Defence Pathways - Graduate Development Program - Finance
The Finance Pathway promotes learning and development. It encourages participants to consider a variety of positions in the Department and the wider Australian Public Service, to gain skills to set the foundation for a rewarding career.
Duncan says his best tip for graduates wondering whether Defence is the right fit for them, is to keep an open mind with regards to what constitutes the business of Defence
. He said, The Department has an incredible variety of career opportunities and, out of all the departments, it complements graduates from the largest number of disciplines.
He said it was the ability to combine finance with national security, work on complex and strategic issues, and the variety of placements available to graduates
, that saw him apply.
And he wasn't disappointed. I worked in diverse areas that I had never previously considered. My rotations exposed me to a major ICT acquisition project, financial reporting and airworthiness in Defence. These rotations developed my understanding of procurement, how finance works in Defence, and capability, which are all integral to my current position, in the Capability Development Group.
As to what he enjoyed most in his Pathway, Duncan listed:
- A large social network for those moving to Canberra.
- Working with Australian Defence Force personnel.
- Developing skills applicable to public and private sectors.
- Working on major capital acquisition projects.
- Being embedded with the services provided opportunities to learn and develop professionally.
Duncan completed this Development Pathway in 2011.