Graduate Stories
Michelle O'Brien: Health Promotion Officer, Population Health Directorate
I graduated at the end of 2002 at a time when jobs were extremely scarce with few and far in-between. My first 'real job' was working for The Cancer Council WA.
You know how your lecturers tell you just how important your final prac is, and to pick somewhere you would actually like to get a job, blah blah (like they know what they are talking about)? Well they are right! After doing my 100 hour Prac at The Cancer Council, I was offered a short-term contract a few months later.
My advice... never say no to a contract as short as it may be. My position with The Cancer Council was initially for 7 weeks! That 7 weeks turned into 6 months and was the foot in the door I needed. I worked on the SunSmart project, coordinating the SunSmart Schools Program, Kidskin and developing a SunSmart Clubs Program.
After funding ran out for that position I then got a 6 month contract with the Town of Kwinana where I coordinated a project to get residents more physically active using local physical activity facilities and advocating for the provision of more facilities in local parks.
From there I secured my first permanent position with the Health Department in Geraldton where I am now. In this position I coordinate the Tobacco Control portfolio and service the whole Midwest Murchison region (that goes along the coast from Leeman to Kalbarri, then inland as far as Meekatharra). I highly recommend the move to the country as I am having an absolute ball! The work is fantastic as you have far more responsibility than in the metro area and get such a great range of experiences and get to do some really nitty gritty hands on work. You also get to travel around the country while being paid (and working of course!). The lifestyle is fantastic, and I am meeting loads of great new people and gaining a range of new life experiences. I have not looked back for one second.
My great words of wisdom? Be Proactive! I could not have got to where I am now, without constantly ringing, emailing and writing to people offering to do volunteer work (or paid work!). I did not get my first two jobs by doing job applications. I was proactive (and perhaps lucky for ringing the right people at just the right time) where positions were available on a short-tem basis that they didn't want to advertise. So get out there, and do not be afraid to move to the country and do a 'country stint' or perhaps more. There is such a wonderful, adventurous and fun life in the country.
Good Luck!
Michelle O'Brien