Name: Mark C
Role: Industry Development Officer - Fruit
Location: Institute for Horticultural Development Knoxfield 

ABOUT MY CAREER

What does a typical day in your job involve? 
»I work with fruit farmers to help them improve their farm business. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 
»Working with farmers. 

Why did you choose this career?
»I was very interested in agriculture and farming. 

What would you like to do in the future? 
»I am happy working with farmers in my current job. 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF 

Where did you grow up? 
»I grew up near Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley which is where my interest in farming started.

MY EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

Were courses in secondary school planned for this sort of work? 
»Yes, I did Maths, Chemistry and Biology which were pre-requisites for this course. 

Which University or TAFE course have you completed? 
»Agricultural Science at Melbourne University. 

Have you completed any work experience? 
»I did work experience in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) in Year 10 to see if I wanted to do this sort of work. 

FUTURE OPPURTUNITIES

Is there a lot of learning on the job?
»We do a lot of training, which is one of the big advantages of working for DPI. 

Do you plan to do further study? 
»I don't plan on doing any further study at this stage. 

Do you travel much in your job? 
We have the opportunity to travel to conferences and seminars inside and outside Australia. 

What are graduates from you course doing now? 
Some are working in: 
»Rural Banking 
»Agronomy 
»Farm Management 

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW 
When you are in upper secondary school make sure that you select your subjects so that any prerequisites are completed for courses that you might want to enter.