“
The world needs food!
Young people can bring
innovation to the sector, via
digital and electronic advances
or new thinking for age-old
challenges.
“
There are endless employment opportunities
in our primary industries regardless of your
qualifications and experience. Likewise
a successful background working in our
primary industries sector can lead to many
other exciting and unexpected career
pathways.
My career as a news journalist was launched
after studying a Bachelor of Communication
(Broadcast Journalism) at Charles Sturt
University. liaising with DPI staff, stakeholders, the
Minister’s Office and media outlets to
ensure the relevance and authenticity of our
communications.
Presenting on television and radio I
developed skills to communicate effectively,
respond quickly and problem solve. I love the variety of my role, working
with a team to deliver effective staff
and stakeholder communications, and
particularly enjoy helping to share stories of
DPI’s innovative work.
Moving into public relations and
consulting roles, I adapted my skills base as
communications technologies developed.
Comms & Media » Careers in Primary Industries
Primary Industries needs skilled
communicators to share information and
ideas, deliver engaging media campaigns and
lead the way in communicating agricultural
research, ideas and visions to the community.
Mel Hamling
Communications Coordinator
This experience led to my current role as
Communications Coordinator for DPI. I’m
involved in the implementation of internal
and external communications strategies
including scripting media messages,
industry-specific fact sheets, preparing
briefings for parliament and developing
ministerial and departmental media releases.
Comms and media careers with NSW
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) include:
»» Public Affairs Officers
»» Communications Officers & Analysts
»» Stakeholder Engagement
»» Graphic Designers.
New technologies will assist primary
industries workers to forecast risk factors
and bring huge career opportunities in
sustainable land- and water-based farming
practices.
Don’t rule out any job that may not fit your
wish list straight away; any position you
accept can add to your skill set and gives
leverage for new roles.
I coordinate digital communications to
enhance DPI’s profile and deliver a range
of communications over a variety of new
digital media channels. This involves
Over the page, see the story of
Mel Hamling, DPI
Communications Coordinator.
[email protected]
w w w . d p i . n s w. g o v. a u
“
“
Agricultural education provided
a foundation for tailoring my
career into what I enjoy.
A soil carbon research project gave me a
foot in the door to a career in Information
and Communications Technology.
After completing a Bachelor of
Science (Resource and Environmental
Management) with Honours from
Australian National University, I started
working with DPI as a technical officer on
a soil carbon research project.
ICT (Info & Comms Technology) » Careers in Primary Industries
There are endless employment opportunities
in our primary industries regardless of your
qualifications and experience. Likewise
a successful background working in our
primary industries sector can lead to many
other exciting and unexpected career
pathways.
ICT careers with NSW Department of Primary
Industries (DPI) include:
»» IT Technicians
»» GIS Specialists
»» Systems Developers
»» Web Content Developers.
I developed skills working with various
communication channels, including
social and traditional media, and this
led to my current position as Senior
eCommunications Officer.
Over the page, see the story of
Elizabeth Warden, DPI
eCommunications Officer.
In this role I help manage online
communications and support the
organisation to integrate and work with
new and emerging online technologies.
DPI has a number of websites and uses
a variety of online communication
technologies. This keeps the job
interesting and means there’s always
something new to explore and learn.
It’s important to be able to work as
part of a team, and be open to new
opportunities, learning new skills, and
increasing your knowledge base.
My understanding of rural industries
has helped significantly in working
with people across DPI and the broader
agricultural sector. The knowledge and
skills I developed, particularly in studying
science, have helped me get where I am
today.
I love the variety of working on different
subject areas, with different people each
day. Having many projects on the go
makes work life very interesting!
[email protected]
w w w. d p i . n s w. g o v. a u
Primary Industries are at the forefront of
technological advancements which makes
it an exciting and innovative industry for ICT
professionals.
This led to a place in the DPI Graduate
Program, resulting in a position in the
DPI Communications and Stakeholder
Engagement team.
Elizabeth Warden
Senior eCommunications Officer
30
SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 4