Case study

Sophie is a Technical Officer, casual demonstrator and PhD student

Job pathway

Service station attendant > Waitress > Rose farm worker > PhD student > Casual demonstrator > Technical Officer

Qualifications

Bachelor of Horticultural Science Hons I (currently a PhD student)

How did you end up working in your current job?

At the beginning of the fourth year of my degree I was determined not to do postgraduate study. This changed closer to the end of the year as I started applying for PhD scholarships along with various jobs and graduate recruitment positions. I was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and a Faculty Top Up Scholarship. My research project is based at the Botanic Gardens Sydney in the Plant Pathology Section. I had done my honours project in the same lab so I knew most of the people I was going to work with and also how the lab operated.

What skills do you use in your job?

My project is based on the genetic variation within a species of fungus so I use basic fungal isolation and culturing techniques. I also use molecular techniques like PCR to observe genetic variation in my sample population. I also use morphological and molecular methods for identification of fungi that I isolate. It is good to have a broad range of skills to draw on that were obtained as an undergrad and a post-grad student. By constantly using them you get more proficient and more confident in your skills.

"Make good use of the work experience program. It is a compulsory part of the degree, but if you do your research and go to good enterprises and companies, you may be able to make valuable contacts for the future....."

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

After finishing the Horticultural Science degree, some of my classmates went on to do their Masters of Teaching so they were qualified to teach Agriculture and Science in secondary schools. Others combined overseas travel with work so they were able to see a bit of the world and get employment experience that will make them more competitive when they come back to Australia.

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

I applied for and was awarded an APA. I think I got the scholarship because I had received First Class Honours for my degree and the project I proposed was achievable. I don't think I would have applied for the scholarship if I did not feel comfortable with the project. I applied for other scholarships that were worth more money, but I did not pursue them as I was not "grabbed" by the project area. Your project area has to keep you not only occupied, but interested for at least three years. I would recommend to others thinking about doing higher degrees to really think about the projects they choose and make sure they can see a clear outcome in the time they have.

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

Make good use of the work experience program. It is a compulsory part of the degree, but if you do your research and go to good enterprises and companies, you may be able to make valuable contacts for the future. Another good way to get contact with the outside world would be to do a fourth year project in collaborations with other institutions like the Botanic Gardens Trust or CSIRO. This way you get to work inside these institutions and learn how workplaces operate.

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

I have not really applied for too many jobs but from the applications I have submitted, I know you have to sell yourself. I was not and still am not very good at this because I never quite know what to write. It is important that you do not understate your skills and abilities because if you don't tell a potential employer what you can do, they will never know.

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?

In 3rd and 4th year of my undergrad study and 1st and 2nd year of post grad I demonstrated in various practical classes within the Faculty. This was welcome as it provided a little extra income, but it was also very valuable personally. It has given me confidence talking to groups of students and also the ability to explain concepts in different ways so that more people can understand. It is important as a scientist to be able to convey your ideas and findings to a wide audience that is not necessarily scientifically-minded.

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

Nothing yet, since I am working on my own project for my degree. I have found it quite easy to work where I am as I worked on my Honours project in the same lab.

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

The Horticultural Science degree is so broad in the first two years that you get exposed to a wide variety of disciplines; this prevents people from missing out on experiencing fields of science they may not have chosen otherwise, but really enjoy or have a gift for. In third and fourth year I chose courses that I had enjoyed in previous years and because I liked them, it was not so much of a chore to do the work. I chose Plant Pathology for my specialisation in fourth year, and I have carried that choice to a further degree, so it must have been the right choice for me.

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

My wedding is later this year, so I hope I will still be married in 5 years time (of course I will be!). I will finish my degree in just over a year's time and hope I will be able to find a job that uses my skills; maybe in the Department of Primary Industries or a university. This may mean leaving Sydney for another capital or regional centre, but I think that it would be good to get a change of scenery.