Graduate Profiles

I completed a Bachelor of Arts at Canterbury University, majoring in English literature and Economics, and followed this with a Masters of Commerce in Economics at the same university. I worked for the Reserve Bank for three months in between my two degrees, which gave me renewed enthusiasm for my continued study. It helped a lot to know that an interesting job was to be had at the end of all that study slog. I started work at the Bank in a permanent position in February 1998.

The Bank is a prestigious place to work, but I wouldn't work somewhere for that reason alone. I enjoy working at the Bank primarily because of the people. In my three months here as a "summer graduate" I realised that the work was very interesting and stimulating, the structure much less bureaucratic than one would expect, but most importantly, the atmosphere was friendly and fun, with a great mix of people.

I realised that the work was very interesting
and stimulating, the structure much less
bureaucratic than one would expect, but most
importantly, the atmosphere was
friendly and fun, with a great mix of people

I worked for two years in the "Issues" section of the Economics Department, working on topics as diverse as core inflation measures and currency union issues. The next two years I spent in the Forecasting team, specialising in the external sector, and the real economy. For the final 9 months of that time I had a more general role, including reporting on latest data and news to the Monetary Policy Committee, both orally and in writing, on a weekly basis, as well as being involved in our quarterly forecasts. I am now in the Modelling team, which maintains, experiments with and develops the RB's main model, the Forecasting and Policy System, as well as more general macro-modelling work.

The work at the Bank is always very varied. I value that. I also like to know that every piece of work I do has the potential to influence how the Bank operates. At university, for example, it is all about proving your abilities. At the RB a piece of analysis will only be requested if the findings are considered of value. I also find it satisfying that what the Bank does is important for New Zealand as a whole. The fact that the average person on the street has little conception of what we do doesn't negate that; if anything, it increases our responsibility to carry out monetary policy and banking supervision in the best way possible.

In addition, the Bank has a very flat structure, where even the newest graduate can find themselves presenting their research at the Monetary Policy Committee within a matter of months. This is both satisfying and challenging! The Reserve Bank's focus on training and career development is also very satisfying. The Bank is willing to put an individual's career development above what is most convenient for them, in most cases.

I have no grand plan for my career (and suspect I never will have) but I know that I really landed on my feet when I started my career here. Although "monetary policy" might be seen as a narrow field, the RB takes care to move people around teams to broaden their experience and knowledge, and the topics for analysis are surprisingly diverse. I am confident that the skills and insights I am gaining here will be useful whatever directions my career may take. In addition, the Reserve Bank is very supportive of secondment opportunities, and I will be heading to Norway's central bank in the middle of 2003 for a year or two.

The Reserve Bank's focus on training and
career development is also very satisfying.
The Bank is willing to put an individual's
career development above what is most
convenient for them, in most cases.

Footnote: Sharon started a two-year secondment to Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, in May 2003.