Students and Graduates Program
The Students and Graduates Program gives students and graduates the opportunity to gain valuable insights and skills in the tourism and marketing sector.
Students and Graduates Program
Alexandra Ward
My time in Tourism Australia’s (TA) Graduate Program has been incredibly rewarding and has broadened my perspective on what a career can look like. As a final-year law student at UTS, I had always worked in law firms while studying and came from a senior sales background. I initially joined TA as a paralegal in the Legal team, supporting commercial contracts and governance. While I loved the legal work, I was always curious about the other side of the organisation including marketing, PR, brand and campaigns. I was fortunate to be successful in securing a graduate position that allowed me to explore those areas.
Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to complete a rotation in the PR and Advocacy team, where I helped write articles for the ‘Essentials’ newsletter, showcasing new Australian restaurants, accommodation and experiences to industry partners. I was also lucky enough to experience the tourism industry firsthand, including a memorable sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour with Localing Private Tours Sydney. During my secondment with the International Media Hosting Program (IMHP), I coordinated media famil visits and one of the highlights was hosting a group of Filipino media during their Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb experience. These opportunities gave me a genuine appreciation for the incredible work that happens across the organisation and the people who make Australia's tourism industry so special.
I have now returned to the Legal team within Corporate Services as I complete my final year of law school and work towards admission as a lawyer. While my long-term goal remains a career in law, my experience at TA has shown me that there are many ways to build a meaningful career and that some of the best opportunities are the ones you never expected. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust, encouragement and support I’ve received throughout the Graduate Program. It has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, develop new skills and build relationships across the organisation that I know will stay with me throughout my career.
