Name: David
Role Title: Chemical Standards Officer, Department of Primary Industries
Location: Bendigo

Description of work undertaken:
David is responsible for coordinating the Victorian Produce Monitoring Program which is a chemical residue survey of fresh Victorian produce. David provides farmers and growers with information and advice relating to the use of agricultural chemicals and conducts investigations related to misuse of chemicals.

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
David’s role involves the promotion of good agricultural practice regarding chemical use through scientific analysis of residues and communication with farmers. He is also involved in compliance activities related to the legal requirements of using agricultural chemicals.

Future:
David plans to remain in this area of work into the future.

Background

STUDIES:
Tertiary /post secondary:
David completed a Bachelor of Forensic Science and then completed an honours year in this area.

Secondary:
David completed VCE at Wycheproof P-12 College.

Work experience:
The work experience David undertook was in the area of civil and aeronautical engineering – a very different area to what he is working in now!

Opportunities
Learning on job, new skills, etc.
David spent a year working at an analytical lab, which was a fantastic opportunity to gain an appreciation for the processes involved and to meet people working in this area. Now he is working in the field and continually learning on-the-job and from the knowledge and experience of his colleagues.

Travel:
Last year David had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand to attend a chemical residues conference. He also travels around a large proportion of the north west of Victoria with work.

Advice to Students Now:
Students up to Year 10
Don't stress if you don't know what you want to do when you leave school. I really didn't have any idea until the middle of year 12. Try to work out what sort of topics you like doing when selecting electives and don't just do what everyone else chooses if you don't like it.

VCE students
Pick subjects that you enjoying doing as well as those that you need to do for a certain degree. A good mix of subjects allows you to be flexible in what you do after VCE.

Other:
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
Commercial lab work, teaching degrees, PhD studies and forensic roles with the police.