Gemma (Pictured left celebrating with friends) Position Title: Executive Assistant Hometown: Canberra Current Location: Children Legal Branch - Canberra Educational Qualifications: Currently undertaking a Bachelor of Psychology and Arts whilst working full time Download and listen to Gemma’s audio recording. (MP3 2.0MB)

“It’s so rewarding to know that my work is helping in some small way”

I decided to work for DEEWR because I believe in DEEWR’s goals and objectives to provide an excellent standard of education, continuing employment opportunities and social cohesion for the Australian public. I want to write early childhood policy when I finish my degree, so being given the opportunity to work in the children legal branch was an offer I couldn’t pass up.

DEEWR’s portfolio directly affects so many Australians in a positive way. It’s so rewarding to know that my work everyday is helping in some small way to achieve positive outcomes. Not to mention that working for DEEWR provides me the flexibility to finish my degree whilst working full time by providing study leave and a culture geared towards furthering its employees personal and professional development. The department is full of hard working, dedicated people who love what they do. It’s a great environment. I’ve never felt as valued as I do working for DEEWR.

Part of what I love about my position as an executive assistant is that my work varies so much from day to day and is completely solutions focused. The only constant in my role is the morning meeting with my manager and my days take off from there.

Working with the children legal branch has provided great insight into many departmental projects.  The branch has provided advice on the My Child website, the national childcare quality body and the 260 rollout.

As an executive assistant I have coordinated the administration for the legal graduate intake for 2010 and I am a member of the EA (Executive Assistant) Network.