Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 6. 1966.
[introduction]
In New Zealand more scientists work for the Public Service than for any other organisation. Fourteen departments employ more than 800 science graduates and each year the Public Service has to recruit over 100 scientists. The scope of its scientific activities means that the Public Service offers science graduates first-class career prospects and unequalled opportunities and challenges, including many projects not being studied by other research groups.
Careers for science graduates ore divided into two main classes; research and servicing. Although scientists in the Public Service mostly work on applied research, opportunities for pure research are unequalled in New Zealand and in some fields, up to overseas standards. Some of the most challenging problems arise in practical research, which is also worthwhile because its results directly benefit the community.
Scientists doing servicing work use their qualifications in such vital roles as weather forecasting and patent examining The servicing scientists abilities and training are vital to the modern community. because they supply services that laymen cannot give.
In addition some graduates choose to go into Public Service administration, where their trained minds prove invaluable in the intricate and demanding task of managing some of New Zealand's largest enterprises.
In the Public Service the importance of the scientist is fully realised, He is not just a "back-room" boy but an essential member of the organisation. This is retlected in the D.S.I.R., for instance. where all important executives are scientists, and in the State Services Commission (which is responsible for efficiency and economy in the Public service) where one of the Commissioners is a sclentist.