Graduate profiles

Undergraduate Profiles

Roslyn Wood, Third Year Student, BResEc

Roslyn attended Lake Macquarie High School and completed three years of university study in science and arts before transferring into the BResEc. Roslyn said, “Mathematics was my major in my science/arts studies. I saw an advertisement for the BResEc and thought the degree would allow me to use my interest in mathematics to address what I saw to be growing problems in environmental and natural resource management. Having studied previously in large faculties, I was attracted by the opportunity to study in a smaller one and to participate in the Faculty’s excursions and professional experience program.

“The structure of the degree is a great combination of science and economics units. The first two years give you a good background in mathematics, chemistry, biology and geography, areas which can then be taken as electives in the final two years. Furthermore, while the units offered in the Economics Faculty are generally theoretically-based, those aught in the Agriculture Faculty focus not just on the theory, but also its practical application. I believe this gives Res Ec students a great advantage over other students studying only the mainstream economics units…. Plus, it’s also great to see that calculus isn’t just about algebra, differentiation and integration. It does have a purpose for solving real world problems!

“The smaller class sizes have been great. Strong friendships are formed within the year group, which helps to ease the stress of the assignments and exams. Lectures are more personal and the staff actually make an effort to get to know you, give you feedback, encouragement and advice. The professional experience program has allowed me to gain experience in a variety of resource areas, which will be an advantage for my employment prospects.

Roslyn’s advice to students is: “ Take advantage of the additional opportunities offered within the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.”

Vincent Tang, Third Year Student, BResEc

Vincent, a former student of Fort Street High School, is currently in Third Year of the Bachelor of Resource Economics. “I chose to do the BResEc because I was interested in the environment and natural resources”, he said. “I enjoyed Economics and Geography in high school and wanted to study them both further. I considered an economics/commerce and environmental science degree but I found out about the Bachelor of Resource Economics. It was exactly what I was looking for. The degree deals with natural resources that are becoming scarcer and the management of these will be important
in the near future”, said Vincent.

“The special features of the BResEc program that I like are the small class sizes of many of the units, especially those taught in the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The faculty is one of the smaller ones at Sydney, and the lecturers make you feel that you are important. Within the degree, you have the option to focus more on the economics or the science electives. The degree specialises in natural resources and in my opinion is more interesting and more beneficial than a straight economics degree.

“In the future, I would like to be involved with the management and economic analysis of public utilities such as water or electricity.

Vincent advises students: “University is one of the best times of your life, so enjoy it, and what better place to experience university than at The University of Sydney with all its history, great facilities and so many extra curricular activities available.”

Graduate Profiles

Professional career opportunities in the Resource Economics area include working as either a research economist with Australia’s internationally regarded institutions (eg. the Productivity Commission, ABARE); an economic/policy analyst in government agencies (Fisheries, DAFF), a business/market analyst in the private sector (consultancies, banks); an economist with utility companies (water, electricity), and minerals and energy organisations.

Graduates from the BResEc degree are ideally equipped for these career opportunities. With their strong knowledge of economic theory and well developed quantitative and analytical skills, BResEc graduates are sought after by employers. Their understanding of both economic and natural phenomena makes them uniquely positioned in the job market. Some of our recent BResEc graduates are employed with ABARE, the Productivity Commission, and NSW Department of Environment and Conservation. Others are in the finance industry. Some graduates undertake further postgraduate study at the University of Sydney or elsewhere. Utility companies, minerals companies, forestry and fisheries entities, and the many other firms with business opportunities relating to or dependent on the natural environment are also interested in BResEc graduates.

To prepare for careers with an INTERNATIONAL FOCUS, students may study abroad for a few weeks, a semester, or a year.

