Graduate profile — Youth Project and Participation Officer
Name: Martin Goffin
Age:
25
Qualifications:
BA Society, Culture and Media
Position:
Youth Project and Participation Officer
Employer:
City of Port Phillip
I am the Youth Projects and Participation Officer at the City of Port Phillip. My role is to help young people be active and engaged in the cultural life of the city. This is to help develop young people to become positive members of society who are more resilient and capable in coping with everyday life.
To achieve this task I create programs and projects where young people participate in their local community in a number of different cultural settings. My role is to manage these programs and projects from conception to completion.
I have organised a number of Graffiti projects, including St Kilda Junction, South Melbourne tram stop and Balaclava Station car park.
With the help of young people I also organise cultural events such as hip-hop and breakdance competitions, music concerts and festivals, art exhibitions and film festival events. I have also spoken at a national conference on the topic of using graffiti as a tool to engage young people in a community development project.
The knowledge and skills that are important in my role are sound knowledge of local, state and federal government structure, legislation and practices; the ability to work within timelines and budgets; good people and negotiation skills; and project skills and event management experience.
I really like the diversity in my job. In fact, there’s very little I dislike about my job. On any given day I could be doing a range of different tasks. I also enjoy the freedom my job gives me to create projects and events that cater to the wants and needs of young people in community.
I work in a great team at council who are always willing to help and support me in my role. There are plenty of opportunities to learn from those around you both in council and the wider service sector context; they all have differing knowledge and skills. Council provides ongoing training to support staff in their role.
Working in the public sector is great. I get a great deal of self satisfaction knowing that I am helping people in the community. The feeling that I get from creating a great event or program and seeing the young people so happy with themselves for being involved is extremely rewarding.
The public sector is a great place to work if you enjoy working with people. Working in community is extremely challenging. It’s an area of work that is comprised of people with many differing views and opinions. Working within this context and reaching outcomes that please most is not easy but ultimately satisfying.
Graduates should definitely consider the public sector when choosing a career.