Career Prospects at The University of Melbourne

Haven't been in this situation yet but most grads move up a rank when they enter their ongoing role

From my observations, it's possible to move up the ranks at a decent pace if you are determined and good enough.

I have seen many capable colleagues not receive a promotion to the next level due to experience. It seems that the culture does not promote easily

I think the University does have clear pathways to move up - however you have to be somebody who is ambitious enough to seek out opportunities and demonstrate your willingness to work hard and progress. There are a lot of people who stay in low-mid level positions for their whole time at the University as they may have other priorities. The University usually reserves professional positions for internal applications first before advertising externally, which means that you have less competition if you want to apply for a more senior role. There is also the opportunity to move sideways into another business unit, in order to move up. I think the most important things you can do to progress your career at the University is to make a difference in each team (eg. recognising an inefficiency/room for improvement, making the case to improve, and seeing the project through).

Promotion applications are open to academic staff members, not professional staff members. As a professional staff member, you can apply for another role across the uni quite easily, and move across horizontally or diagonally. There are FTE caps on each team so unfortunately, positions can't just be created.

It is relatively easy to build networks and apply for higher level opportunities, but extraordinarily difficult to get recognition either financially or verbally for higher duties performed in a current role. This is pervasive throughout the University and not limited solely to the graduate program.

Moving up the ranks can be difficult, as turnover tends to be quite low. If you show commitment and make an effort to connect, though, opportunities will come over time.

I don�t believe promotions are that common here - but that is my understanding. I have had one colleague apply for higher pay, and one colleague go up a pay level during a restructure. I am not aware of any other promotions except for another secondment opportunity where the staff member may have gone up a pay level