what do you want to be when you grow up?
from issue seven: career profiles
lip issue 7 brings you a huge feature on careers, including a quiz, interviews, book reviews, a special on women in uniform, fiction and more. We had so many ideas for our career feature that we couldn’t fit it all in the magazine! So we decided to put up even more information and opinions right here.
We thought you might be curious about what exactly goes into some of the jobs mentioned in our career quiz and what kind of environments you’ll be expected to work in. We’ve selected a bunch of positions and highlighted their important duties, work environments, good and bad points and what qualifications and skills are required.
paralegal
the job
Paralegals help solicitors, barristers or clerks of court by researching laws, judicial decisions, legal articles and other materials. They analyse the information and may prepare written reports. Paralegals may also help prepare the legal arguments, draft pleadings and motions and assist during trials.
skills
To be a good paralegal you should:
- be good at documentation, research and writing
- have a good general knowledge of the law and legal terminology
- be precise, logical and organised
qualifications
associate or bachelor degree or certification
the good
Paralegal is a fast-growing occupation as more and more lawyers make use of their skills. Paralegals are always busy and engaged and can learn and demonstrate skills that lead to administrative careers in other industries or higher-level law careers.
the bad
The paralegal profession is highly competitive as students and graduates looking for education or employment outstrip job availability. The job can involve long hours, intensive work and a lot of administrative duties.
the scene
Paralegals are likely to work for law firms, but there are also positions available in other organisations, government agencies, insurance and consumer agencies and banks.
These jobs are usually in corporate, structured environments without much flexibility or room for individuality.
physiotherapist
the job
Physiotherapists help people suffering from injury or disease to restore function and mobility to affected physical areas. Physiotherapists examine and evaluate their patients’ physical abilities and create and monitor treatment plans. Physiotherapists also help patients relieve pain, deal with the emotional affects of their physical problems and cope in the community and workplace after or with illness or injury. Physiotherapists can also work in education and community health.
skills
To be a good physiotherapist you should have:
- excellent interpersonal skills
- the ability and confidence to make effective decisions
- be fit and in good health
qualifications>
- four-year bachelor degree
- registration with a State Physiotherapist Board
- masters and post-graduate degrees for specialisation
the good
As the population ages and medical technology improves, there will be an increasing demand for physiotherapists. Physiotherapy can be a highly rewarding career that allows you to work closely with a variety of people and in a close team of professional coworkers.
the bad
There is a shortage of physiotherapists in Australia. Physiotherapy is not covered by Medicare, limiting the amount of people willing to pay for physio services. This makes physiotherapy a labour-intensive job with low profitability.
the scene
Physiotherapists can work in private practice, as part of a healthcare team or in schools and other community or industry organisations. Therapists can also specialise in specific areas, such as spinal injuries, occupational health and safety, sports medicine and pediatric. Physiotherapy is a physically demanding profession and because patients are always different, the work is varied and interesting, but this also means problem-solving and diagnoses are continual.
economist
the job
Economists research and analyse data and information about the economy and develop theories about production and distribution of goods and services and people’s spending patterns. They use their theories and conclusions to advise on or predict economic outcomes to governments and businesses, for example on wages, taxation, importing and exporting, etc. Economists can help write policies and prepare reports on trends, forecasts or other economic questions. Economists can specialise in areas such as agriculture, industry, taxation, environment, finance and transportation.
skills
To be a good economist you should have:
- the ability to synthesise and analyse complex information
- good understanding of mathematics and statistics
- research and problem-solving skills
- clear and concise writing and presentation skills
qualifications
- bachelor’s degree in economics
- post-graduate degree for specialisation
the good
Being an economist can be incredibly rewarding as you may have the ability to change the world: you can help develop policies that relieve poverty or bring economic growth to your country. You can also get the opportunity to work and travel internationally. Economists tend to be a close-knit bunch, working together, with a strong community feeling.
the bad
The theoretical nature of economics can lead economists to feel unsure of what they do—reality doesn’t necessarily follow economic modeling and people and their emotions are often not part of the theoretical process. There can also be a lot of pressure when you are responsible for the outcomes of people, companies, governments or nations.
the scene
Economists can work for government, insurance companies, banks, industry, research and development companies, unions and other organisations, so work environments vary greatly. Economists can work internationally and top-level economists can affect the world economy. Economists have structured work schedules and often work alone. The job can involve long hours and requires patience and persistence.
public relations manager/specialist
the job
Public relations managers determine and manage publicity programs and teams. Publicity is the term for getting information out to relevant people, such as consumers, stockholders and the general public. Publicity is aimed at creating success for the company, organisation or program it is publicising—ie. to increase profits, gain visitors/viewers, increase supporters. Publicists utilise all media, such as newsletters, television, radio and internet to target a variety of audiences. Public relations specialists can also be involved in political campaigns, lobbying, conflict mediation and employee and investor relations. A major part of the publicist’s job is keeping relevant groups informed about policies, activities, and accomplishments. Public relations also involves keeping management aware of public attitudes and the concerns of relevant groups. Duties can involve writing or editing newsletters and brochures, helping prepare documents such as annual reports and government submissions, speech writing and presentations and event planning.
skills
To be a good public relations specialist you should:
- have excellent oral and written communication skills
- be comfortable with networking and sales
- enjoy working with different types of people
- have good management skills
- be organised and able to multi-task
- be able to work under pressure
- have a good command of computers
qualifications
can require a bachelor or masters degree in public relations, communications or journalism
the good
Public relations specialists can work flexible hours and be involved in the running of or invited to many functions, including openings, festivals and launches. There is also opportunity to hobnob with or work for famous and powerful people such as writers, politicians, musicians and CEOs.
the bad
Unpaid overtime work can be common and working hours often involve nights and weekends due to attendance at functions. Public relations can be a time-intensive job with tight deadlines and erratic schedules.
the scene
Public relations specialists tend to work in service industries such as advertising, health care, community services and government. They tend to work in big cities and in busy offices. Public relations offices are busy places; work schedules can be irregular and frequently interrupted. Publicity can involve a lot of sit-down office and computer work as well as mundane tasks such as mailouts and data maintenance.
