Faculty of Science and Technology
Deakin University
Matt Doery A love of the outdoors inspired Matt Doery to study Wildlife and Conservation Biology (Bachelor of Environmental Science) at Deakin University. His interest in plants, animals and nature has been rewarded, with the second year student becoming the recipient of a DSE (Department of Sustainability and Environment) Cadetship. Receiving a DSE cadetship is an accomplishment, with only a handful offered throughout the whole state. The selection process is involved and based on conduct in an interview as well as academic merit. In addition to maintaining grades to a high standard, demonstrated team work, community involvement and general knowledge about the environment are required. It is open to students finishing Year 12 or first year of University. The cadetship comes with an allowance of $9,000 per year and recipients also receive six to eight weeks practical work experience with DSE annually. A mentor assists with facilitating work experience in a variety of fields. “My mentor organises work experience in an area of interest for me. Work experience is available throughout all DSE departments around Victoria. This provides a broad range of experience across all departments and also means you have the opportunity to get to know a lot of people within DSE,” says Matt. One of the requirements of the cadetship is that you complete an Honours Year. Once you have graduated you are committed to work for DSE for three years. Matt welcomes the security and experience this offers: “You have a guaranteed job at the end of your degree and you don’t have to stress out about finding work at the end of it,” he says. When selecting which course was best suited for him, Matt looked to his interests: “When I was in Year 12 I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was told to look at what I enjoyed and what I was good at which was the outdoors – animals and plants. I enjoyed articles I read about wildlife and management. I had watched a number of documentaries on TV and had seen Park Rangers going up and down the river, chopping up things and getting out and about. I thought that looks really cool, I could do that. I like being outdoors, it’s better than sitting in an office.” “Deakin seemed to offer a more practical course, with field work and practical classes, not just theory but theory backed up by practical components. Out of all the courses, it looked the most appealing.” Matt’s advice for future students: “Do what you enjoy and continue to do it. Give things a go – it’s never too late. I was worried about doing things because I thought I had left it too late. I have mature aged students in my course and they help remind me it is never too late.”
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