UQ Gatton to showcase work opportunities

The University of Queensland Gatton graduate Shea Tucker made such a lasting impression during work placement that it led to her first graduate job.

Students can target similar opportunities at the UQ Gatton Careers Fair on Thursday 18 April, where they can discuss work placement and graduate opportunities.

Ms Tucker organised two weeks of placement with the Gatton Vet Surgery and Exclusively Equine Vet Services while studying a Bachelor of Applied Science, Veterinary Technology.

“My work placement directly resulted in a full-time job within a month after finishing my placement,” she said.

“They remembered my work experience and wanted to hire me.”

While on placement Ms Tucker did a range tasks and was able to showcase her abilities, which she believes is crucial when it comes to securing job offers.

“I assisted with an infield caesarean on a miniature mare, travelled the area and met so many interesting and diverse people and their animals,” she said.

Ms Tucker now works full time at Exclusively Equine Vet Services and Gatton Vet Surgery, completing jobs such as placing catheters, taking blood, monitoring anaesthetics, performing radiography, providing clients with pet care advice and running the puppy preschool.

Ms Tucker has some crucial advice for students looking to complete work placement.

“Choose work placement where you envisage you may want to work one day, providing an excellent opportunity for you to trial working with different companies.”

“I’m very happy with my placement choices as now I am helping to educate new puppy owners and working with a variety of animals doing a job that I enjoy every day,” she said.

Students are encouraged to meet with a range of employers and discuss work placement and graduate opportunities at the UQ Gatton Careers Fair, supported by Student Services, from 11.30am to 1.30pm in the Central Walkway, Gatton campus.

Free steak sandwiches will be provided by JBS Australia and Halls of Residence.

UQ has designed a Careers Fair Employer Finder program to help students find employers seeking graduates.

Exclusively Equine Vet Services and Gatton Vet Surgery will be attending the UQ Gatton Careers Fair along with JBS Australia, PPB Advisory, Rimfire Resources, GrainCorp Operations Ltd, Australian Agricultural Company, Rabobank Australia Ltd, The North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCO), Student Help on Campus (SHOC), Vanderfield Pty Ltd, VNet Precision Farming, ACU-PET Veterinary Acupuncture, OneHarvest Pty Ltd, Greencross Vets, Suncorp Group, Veterinary Specialist Services Pty Ltd, Cotton Australia, LSA Recruitment, Agri Labour Australia, Commonwealth Bank, UQ Native Wildlife Teaching and Research Facility, Geckoes Wildlife, Biosecurity QLD, UQ Veterinary Medical Centre - Small Animal Hospital & Equine Clinic and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Media: Marketing Coordinator, UQ Gatton Campus, Erin Pearl, 5460 1229 or e.pearl@uq.edu.au.