PhD Student Naushee Rahman, BResEc

Naushee attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School before graduating from the University of Sydney with a BResEc degree in 2004. “There were several aspects of the BResEc program that appealed to me as a school-leaver. Firstly, I was interested in science, geography, the natural environment, and economics. This degree was an ideal extension to the interesting subjects that I had studied at School and had an interest in, while providing the scope to combine content from more advanced areas. Secondly, as I was unsure about what I wanted to do, the career opportunities which stemmed from the BResEc degree were broad. The degree offered a combination of economic and analytical skills that would be useful in any area with specific skills such as environmental and scientific knowledge.

“The strengths of this degree lie in the analytical and problem solving skills it offers. It is great that you are exposed to science, maths, economics, and agricultural and resource economics. This breadth of disciplines inter-relate to provide a valuable ‘big picture’ of the environment.

“I am currently undertaking a PhD in resource economics. I plan to get involved in resource economics research and look forward to putting my skills to use in the real world where they can hopefully benefit both the environment and the community.

Naushee’s advice to students: “It’s not always easy to make the transition from high school to university. The best way to cope is to ask for help when you need it, keep a diary and try to keep up to date with the work ……. do the work as it comes, as it can snowball quite quickly!”

Natural Resource Manager Stuart Kinsella, BResEc Natural Resource Manager, ABARE

Stuart Kinsella attended St Paul’s Grammar School, near Penrith, where he completed the International Baccalaureate (IB), before enrolling in the Bachelor of Resource Economics degree. Stuart commuted on a daily basis from Blaxland in the Blue Mountains to Sydney in order to complete his degree and graduated with a BResEc in 2004. He said “I wanted to do economics at university but I didn’t want to get lost in the crowd with all the other students who do ordinary economics/business degrees. Resource economics gave me an opportunity to fulfil all the requirements of an economics degree, gain exposure to issues related to management of natural resources and agriculture, and understand how economics applies to those areas.”

Stuart said “the strengths of the degree relate to its focus on management of natural resources, and in particular, to the importance of sustainable development of these resources; the opportunities for students in later years of the degree to specialise in a multitude of areas, from science and geography to agriculture and further study in economics. The work experience program was also very beneficial, allowing students to meet prospective employers and to deal with current issues. The Fourth year thesis gave students ideal preparation and training (under the guidance of supervisors within the faculty) to enter research careers.

Stuart advises students: “Don’t underestimate the importance of understanding natural resource management within an economic framework. Issues such as climate change and water management within Australia will become more prominent. Opportunities for graduate resource economists are only likely to increase in future years.

“The BResEc degree certainly ignites within you a passion for the beauty of Australia’s natural environment. One of the great things about the degree is that career opportunities are not limited, as you can pursue a career in a number of disciplines including economics, environmental economics, agriculture, science, geography or even education.

After graduating, Stuart spent time in London, before beginning work with ABARE in their natural resources management section. He said, “I would love to work with developing countries at some point in the future. Whether this is just on a short-term basis or a longer term placement, I’ll have to wait and see!”

Policy Research Officer Matthew Press, BResEc Research Officer, Conservation Economics Group, Policy and Science Division, NSW Department of Environment and Conservation

Matthew, a former student of Sydney Church of England Grammar School, SHORE, graduated with a BResEc in 2004. “I chose the Bachelor of Resource Economics degree as I have a strong interest in the environment and in the management of natural resources. This sector is becoming increasingly significant and there is a strong demand for policy and planning advisers, and the BResEc provides the skills to undertake such roles.

“The strengths of the degree are found in the advanced quantitative units which give you the skills to create and use complex bio-economic models and the environmental and resource knowledge that allows improved economic evaluation as you become aware of issues within a broad context. Economics taught in the Ag faculty is applied in nature and well supported by practical exercises.

“The degree includes a compulsory work experience component which is valuable for two reasons. Firstly, it provides opportunities to explore different career paths and assists in determining which job/field best suits your interests. Secondly, work experience is well regarded by employees, improving your employment prospects. The excursion component provides first hand contact with resource issues and further practical experience.

