was to have 3 years to just think and read and study. I put a lot of pressure on myself at the time to just get the thesis finished, but I should have spent more time getting things ready for publication and ease the pressure on me now!

Where do you see yourself in five year's time?

Honestly, I'd be happy to be still sitting here in this office as a lecturer with a couple of publications, a couple of courses that are mine to develop and adapt as I want, and perhaps an honours student or two to supervise.