You know the saying, "it takes a village"? The same can be said for the Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) graduate program.
From day one, graduates are supported by a strong network of people who help them build the foundations of a successful career. Fellow graduates, sponsors, line managers, and the program coordinator all play a part, providing guidance, encouragement, and opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
Coordinator Graduate and Youth Initiatives Lauren is one of these people. Lauren has been coordinating the LGIRS graduate program for three years.
“The role is incredibly varied, involving everything from program coordination and event planning to stakeholder engagement and strategic workforce initiatives,” says Lauren.
“The relationship-building aspect is one of my favourite parts, as it allows me to connect people and create opportunities that benefit graduates and the organisation.”
For Lauren, the role is about being approachable, supportive and empathic, recognising that starting a new career, especially your first, can be daunting.
“I have an open-door policy and encourage graduates to reach out whenever they have questions, need advice, or simply want to talk something through.”
“I enjoy being able to make a positive impact on the experience and development of our graduates. It's rewarding to help create opportunities for learning, networking, and career growth.”
Alyssa, a past graduate working within the department agrees; the support is invaluable.
“It was quite intimidating coming into this program from a retail background and not knowing what to expect working government,” she says. “Lauren made the transition really smooth, providing us with training and resources, and was always reminding us that we deserved to be there.”
It’s people like Lauren who are making a difference in the department, devoting herself to the positive growth of the future of the public sector. She reflects our LGIRS values, CARE (Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence), as she cares deeply about the work she does and for the graduates she supports.
“More than anything, I hope the graduates recognise how much they grow during the experience. I ask each of my graduates to reflect on their experience at the end of the program, and quite often they tell me how much they have developed since they first started. Seeing that personal and professional growth is incredibly rewarding.
“If graduates finish the program feeling more confident, capable, and excited about their future, then I consider that a success.”
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