What is the Young Professionals Network?
At the ACSS, we understand the importance of mentoring. The ACSS Young Professionals Network aims to pair up ACSS delegates with young professionals working in both the public and private sector to provide careers advice and to discuss opportunities for life after university. Mentors will have the opportunity to pass on their own expertise and experience to Australia’s next generation of national-security leaders.
Mentors and mentees will meet up over Zoom ‘Fireside chats’ during the ACSS Mentors Week between 21-26 September. These initial connections will provide the invaluable opportunity for mentees to network with their mentors and to build positive connections which will progress into the future.
In the lead up to the Summit, we will be publishing a list of our ACSS Young Professional Mentors here.
Young Professionals Network Chair: Ruben Seaton
Ruben is a policy graduate at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. After growing up in Bowral, NSW, Ruben moved to Canberra in 2016 to study a Bachelor of International Security Studies (Honours) at the ANU. His thesis focused on Australian foreign and defence policy in the Pacific Islands since 1987. He completed an internship in the Australian Parliament with the Office of Senator Kimberley Kitching (Vic) and worked as a Research Assistant at the ANU’s Strategic & Defence Studies Centre. Ruben volunteered at Peacifica, an NGO working to support peacebuilding in the Pacific Islands. Prior to joining DFAT, Ruben worked with ACSS in 2019 as Director of the Antarctic Crisis Team.
“Our series of fireside chats are an open, honest and friendly way to make connections with likeminded young professionals. For mentors, the YPN provides an avenue to make long-term connections with potential future colleagues from around the country. For delegates, it’s your opportunity to ask key questions about your future in the sector: What are the myths and hard truths about grad life? How do I get off to a good start at my new workplace? How much enthusiasm is too much enthusiasm at an assessment centre? I look forward to welcoming you to the Young Professionals Network in September.”