“I am employed as a Research Officer with NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (formed from NSW NPWS and other agencies) in the Policy and Science Division, Conservation Economics Group. I am currently conducting a literature review of the market-based instruments used to facilitate biodiversity conservation of private land. This is a background study to aid the direction of future NPWS acquisitions. I am also analysing survey data to assist in the formulation of Marine Park regulations along the NSW coast.

“My plans for the future are undecided, but could include becoming a consultant economist for groups such as SKM, GHD, URM, working in financial markets, or in a policy/planning role in the public sector (eg DEC, IPART, DIPNR, Treasury).”

Business Analyst Amanda McBride, BAgrEc Business Analyst, Strategic Department, Westpac Banking Corporation

Amanda McBride, former student of North Sydney Girls’ High School, graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Resource Economics, First Class Honors and University Medal. During the course of her study in Resource Economics, Amanda was the recipient of numerous prizes and awards for outstanding scholarship including: a University of Sydney Scholarship for 2000-2004; an Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) Scholarship for 2002-2003; the Alan Randall Prize for her performance in Third Year Resource Economics; one (of four) Economic Society of Australia NSW Branch Honours Economics State Awards (HESA) for grades obtained and quality of final year thesis; and the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society prize for outstanding undergraduate performance.

“I chose to do the BResEc because it provided a variety of units of study similar to a combined Economics and Science program, but was only four years instead of five. It was offered by a smaller faculty (by University of Sydney standards) which I thought would make the university experience less daunting and more personal. The 18 week professional experience program was attractive, and I was awarded a Faculty Scholarship.

“I found that the variety of units within the program meant that uni was never dull or without challenge, and it kept me interested and motivated to continue my studies. Studying in a small faculty was a major strength, as it was easier to make friends and to contact lecturers when I needed help. Small class sizes were more personal and this tends to encourage a better learning environment. The professional experience program proved to be another strength of the degree. I attended a number of job interviews in my final year with a wide range of companies. I found prospective employers were always very interested in my professional work experience.”

While completing professional experience at ABARE after Third year, Amanda began her final year research project. She researched the economic incentive to discard in commercial fisheries. “Discarding”, said Amanda, “refers to the act of returning unwanted fish to the ocean and is a problem because of the economic and biological waste that this represents, as most of the discarded fish does not survive. I looked at a case study of the South East Trawl Fishery and the incentives that existed for discarding to take place for several species in this fishery. I also investigated some of the potential policies that had been used by other countries with a discarding problem and examined whether this assisted in alleviating the problem.”

Amanda, who is now working in the banking and finance industry, with Westpac Banking Corporation as a business analyst in their strategy department said “I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate studies in Resource Economics. The diverse and challenging range of units offered in the degree have provided me with a valuable set of analytical skills, which will be of great use to my future career path.

“I would highly recommend this course to students who have an interest in environmental issues, mathematics and economics. It will appeal to students who like variety. I would suggest making the most of the professional experience program and adopting a proactive approach to studying by asking for advice and help whenever you need it. Sitting back and worrying about a problem you are having does not achieve anything and people in this Faculty are willing to help where ever possible.”

Amanda intends to work in banking for a period before entering an area more allied to natural resources or agriculture followed by further study.

Research Economist Michelle Davis (ne Oldfield), BAgrEc Research Economist, Productivity Commission

Shelley Davis, former student of Hawker College, ACT, graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Resource Economics, First Class Honours and University Medal.

Shelley said “The BResEc appealed to me as it offered a mix of technical exposè to social/environmental issues combined with some economic/policy frameworks to provide the background to understand and address complex resource policy issues.

“The strengths of the program lie in having focused lecturers, a mix of small and large class sizes, the ability to select from a wide range of study units, and the professional work experience program.

“I am currently employed as a Research Economist at the Productivity Commission where I am undertaking research into industry economics covering a broad range of industries in regard to issues including structural adjustment, forecasting, government assistance and policy matters. In regard to my future career path, I would like to develop skills and experience in Industry and policy economics.”