Which Path Leads to a Better Career in Sydney: Siemens Engineering Graduate Program or AGGP (Data Generalist at ATO)?

Lnvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 12:21
Last edited 30/09/2025 - 19:04

I’m weighing two graduate program offers in Sydney and would appreciate some blunt advice.

Option 1: Sydney Siemens Engineering Graduate Program → traditional private sector engineering pathway in mechatronics/ systems engineering.

Option 2: Australian Government Graduate Program Data Stream (Graduate Data Officer at the Sydney Australian Taxation Office) → then upskill into the private sector as a data scientist or a data engineer after a few years.

Assume I have equal interest in both — I just want the path that generally leads to a better career in Sydney (pay, opportunities, growth, exit options, lifestyle) in the long term (e.g., 10-20 years) in the private sector.

Which option would you pick if you were in my shoes, and why? Brutal honesty appreciated.

Education & Work

Comments

  • Hybroid on 26/09/2025 - 12:29
    +7

    None of us have a crystal ball 10-20 years in the future, but I would take the Siemens Graduate Program. It feels like a better foundation to build skills and pivot in future.

    • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 12:58

      I see. Thanks for your reply.

    • freefall101 on 26/09/2025 - 15:08

      I wish someone told me 20 years ago to get into AI.

      Instead I learned a pile of .NET and Java, because Java is the future! At least I can understand the Android SDK and write a macro.

      • Hybroid on 26/09/2025 - 15:20
        +1

        Placing your pennies into early Bitcoin would have seen you retire a decade ago.

        • freefall101 on 26/09/2025 - 18:07
          +3

          If wishes were fishes…

          I held about 2,000 bitcoin at one point, mined myself. I figured it was just a joke and sold it off when I needed some extra cash. In 2011. It haunts me.

  • mskeggs on 26/09/2025 - 12:52
    +6

    I'd choose something you do have an interest in, so we aren't answering questions about burnout in 18 months.

    • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 12:57
      +1

      I agree, ahah. I have equal interest in both.

      • jv on 26/09/2025 - 13:01
        +1

        Do both then.

        • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 13:35

          Wish I could.

          • jv on 26/09/2025 - 13:50
            -1

            @nvwaru: Why can't you?

            • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 17:54
              -1

              @jv: There's only one of me

      • mskeggs on 26/09/2025 - 13:17

        Go visit them both and pick the one that gives you better vibes.
        You don't know enough about either job yet to decide one or the other unless you have strong opinions against working for the government or against multinationals, for example.

        It's not like you are tossing up buggy whip manufacturer against YouTube subtitle specialist - it's very hard to know if there will be any meaningful difference between these kinds of roles.

        • mskeggs on 26/09/2025 - 13:18

          Also, lol "at least in the long term 10 years…"

        • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 13:37

          Good idea. Thanks.

  • d351 on 26/09/2025 - 13:31
    +4

    I'd go for Sydney Siemens Engineering Graduate Program, global engineering company with exposure in various sectors, Rail, Oil&Gas, Mining, Transport, Infrastructure, Digital Systems. Also you get to go to Germany HQ for rotations I heard.

    • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 15:22

      Yeah, Siemens does everything. Thanks for your input.

  • hehehaha on 26/09/2025 - 13:55
    +4

    For work-life balance, go to ATO. But you'll hit the ceiling fast with 100s of people competiting for the same promotions. Unless you're very switched on its very hard to get a job in the private sector.

    You'll see lots of guys in the private sector trying to get roles in the public sector after being burnout.

    For learning and opportunities, go to Siemens but be prepared to suffer low wages and long work hours before you see the money….

    • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 14:51
      +1

      I guess there is a give and take with both paths. Thanks for your input.

  • Gunnar on 26/09/2025 - 13:57
    +2

    Go Government grad programs and get a good base knowledge and experience then leave to private sector (government also won’t burn you out). With the ATO one you’re likely to need to travel to Canberra as well - may or may not be a deal breaker for you.

    Whichever one you go, as a grad focus on ones that have good L&D because that will set up your base experience for the future. Build your base experience and then go chasing money

    Also see these rankings
    https://au.gradconnection.com/top100/2025/#finalist=unsw-mos…

    • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 14:57

      I agree. How hard do you think it will be moving to the private sector after 2-3 years? Also, thank you for the rankings. I had no idea about this or how high ATO is ranked.

