Name: Kate 
Role Title: Environmental Planning and Works Officer 
Location: DNRE, Tatura

Description of work undertaken: 
Kate's work consists mainly of visiting land holders, providing advice about protection of environmental features, writing media articles, producing brochures and processing incentives for landholders.

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities: The project Kate is currently working on aims to protect and enhance Biodiversity on private land in the Shepparton area. Kate manages the project and works within Environmental Management. Future?  Kate sees herself continuing working in nature conservation with private landholders.

Kate provides advice about the protection of environmental features

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Kate grew up in Shepparton and has always had an interest in conservation. When she was younger she was a member of a number of organisations such as Animal Conservation Foundation and Greenpeace, and got some of her ideas through that involvement.

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Bachelor of Science (University of Melbourne), specialising in Ecology.

Secondary: 
Kate says that Biology was the most helpful subject, and that choosing a Maths and Science stream kept her options open.

Work experience: 
Kate did work experience as a photographer at the Herald Sun.

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Kate is looking at doing her Masters in the near future in Environmental Management/Sociology. She would like to look at landholder attitudes towards conservation.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Kate has learnt a lot through her work. Working with people from different cultures and backgrounds has improved her communication skills. Extension skills in general have improved and she has completed an extension skills course. Project management, such as budgets, planning and evaluation are other areas she has learned about.

Travel, etc.
Kate travels in the local area in her day to day work.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
students up to Year 10
Maths, Sciences and Biology are really useful for getting into an environmental science field. 

VCE students 
Kate's advice is to talk to as many people as possible who are working within the field you are interested in, to get an idea of what you might like to do. Take opportunities for work experience/volunteer work where available and choose a practical course at university, rather than a theoretical one. 

Tertiary students
Keep talking to people and developing networks of people who may be able to help you in the future. 

OTHER: 
Comments, thoughts, suggestions. 
Kate doesn't believe you need to know right now what you want to do for the rest of your career. Jobs are constantly changing and different opportunities will always coming up.

What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
A lot of people went into scientific research.