Graduate profiles

Assistant Trader Bill Dwyer, BScAgr (2000) ECOM Ltd Memphis, Tennessee

“I was attracted to the BScAgr as it was a well rounded degree which exposed you to the many facets of agriculture, and it had an excellent track record for producing fine agriculturists.

The strengths of the degree are: you can put the theory you learn into practice; if you get stuck into practicals, and get dirty, and if you’re not afraid to make mistakes, you get more out of it; the Faculty is small enough for people to notice that you may need some assistance or just a kick in the tail; and the wide range of units means there is something for everyone. In fourth year I specialised in Plant Pathology with a major in Plant Disease Physiology. I’m currently working out of Beijing and living in America, but I still call Australia home.

I was recruited with trainees from France, Brazil, and West Africa, as the first trainee cotton traders to come through ECOM Agroindustrial Corporation, a large privately owned firm and US based cotton merchant which has offices all over the world. During my traineeship I was offered a position in Memphis. My role has involved procurement of US growth cotton from Arkansas to Florida. I’m involved in Market Reporting for the group and shipping on time to clients in South America. I look after deliveries to the Board on New York Futures contracts as well as general futures ordering and crop assessments including West Texas and mainland China.

Ultimately, I want to become a top trader able to identify opportunities and develop synergies in new markets, and return to Australia.

My advice to prospective students is to be willing to ask plenty of dumb questions, and don’t sell yourself short! Never, ever give up! But mostly, have a go! Oh yeah, and eat your greens! Do Ag! It is tough, but a great way to begin a career as a professional in agriculture.”

Citrus Pathologist Nerida Donovan, PhD BScAgr (1996) NSW Agriculture Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute

"I had a keen interest in agriculture, but was unsure what field I wanted to work in. The BScAgr enabled me to study a diverse range of units before having to make any significant decisions about what area I should specialise in or what career path I should follow, which is a definite strength of the degree. The Professional Experience Program offers invaluable experience to students and can be an advantage when seeking employment. I was also lucky enough to receive an Undergraduate Scholarship which provided me with financial assistance and further opportunities to enrich my learning. I chose to undertake a PhD in agriculture, not only to further my qualifications and job opportunities, but to build on my knowledge and skills base and to broaden my network of contacts, before venturing outside the University environment.

I am currently working as a Plant Pathologist with NSW Agriculture at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle. My work involves research and extension (including diagnostic enquiries) of citrus diseases and disorders, and the maintenance of healthy citrus germplasm for the Australian Citrus Industry. I travel extensively throughout the major citrus growing areas of Australia and to citrus growing areas and research institutions in the U.S.A and Asia. I plan to continue working as a Plant Pathologist for the Australian Citrus Industry, but would not discount returning to the University system in a research or teaching capacity.

My advice! When leaving school, it is very difficult to know what path to take. If you have an interest in science or agriculture, but are unsure what area of science to pursue, the agricultural science degree gives you a taste of a broad range of studies before you have to choose your speciality area, and even then, there are opportunities to work in a diverse range of fields."

Agricultural Consultant Agronomist Andrew Clune BScAgr (2000)

“Having grown up in a rural area, I always had a keen interest in Agriculture. I did the BScAgr because it offered a stronger grounding in the scientific basis of agriculture compared to other rural ‘science’ courses, and I knew it was well respected in the professional world.

The quality of the academic staff is one of the University’s biggest assets (in all Faculties not just Agriculture). Many of the lecturers are at the forefront of research and their results are regularly passed back to their students. The University of Sydney also provides opportunities to meet and interact with prospective employers in business and research. I enjoyed Agronomy as it allowed me to use my scientific knowledge in a way which directly influenced landholders and the community, and its application was ‘hands on’. The areas of study I have found to be most valuable are the agronomic units such as weed science, plant disease, and crop and pasture agronomy. However, I am surprised by how much I use my Agribusiness Management every day.

My professional career began while still a student, when I spent summer vacations with Elders as a cadet agronomist. This counted towards my Professional Experience requirement. Professional Experience is a great way to ”get your foot in the door” with companies.

After graduating, I began work with Ivey ATP, in Wellington, NSW. Initially, my work focused on environmental planning and development of catchment plans. It now includes a broad range of areas including catchment planning, whole farm planning, farm management, and benchmarking (from time to time, I am also called on in the areas of IT and accounting). My long term goal is to manage my own agricultural consultancy. There is great potential to offer assistance, for example in precision agriculture, share farming arrangements, litigation support, chemical use, and record keeping.

The greatest thing that university teaches you is not knowledge content, but the ability to think for yourself. I was once told, 'There are two forms of knowledge (a) knowing the answer and (b) knowing where to get the answer.’ Students should always be ‘enquiring’ about where they can locate the information they need, research it properly, and not just rely on the usual sources. Enjoy yourself at university and the experience of learning.”

