DELWP Erika, FFMVic’s Forest Fire Management Officer – Fuel Management for the Tambo District in Gippsland region, first attended the National Youth Science Forum as a high school student, followed by three years as a junior and then senior staff member. It opened her eyes to the world of science beyond the classroom.
Erika said she found the sector full of fascinating, passionate people making a tangible difference.
‘I chose to study a Bachelor of Science and majored in Botany,’ Erika said.
‘My interests were broad from geology to cell biology; I like to know how things work and I think that’s why my interest was so varied.
‘I had a lightbulb moment in my final year when I took a subject ‘Fire in the Australian Landscape’ run by Professor Kevin Tolhurst from The University of Melbourne.
‘I was emotionally and intellectually drawn to this field of study, it combined my ‘curious science brain’ with my passion for community service.’
It was this curiosity that eventually led Erika to apply for a role with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning as a Graduate Recruit - Project Officer.
Since then, she has several roles including most recently the Bushfire Recovery Team Leader post the 2019/20 bushfire season.
Each of those roles has allowed her to use the many skills learnt while completing her degree.
‘I find I need to use many of the tools I developed during my studies,’ Erika said.
‘I regularly have to use critical thinking, spatial and data analysis, succinct report writing in my job.
‘As well as completing field studies and surveys and understanding adaptive land management.
‘My degree definitely instilled in me a learning mind-set and a curiosity about why and how.’
Erika said she has had many achievements she is proud of since coming to work at FFMVic.
‘Teaching general firefighters their first lessons in fire science at the General Firefighters Camp is always very special and passing my Planned Burn Operations Officer qualification was another proud moment for me,’ Erika said.
‘Also, leading sectors on some of the big campaign fires and keeping people safe is the ultimate achievement I can be proud of as well as making people laugh, smile, or relax even on the longest, dullest, or most challenging of days is always special too.’
Erika suggests to any girls or young women considering studying or following a career in science that it can be the doorway to discovering your passions and science needs passionate people.
‘Be in the driver's seat of your career, work where you feel you are making a difference, listen and trust your gut, don't be told what you should do, rather seek out people that inspire, grow your perspective, and help you see your potential,’ Erika said.
‘Always be a student of your field, be curious, and share your knowledge.’
You can read other profiles of FFMVic female scientists on the Our People, Their Stories page.
Page last updated: 10/02/22