My name's Nancy and I studied at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Majored in a variety of subjects - politics and international relations, linguistics, film studies and I did an economics degree as well. 

It was my tertiary background and my varied interests that ultimately led me to choose DAFF. I'd looked through a list of federal agenciesand DAFF was the agency that offered the most varied experience and exposure to a variety of policy areas that were vastly different from one another. 

The contacts and relationships I've established at DAFF have been my most favourite things about the program. At the end of 12 months, you come out with such a diverse network and you end up utilising it for the rest of your career.

The DAFF culture is very unique. Because of the diversity of the portfolio itself, you end up working with employees that have such a varied background and varied qualifications.

In Sydney, it took me an hour and a half of a morning to get to work and an hour and a half to struggle all the way back home. Since moving to Canberra, I've discovered that my work/life balance has really improved. I've got seven minutes time in the car, max, to get home. And the rest of the time is left for me to utilise. It's not all about work anymore. 

The biggest surprise about working at DAFF for me has been the exposure to such a vast variety of work areas. At one stage, I was working in the Aquatic Animal Health unit as the lone economist there amongst chief veterinary officers and scientific specialists. That was a really big challenge for me, not having the background. Now, working in international trade I've got a set list of contacts that I can draw upon in my day-to-day work and I have a background technical knowledge that I wouldn't
have otherwise gotten. 

To those graduating and considering the DAFF grad program I'd say definitely give it a go. It's an experience that you'll find invaluable, regardless of which direction you'd like to take your public service career.