Graduate Careers

Policy analyst

Main tasks
Policy analysts interpret, analyse and advise on policies relating to government and private sector organisations and projects. They may perform the following tasks:

• review existing policies and legislation to identify areas in need of change
• research social and economic trends to assess the relevance of existing policy
• design new policy frameworks
• discuss and negotiate on policy matters with a range of stakeholders
• prepare reports and recommendations for government concerning policy revision.

Key skills

• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• logical thinking
• good verbal and written communication skills
• strong organisational skills
• an understanding of governmental and political processes.

Salary
Graduate salaries for roles in policy often start at around $40,000. After they gain more experience, analysts are likely to be paid between $50,000 and $65,000. Senior policy analysts and advisors can expect to be paid anything from $80,000 in the public sector.

Employment prospects
According to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEEWR) Australian jobs 2008, current job prospects are good for policy analysts. Employment growth has been very strong over recent years and this trend is set to continue over the next five years.

Main employers
Policy advisors in the public sector have the option of working in state or federal government departments. Others are employed by large commercial or industrial organisations, and in the education and health sectors.

Find out more
Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), www.apsc.gov.au

Back to top

Management consultant

Main tasks
Management consultants study an organisation’s procedures and systems to assess how it can operate at maximum efficiency and success. They may perform the following tasks:

• obtain and assess information on the function of relevant areas of an organisation
• assess work methods and systems, efficiency and productivity
• consult company training manuals and job descriptions
• assess data in reports and statistical records
• identify areas of concern and devise solutions
• compile reports and make recommendations
• assist in implementing new practices and systems.

Key skills

• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• logical thinking
• good communication skills
• strong organisational skills
• understanding of business processes and resource management.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, the starting salary for management consultants is around $40,000. The average salary across this occupation is around $110,000. Experienced management consultants and those in very senior positions can earn up to around $180,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for management consultants are currently good. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Management consultants have the option of working for consultancy firms or running their own consultancy businesses. They are also employed by government departments and in large commercial or industrial organisations.

Find out more
Australian Institute of Management (AIM), www.aim.com.au
Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), www.imc.org.au

Back to top

Intelligence analyst

Main tasks
Intelligence professionals collect, analyse and report on data used for planning, policy-making and complex investigations relevant to national security. They may perform the following tasks:

• collect information, sometimes through covert operations
• analyse information from a range of sources, including information collected under warrant
• conduct and monitor investigations
• provide briefings concerning assessments, and produce reports for the government
• plan and conduct surveillance activities.

Key skills

• strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• logical thinking skills
• strong verbal and written communication skills
• strong report writing skills
• excellent organisational skills
• ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.

Salary
Graduates who gain a coveted position in one of the government agencies responsible for intelligence will usually begin their tenure with a training program of approximately 12 months. Salaries can vary in this early stage but may start at around $58,000. Experienced intelligence professionals generally command above average salaries.

Employment prospects
Intelligence professionals operate in a niche field, with a relatively small number of employees and good job prospects. Employment growth has been very strong during the last ten years and is predicted to remain strong in the future.

Main employers
Intelligence professionals are employed mainly in the public sector and the armed forces.

Find out more
Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers (AIPIO), www.aipio.asn.au

Back to top

Human resources officer

Main tasks
Human resources officers create and manage policies covering all aspects of the workplace experience in a range of different organisations. They may perform the following tasks:

• advertise and fill job vacancies
• analyse the skills and training needs of the workplace
• arrange and conduct workplace training
• coordinate personnel matters such as staff pay, leave, superannuation and enterprise bargaining
• develop and implement policies and procedures relating to occupational health and safety, equal opportunity, workplace discrimination
• engage in organisational and strategic planning.

Key skills

• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• good planning and organisational skills
• negotiation skills
• the ability to deal with a range of stakeholders
• discretion and confidentiality.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, HR coordinators and officers with one to two years experience can expect to earn between $40,000 and $60,000. Experienced HR professionals and those in very senior positions (such as HR Director) may command salaries anywhere between $90,000 and in excess of $200,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for human resource professionals are currently good and unemployment is below average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
HR professionals are in strong demand in a wide range of organisations. Among the main employing industries are property and business services, government, health and community services and retail.

Find out more
Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI), www.ahri.com.au

Back to top

Graduate profile

Name: Sarah Ashworth

Age: 24

Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of International Relations

Tertiary institution:
La Trobe University

Position: Human Resources Officer

Employer: Oxfam Australia

I work in human resources processing the organisation's payroll, responding to staff enquiries and problems and providing them with advice, information and support.

In my job I have contact with everyone in the organisation and I love that. There is also an opportunity to help out on other projects with the unit and the rest of the organisation which is a great way to get to know what each department does.

I have found that my knowledge of employment labour laws, privacy laws and contracts has proven useful in my role. This legal knowledge is especially useful when disputes arise, it's reassuring to know I've followed correct procedures.

I participated in a few moot courts at university where I was acting for defendants whom I thought were guilty on the facts presented. I struggled with the moral dilemma of using the law and any legal loopholes to help someone who I really thought deserved to face the consequences of their actions.

Despite being fictional cases I could see that this moral dilemma didn't sit well with me so I decided against practising it.

I don't see myself ever practising law but I can see myself in a career where I fight for human rights and non-discrimination within laws. I would rather change the law and shake it up than apply it.

Upon graduating I applied for many jobs and received quite a few rejections which can take a toll on your confidence. You have to keep your head up and make yourself believe that if you didn't get an interview or a job then it probably wasn't the job for you.

Back to top