Principal Agronomist David Sloane PhD, BScAgr (1992) Salinity & Nutrition, Agrilink Holdings Pty Ltd

"I chose to study agricultural science as I had been exposed to farming and agriculture from an early age, despite growing up in the city. The BScAgr provided a well balanced program and a solid science foundation (which differentiated Sydney’s BScAgr from other agricultural science degrees). I enjoyed completing the Professional Experience Program which complemented the degree. I had always wanted to specialise in crop agronomy. The annual nature of cropping cycles and choice of rotations interested me at a biological level, and trying to achieve full yield potential despite what the season throws at you makes agronomy challenging. Overlaying gross margins and the need to be profitable added a further dimension.

I had always aspired to be involved in agriculture at the highest level and on graduating chose to complete a PhD. On completion of the PhD, I applied for a position as an irrigation agronomist with Agrilink, a high growth company with a big future.

I am now Principal Agronomist, Salinity & Nutrition, with Agrilink, working to develop salinity and environmental monitoring networks across Australia and around the world.

My advice to prospective students and graduates is to ‘Look at the Big Picture‘. Work out where you want to be in 10 years time and take the long-term strategic approach. Get a good scientific grounding, lay solid foundations in your education and don’t be afraid to take a step backwards in order to move forward. Have confidence in your own ability and judgement, and be in a role where you can exert some influence over your future. Finally, take the time to enjoy yourself as the Ag Faculty at Sydney University can be a lot of fun!"

Soil Scientist Simon Speirs BScAgr (2000) PhD postgraduate Soil Scientist

“I chose to study the BScAgr at the University of Sydney for 3 reasons: my interest in science, my interest and background in agriculture, and I was already in Sydney (at Boarding School).

The BScAgr was a great opportunity to learn about many different aspects of agriculture away from the family back yard. The quality of academic staff and the commitment they make to their undergraduate students is a strength of the degree. The Professional Experience Program was very valuable as it provided an opportunity to network and to gain learning experiences outside the University.

In my final year I chose to specialise in Soil Science. On completion of my degree, I was employed as a trainee Agronomist with Wesfarmers Landmark. It was a great experience and gave me the opportunity to meet many people within the industry. I have since returned to The University of Sydney to complete a PhD and am working to “Characterise soil structural stability and form of soil used for cotton production”, building on my fourth year thesis in an area of study that will assist in developing knowledge within three key areas of Australian agriculture (salinity, sodicity, and the cotton industry). The decision to undertake postgraduate study gave me a chance to work in the cotton industry, allowed me to further my study in an area in which I was interested, soil structural condition, and will assist my understanding of some problems at home relating to soil chemistry and soil structure.

Soil Science is a challenging discipline of study well worth undertaking in final year, and many of us have considered some further study as a result. The effort put in during undergraduate study, which provided the opportunity of further study, is definitely worthwhile. My advice to students is to work hard at University, but to note that study is only part of the degree. Don’t miss the opportunity to get involved in extra-curricular activities, and to extend yourself when you undertake the Professional Experience Program, as it may lead to employment opportunities down the track”

Territory Manager Katherine Hardwicke BScAgr (Hons 1 and University medal, 2001) Pfizer Animal Health

"I began a straight Bachelor of Science degree at the Australian National University (ANU) Canberra, but after growing up on a sheep/cattle grazing property and always having a great passion for livestock production, my interests in the rural industries led me to transfer in 2nd year to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree at The University of Sydney. Not only did this degree have a strong academic reputation, but it offered a broad range of units of study which really interested me.

The BScAgr gives you a thorough overview of the many facets of Australian Agriculture in the first couple of years, it offers the opportunity to construct a course package that fulfils your own study/interest requirements, and enables you to specialise in your particular area of interest. The degree provides both the knowledge to become an expert in an agricultural field together with key skills in research, analysis, communication, presentation, organisation, leadership, and team commitment (to name a few!) which are extremely beneficial once you enter the work force.

In addition to lectures and laboratory-based learning, the Ag Faculty offers the opportunity to attend fantastic field excursions around regional NSW, which gives you exposure to many agricultural industries, not to mention a great time on the social scene! Ag Faculty excursions and social functions, such as the dinners and balls, have left me with some of my fondest memories of my time at Sydney Uni. The compulsory Professional Experience Program is an invaluable component of the degree, as it gives you the chance to really discover what certain occupations and work places are like – before you make decisions about what career path to take.

The small size of the Ag Faculty means you get to know your course lecturers on a more personal level, which often helps to facilitate learning, and you develop heaps of close friendships with students in not only your year, but throughout the Faculty. I was awarded a University of Sydney Scholarship in my final year, which meant I could cease my casual job, which I had needed to help support me in my early uni years, and devote more time to study.

