Job Satisfaction at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Working in the Procurement Policy team. Updating procurement policies and guidelines in alignment with Commonwealth requirements

Desk officer managing policy, programs and briefing. As a graduate I have had the opportunity to experience different areas of the Department's work, seeing me learn new things on a 4 monthly basis.

Largely process-based but with the chance to get visibility on interesting and sometimes high-profile issues of international significance

Day-to-day responsibilities often centre on briefing and other ad-hoc tasks. Because of the nature of graduate rotations, not a huge amount of ongoing work that we are given responsibility for.

Good scope to perform a wide range of functions, most of which have a clear line of contribution to the outcomes of the agency.

No day is the same. There are your usual day-to-day functions in HR, finance, etc. I have also had an opportunity to work overseas where I provided consular assistance to travelling Australians and helped out in state visits. DFAT also gives its grads some management experience - I've had opportunities to manage staff and brief senior executives on projects.

As a grad you are very junior, and the nature of the work you are given entirely depends on your team and your boss. That said, I have had plenty of opportunities to take responsibility for significant tasks, and to exercise creativity and judgment. What you get out of the work depends on your approach, you do have to be quite proactive.

Incredibly varied tasks to complete on a day-to-day basis. As a graduate we rotate through different parts of the department, each of which offer very different work and responsibilities.

My current role enables me to engage in all aspects of Australia's international human rights agenda. Previously, I have worked on Pacific development issues and benefited from DFAT's exceptional training program (three months full-time training in the first year).

Day-to-day my job ranges from cable reporting to taking notes at meetings, and from organising high-level visits to having input into trade policy outcomes. The role of a DFAT Graduate is varied.

First rotation extremely slow, team reluctant to allocate substantive work, high level of oversight. Second rotation much better - busy, autonomous, team happy to delegate.

I am currently on long term language training in preparation for a diplomatic posting overseas. I have three hours per day with a private tutor and I need to study an additional four hours per day. I'll be on language training for eight months total

Varied, rotation based

Varies from division to division and from post to post. Public Diplomacy (and other promotional-type activities) are becoming more prominent in our work. Lots of briefing and support to ministers and senior executive of the Department. Much administrative and visit organisation work. Some excellent opportunities to be involved with trade or other negotiations.

Work varies between sections of the Department. Day-to-day responsibilities are determined by work flow, often arising from pressures external to the section.