What’s your job about?
I am a STEM Graduate placed at the National Measurement Institute (NMI), a division of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR). I have been working in the Analytical Services branch of NMI with focuses on delivering trusted analytical results to the food, environmental and health sectors. As a Graduate I am able to do three rotations in different areas of NMI within a span of 12 month. I’ve completed rotations in Technical Development and Business Development in the Analytical Services branch, and I’m looking forward to completing a policy rotation in the Strategy and Operations branch.
What’s your background?
I completed a Bachelor of Science with a Chemistry major at the University of Melbourne with an interest in Analytical Chemistry. Because of this interest, I applied for jobs with an analytical focus. I was employed at a commercial environmental laboratory as an analytical laboratory technician for 13 months. During this time, I applied for the Graduate Development Program via the STEM stream.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Anyone with a STEM background is capable of this job! The great benefit of the Graduate Development Program is the diversity of roles that you could be challenging yourself in. I initially have only had the experience of working in a commercial laboratory and hospitality, but now I am assisting the Business Development team at the Analytical Services branch at the NMI with the development of current and future promotional materials. Having an open mind entering the graduate program will open a wide array of experiences that you can have.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Being a STEM graduate that is placed at the NMI makes my experience so unique compared to my graduate peers. I am able to work in for the whole 12 months of my program and view the NMI through more than one lens. On top of that, as a STEM Graduate I am able to experience visits to impactful government institutions that utilise STEM; such as Questacon, Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and CSIRO.
What are the limitations of your job?
As the DISR 2023 Graduate cohort is based in Canberra, there are times where I do feel like I cannot participate in what the rest of the cohort can do as I am based in one division interstate for the duration of the program. But I am grateful for the use of technology to connect me virtually via online Teams calls and frequent events that allow me to come into Canberra to continue building professional networks.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student…