Name: Paul 
Role Title: Technical Officer 
Location: CropTec Fertilisers and Seed

Description of work undertaken:  Paul carries out various tasks while working as a Technical Officer. Some examples include soil testing, plant tissue testing, stock movement and fertiliser, seed and chemical advice in horticulture and agriculture. Paul is responisble for the delivery of chemicals, fertilisers and seed to various clients

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
Some of Paul's responsibilities as a Technical Officer include the delivery of chemicals, fertilisers and seed to various clients, stock-take, technical work (soil and tissue analysis), paper work, invoicing and ordering stock.

Future? 
In the future Paul hopes to pursue a professional career in Agronomy, looking closely at the research and sales of chemicals, fertilisers and seed.

BACKGROUND:
Grew up where? 
Paul grew up in Mildura, Victoria. He first began to work in Agriculture when he moved to Shepparton after finishing his HSC, working with dairy and broad acre enterprises. Paul believes that this is where he gained interest in agriculture.

Course(s) studied: 
Tertiary /post secondary:
Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture), The University of Melbourne, Dookie College.

Secondary: 
Paul's HSC subjects included; Agriculture, Economics, Chemistry and Biology. Paul believes that the subjects he had chosen were helpful for his course at Dookie. 

Work experience: 
Paul completed work experience with a number of organisations. During Year Ten Paul gained experience working as a Park Ranger in Buronga, NSW. During his time in the Goulburn Valley region, in particular while at Dookie, Paul gained experience in all practical aspects of Broad-acre and Dairy Farming. Paul has also been employed by Farmright Technical Services conducting soil analysis.

OPPORTUNITIES: 
Further study: 
Paul hopes to acquire additional agronomy accreditations with fertiliser and chemical companies. He also wishes to obtain his Masters in Agriculture and a Bachelor of Education, to broaden his career opportunities.

Learning on job, new skills, etc. 
Some of the new skills Paul has developed include; chemical safety, chemical resistance, chemical rates for different situations, extension with farmers, interpretation of soil and tissue analysis to suit different farming situations.

Travel, etc.
Paul travels throughout the Goulburn Valley Region, Victoria and Southern New South Wales.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW: 
students up to Year 10
Paul believes students up to Year Ten should keep options open and that they should try to explore a variety of career options through work experience.

VCE students 
Paul believes that VCE students should select subjects carefully that will have some benefit with their selected university course.

Tertiary students
Paul suggests that tertiary students should have a clear idea of their career choice, and that they should focus on electives to achieve this goal.

OTHER: 
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
Animal Nutrition, Rural Finance, Technical Research and Agronomists.