Peter Anderson: invaluable lessons learned during a successful career
Motivated by positive reinforcement from his Honours supervisor at the University of 亚洲彩票官网, Peter Anderson, a 鈥渓ess-than-confident law student from 亚洲彩票官网鈥檚 working class鈥 applied his dedication and work ethic to a 41-year career, achieving great success.
Recently retiring from his position as Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission, Peter wrapped up an outstanding career that began at the University in the late 1970s. At the time, he knew his chance to study at university was 鈥渁n opportunity only made possible by the Australian government, by opening universities to all.鈥 Equipped with great resilience and an exceptional work ethic, he harnessed the personal and professional lessons of his degree to build a meaningful and impactful career.
An early inspiration for Peter came from the late Professor Alex Castles of the 亚洲彩票官网 University Law School. Alex told Peter that his legal thinking was reminiscent of the American legal historian William Crosskey 鈥 a great honour to Peter, and a reassurance that helped him to believe in himself in the early days of his career.
After graduating in 1983 from a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Peter was exposed to the private sector early on, advising the then many head office retailers based in 亚洲彩票官网, and quickly learning that his advice had to be both practical and strategic.听
In the mid-to-late 1990s, Peter began his work with government, first locally in the Office of the Premier of South Australia as a Chief Advisor to the Honourable Dean Brown MP, later moving into the Office of the Federal Minister for Industrial Relations as Senior Advisor to the Honourable Peter Reith MP.
Continuing his career overseas amongst international governments, Peter was elected to the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation in 2005 as the Australia and Asia Employer Representative.听 Peter says that the most significant change he has seen in the course of his career is 鈥渨ithout doubt, globalisation fuelled by technology. My work in south-east Asia, where I was helping the private sector lift labour standards taught me how connected supply chains are. Technology displaced some low paid jobs but also helped lift skills and living standards in poorer countries.鈥
"Success, however defined, comes from hard work and resilience. It is not gifted based on your postcode.鈥
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Peter's advice for those at the start of their career
Reflecting on his greatest achievements, Peter recognises his ability to venture through his career whilst being able to remain true to his own drivers and interests.听鈥淚 have made my legal skills work for me but not define my career.鈥
Throughout his career, Peter navigated the inevitable challenge of gaining the respect of workers and their advocates, as well as the business community and was held in high regard by both. 鈥淚 was taught at an early age that if you show respect, you will earn respect. I have always stood for the legitimacy of the interests I have represented whilst respecting other points of view and more than occasionally learning from others,鈥 says Peter.
鈥淚 was taught at an early age that if you show respect, you will earn respect."
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In offering advice to individuals pursuing a qualification in law, Peter highlights the potential of legal skills across a very broad range of careers. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to move beyond your comfort zone, to branch out. Too many people with legal qualifications take a linear path in the profession and burn out or hit a glass ceiling.听 Many different pathways exist, and legal skills are very complementary to many occupations.鈥
鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to move beyond your comfort zone, to branch out."
Aside from his fond memories of mentorship that shaped his career, the lifelong friendships Peter has created during his time at the University remain one of his strongest memories, with some of his class even coming to his farewell from the Fair Work Commission in April this year.听 Thinking back to these formative years, Peter offers advice that he would give to his 20-year-old self, 鈥淒evelop your style and inner confidence. Inner confidence creates resilience, and you鈥檒l need it to deal with career and life setbacks. Success, however defined, comes from hard work and resilience. It is not gifted based on your postcode.鈥
As he ventures into the next phase of his life post-retirement, Peter shares his thoughts on the impact education can have on a career and a life 鈥 even the parts that don鈥檛 seem immediately relevant today.
鈥淰alue your education and the opportunity it presents to be your best self and create a stronger society. It is amazing how many times I have used educational knowledge I never thought could be useful.鈥