      • Gunnar on 26/09/2025 - 16:18
        +2

        Depends on the type of employee you are, not that hard if you are good at what you do and have the right mindset. Hard if you become your stereotypical government employee.

        If you’re the type who’s inclined to do their core hours, say it’s not my problem, and build your flex leave you won’t get anywhere in government, let alone out of it.

        I’m a career government employee and get approached all the time through my dealings with the private sector. I went in as a grad with the aim to get out in a few years but stayed as I’ve come to accept that certain things in government aligns well with my values. Don’t get me wrong I’d jump ship but I’d want double the pay (which is a massive ask)

        Thankfully I’m lucky enough in my professional experience and current position where I can be picky about what I want to do.

        Also companies value government experience if you can demonstrate you know what to do to get government contracts

        • nvwaru on 26/09/2025 - 17:53
          -1

          I see. With an intent to move into the private sector, am I better off spending time taking on more projects and contributing more at work? Or spending more of my time taking online courses/ certs? Since you started as a grad, have most people stayed or left to go private? May I ask how much more pay you are getting offered in private sector (percentage-wise)?

          • Gunnar on 27/09/2025 - 10:35
            +1

            @nvwaru: Your ability to do a job and how you function within a team environment matters way more than how qualified you are (assuming you don’t need specific qualifications for a job).

            As a grad, training and development is good but you reach a point in your career - quickly if you’re good - where you get knocked back because you don’t have enough experience, and you need to demonstrate you have the experience to do the work. Someone who is willing to take a punt on you without experience will be willing to do so if they know you personally (I if they’re a good manager)

            Also group work and projects give you experience in more complex scenarios and gives you exposure to other teams/business areas.

            Employment works two ways - how well you fit in an organisation and also how well an organisation fits you. When you’re deciding which way to go, as others have said, see which one gives you a batter vibe in how you’ll fit into the company and what offers the best exposure to the work and industry.

            Jumping employers I would probably get anywhere from parity to 50% more which, even the latter is not enough for me to jump ship. I could get much more if I contracted BUT I’d lose all the securities (stuff like sick leave and matters to me - I’m at a stage of life where it’s a security blanket). Although TBH if I went down the contracting route I’d just open up my own practice.

            I can’t give you an accurate answer on that because my industry - disability - went through the NDIS meaning most things were privatised. Pre NDIS people would either stay or open up their own business, rarely jump ship to private orgs but the NDIS really changed how this works.

    • Lastchancetosee on 27/09/2025 - 07:31
      +1

      This what my son did. He started with a State Government Grad program which he really enjoyed, then spent the next five years moving up in state then federal government.

      When he reached the top in his area (as far as he could go with promotion blocked my a lot of older career public servants), he took a senior role in industry. The company deals with big government contracts, so they really appreciated his knowledge of processes and requirements.

      • nvwaru on 28/09/2025 - 23:46

        Impressive. May I ask what graduate program or line of work he was in?

        • Lastchancetosee on 29/09/2025 - 08:32
          +1

          Did a B. International Business with an economics major. Ge picked up a short contract of three-four months work on graduating while keeping his casual job at a bottle shop. He was absolutely knackered doing both jobs, but wanted to have the casual job as a back stop. He applied for the mid-year intake and was one of six to be selected. We didn't realise how competitive the places are until afterwards. He went into Treasury and Finance and did rotations through different areas in the Department for a year. On graduation from the program he began in one area there, and worked his way up.

  • tabitha731 on 27/09/2025 - 08:58
    +1

    Choose either, you do t want to stay in the same place after the graduate program for the rest of your career, so which ever choice u take is irrelevant, just pick an offer that’s more attractive ( coz of salary, location, perks, tax breaks) over the other.

    • nvwaru on 28/09/2025 - 23:36

      Thanks for the advice.

  • Mointampa2 on 27/09/2025 - 09:45

    Option 1 - i wouldnt start my career in government

    • nvwaru on 28/09/2025 - 23:47

      Why?

  • SBOB on 27/09/2025 - 14:57

    If you're interested in automation and control systems, the first one will provide you with a great starting career.

    With your 10 year+ timeframe, with that much experience (assuming you end up being good at the work), you could get a job pretty much anywhere in the world with a large range of direct brand or integrator companies.

    • nvwaru on 28/09/2025 - 23:47

      Good to know. Thanks for your comment.

  • GettingThePlus190s on 29/09/2025 - 09:54

    ATO

    • nvwaru on 29/09/2025 - 10:56

      Why ATO?

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