Alex video transcript

[On-screen text: DEECA Science Graduate Program Meet the Grads]

[music plays]

Speaker: Alex

[On-screen text: Alexandra Sadler (she/her) Graduate Project Officer, Agriculture Victoria]

Hi, I'm Alex, a Graduate Project Officer with Agriculture Victoria. I study a Bachelor of Agriculture. I would recommend the DEECA Science Graduate Program to any science graduate who's keen to get out on the ground and use their science skills from day one.

The program allows you to get a great idea of what government does without being tied down to one particular job or stuck as a generalist. You get to use your skills and learn heaps across the government.

[On-screen text: What is the most valuable part of your work?]

The most valuable part of the DEECA Science Graduate Program has been the flexibility and the opportunities to learn. As a graduate, you're not just tied down to one specific role and set of duties.

[On-screen text: What opportunities does the program offer?]

The opportunities that regional living and rotations gave me that I wouldn't have got in the city are the opportunity to meet as many people from the department and see what the department does across the state.

It's also been really valuable as an agriculture graduate to be able to live in the regions and rurally and understand how agriculture works.

[On-screen text: What is the buddy system?]

The buddy system helped me settle into the program by having a friendly face from day one. I met my buddies before the program even started, so I knew who to ask questions of as I was walking in the door. Working on real climate challenges in my role means that

[On-screen text: What is your role?]

I work directly with farmers on climate action and emissions and adaptation. This is really meaningful work and I feel it has an impact on farmers continuing to do their work and preserve the environment in a changing climate.

I would recommend the Science Graduate Program to graduates who want to get on the ground and use their science skills from day one in a Victorian Government setting.

[On-screen text: A day in the life]

On a day in the office, I usually start at about nine o'clock. Usually most of our meetings are in the mornings. In between those meetings, I will do smaller tasks that I can prioritise and that I don't feel like I'm getting interrupted by the meetings.

Sometimes though, the work sort of has to order itself. If I want to get in contact with a dairy farmer, I know I have to call them about 10 o'clock after I've finished morning milking because that's when they're most available.

Every day in the field for me is different, but the other week I got to go out on farm to visit a farmer and install a soil moisture probe. Really rewarding and a great opportunity to get some data for local farmers and make a difference to the way they make their decisions.

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[On-screen image: DEECA branded ending transition and logo]