Currently, I am the Territory Manager for Pfizer Animal Health in Central NSW. This was my first appointment after completing my BScAgr in 2000. The position involves managing both the companion animal and livestock side of the Pfizer business within the territory. I deal with veterinary practices, rural distributors and resellers such as Wesfarmers Landmark and Elders, as well as on farm with cattle and pig producers.

My responsibilities include formulating and implementing business plans and strategies to maintain and grow the existing Pfizer business within the territory. I am involved with running product promotions and driving sales, merchandising, running technical training sessions with vet clinic and distributor staff, sponsoring and running field days and vet clinic open days, providing farmer information sessions on various aspects of animal health management, and providing on-farm services to producers, such as faecal egg testing to determine the need for drenching of stock.

My future career path may involve a move into marketing/product development within the Animal Health Industry, and I am considering completing a Masters of Business and a PhD along the way."

The Adventures of Barry McCleary
PhD, DScAgr
Technical Director
Megazyme International Ireland Limited

"I was fairly sure, from my interests in biology and chemistry at High School, that I wanted to study in the area of plant biochemistry, but I wasn’t sure how best to do this at University. I found myself torn between Agriculture and Science/Chemistry (with a view to move into biochemistry). Straight from school, it is hard to make a decision that is going to shape the rest of your life. Perhaps the reason why I chose Agriculture over straight biochemistry is that the Ag degree left me with a few years to make the final decision about specialising. Choosing to study Agricultural Science was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

As I progressed through the degree, Agricultural Chemistry became the obvious choice for me. The lecturers were very motivational, and further stimulated my interest in plant biochemistry, and I enjoyed my fourth year project which stimulated me towards research. I was privileged to have Norman Matheson as my PhD mentor, and the Ag Chem staff have shown me wonderful support and friendship throughout my career. I graduated with a PhD in Agricultural Science in 1975, and took up a position with the NSW Dept. of Agriculture where I studied various aspects of plant carbohydrate biochemistry and enzymology, together with other projects until 1986. During this period, I undertook study overseas as a Fulbright Foundation Fellow to University of Miami School of Medicine in 1978; and as a Nuffield Foundation Scholar to Unilever Research, Bedford UK in 1982-83.

In 1986-87 I came to Biocon Biochemicals, Cork, Ireland, as visiting scientist but was promoted to Research Director of their worldwide operations. I was offered a permanent position, but decided that my future lay in the commercial world and that I would return to Australia, resign, and form a company. In 1989 I was awarded the degree of Doctor of Science in Agriculture from The University of Sydney, and in the same year, resigned my position as Principal Research Scientist with NSW Agriculture and started Megazyme. I saw a real need for improved test methods and reagents for cereals research and food analytical laboratories. Megazyme was started in two garages off the side of our home, and my wife joined the company in 1990 as Marketing Manager (and is now Business Director). The need that I had perceived was real. In 1993, while still working from our garages, Megazyme won NSW Small Business of the Year (Manufacturing with less than 50 employees); we were a total of 3 people. Megazyme also won the overall award of Australian Small Business of the Year (Manufacturing). I was awarded the F.B. Guthrie Award 'for contributions to cereal chemistry in Australia in the broadest sense'. In 1996 Megazyme relocated to Ireland, mainly for personal reasons, as my wife is Irish and wanted to raise our two children there.

We continue to develop test kits and reagents for the cereals, foods, feeds and fermentation industries. Seven of the methods are US standard methods (following extensive interlaboratory evaluation). We are still a small company (12 people), but very successful. In terms of sales we have a compounded growth figure in recent years of 20% per annum. In 1993, the company won the Eircom/Irish Independent Business Awards, 2000 (Overall Winner) for implementation of e-business (our web address is www.megazyme.com). In 2002, I was awarded the Harvey W. Wiley Award; AOAC’s top scientific honour, for career achievements in analytical methodology. I have a team of three scientists. I still enjoy applied research and spend 1-2 days per week in the laboratory or in the pilot production area. At the age of 52, I have no immediate plans of retirement as I am having too much fun.

I would strongly recommend completing the BScAgr degree and specialising in Agricultural Chemistry, as it has opened many career opportunities for me. However, long-term success in research or any career is very much dependent on the amount of work the individual is willing to put in. A degree is not a meal ticket, it is a key that opens the door to future opportunities.

There is a world-wide demand for good biochemists with basic biochemical skills. The biotechnology revolution is set to supersede the IT era. Biotechnology certainly holds the hope for feeding future generations, so the mix of agriculture and chemistry (biochemistry) would seem the logical choice for anyone wanting an exciting, challenging and rewarding career."