In this issue

In my previous newsletter, I mentioned some of the practical things students can do to help get prepared for employment such as applying for a Tax File Number and updating their resume. Many students come to me to prepare their resume and think that they have nothing to put on there. There are so many things that are relevant as employability skills as well as showing off your personality.

Are you someone who wants to become the next MasterChef? Besides the obvious health benefits and learning a life skill, cooking helps you to follow instructions, develop patience, improve organisational skills and teaches you how to plan ahead. You need to ensure you have the right ingredients and maybe plan your meal prep for the week to save you time each evening.

Those of you who like to work outdoors, either in the garden or tending to animals, shows that you have a nurturing and caring side while also showing an interest in the environment and our environmental impact.

There are numerous ways to build your skills in the school environment as well.  Participating in co-curricular events, clubs and societies shows teamwork, leadership, innovation and many other skills.

Putting your resume together can be quite a rewarding exercise as it really makes you stop and think about all the things that you do and acknowledge that you have been building employability skills without realising it.  If you need assistance, book a time with me and I can help you to create a fantastic resume.

‘Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.’ – Jim Ryun

Sarah Luck
Head of Careers
sluck@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

Important Dates

For a full list of cancelled, amended and new courses, visit VTAC Course Updates

Remember: Students who do best at university or TAFE are not necessarily those with the highest ATARs but those with persistence, determination, organisational and self-management skills who are also assertive in asking for help.  Make sure you choose a course you will enjoy and are interested in; otherwise, you may experience problems with motivation.  Form friendship groups with other students so you can be active in groups that discuss work and share ideas.  Students who are engaged in learning communities and networks have a more positive university experience.

Events and Information Sessions

Camp America Webinar
Camp America is a truly unique, immersive cultural exchange, excellent work experience opportunity and the perfect way to spend a gap year. Work alongside American and international counsellors and directly with children, instructing or assisting them in a variety of different activities. Register for the upcoming information session and find out why almost 8,000 people worldwide choose Camp America every year. Camp America counsellors are placed in a camp before they leave Australia so everything is taken care of. Once at camp, pocket money, meals and accommodation are all provided so all the counsellor has to do is enjoy their experience. Learn how Camp America works, finding the right camp for you and the application process.  You will get tips to make your application stand out and a full rundown of what your Camp America Experience could look like. Join with mum, dad or your friends – all are welcome!

Online Tuesday 14 November, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
For further details and to register visit Camp America

Studying At Melbourne Polytechnic
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a different way to learn.  They offer a wide range of innovative TAFE and Higher Education degrees that prepare students for the workplace. Study areas include Agriculture and Conservation, Animal Studies, Architecture, Building Design and Construction, Auslan, Business Management, Education, Music, Horticulture, Hospitality, Human Services, Information Technology, Theatre, Production, Make-Up, Screen and Media.  With courses that focus on practical skills and hands-on experience, students graduate with the knowledge they need to thrive in their careers.

To browse courses visit: Melbourne Polytechnic Courses 
For information sessions visit: Melbourne Polytechnic Information Sessions

AIE Open Day
Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE open day on Saturday 18 November.  AIE’s Open Day is a great opportunity to meet the teachers, staff and students. The day will cover everything you need to know about:

• careers in games and VFX;
• studios and industries that they work with;
• courses on offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
• the software, skills and knowledge they teach.

The open day will also include presentations on entry requirements and how to apply. Find out how AIE can get you into a creative career.
Saturday 18 November,  10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Find out more

University News

Tips To Have a Successful First Year At University

• I should attend orientation and transition activities – that way I can find out about support and advisory services available to me!
• I need to seek assistance to learn the expectations of my lecturers – I will have to learn about tertiary essay writing, using sources, avoiding plagiarism, and managing my time, etc.
• I must remember to ask for help – no one will necessarily be offering any!
• I will need to be an independent learner – my lecturers and tutors will not be reminding me about deadlines!
• I will need to take charge of my own learning – no one will be checking up on me to see if I am keeping up with work or assignments!
• I will need to organise my time effectively – there are no bells to remind me where to be!
• I must remember that my classes may be much larger than what I have been used to at school – I will receive less individual attention!
• I must make friends – building new friendship groups will help me cope and help me stay motivated!
• I will be learning new skills that will be critical for my success – I will have to learn important research and referencing skills!

Lost On Campus
Download this useful app for a campus map of many universities.  You will be able to find every tutorial room, lab, lecture theatre, coffee shop, carpark, bus stop, even your nearest vending machines and free microwaves on campus!

Deakin University Pathways Finder
There is no need to reduce your dreams just because you did not get the ATAR you wanted, or you do not meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. There are more pathways to university than you might think. Deakin’s Pathways Finder is an interactive online tool for students highlighting the recommended pathways to every bachelor degree at Deakin University.  Students can search by course or area of study and they can learn about TAFE pathways to Deakin, as well as alternative courses that pathway internally to the university.

Explore Pathways Finder at Deakin

CASper Test Reimbursement
If you have sat the CASper test and receive an offer to Deakin, you will be eligible for a reimbursement of the cost ($80) of the test.  You will be reimbursed after you commence at Deakin in Trimester 1, 2024.
Eligibility – The payment is open to Deakin education students who have accepted their offer into an initial teacher education degree and enrolled to start studies in 2024 in a course that requires the CASper test as an entry requirement.  Deakin will identify and communicate directly with students at the point of admission.

Find out more: The CASper test

New Bachelor Of Occupational Therapy
ACU is delighted to announce that the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will be offered at the Ballarat campus from 2024. Students will undertake 1,000 hours of professional practice education, starting in the first year, working with people across the lifespan to help them overcome physical, cognitive or societal barriers to participation.  The ACU Bachelor of Occupational Therapy has been developed to ensure new graduates will meet the competency standards of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and Occupational Therapy Council (OTC).

New Aptitude Test as an Alternative To The CASper
If you want to study an initial teacher education program at La Trobe, the AFTA is a free and on-demand alternative to the CASPer test.
La Trobe University has developed the Aptitude for Teaching Assessment (AFTA).  Approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching, it is a non-cognitive scenario-based aptitude test that students can use as an alternative to the CASPer test.

Please note the test can only be used for entry into initial teaching education programs at La Trobe.

Year 12 Students in 2024

The University of Melbourne – VCE Summer School
The University of Melbourne will run a two-week summer school in January for students entering Year 12 in 2024. Applications have not opened yet, but students can read about the program and complete an expression of interest for the program via Summer School.

Current Year 11 students who are considering applying for undergraduate medicine and/or dentistry courses in the future may need to sit the Undergraduate Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in Year 12 for the 2025 intake. For further details visit: www.ucat.edu.au

NIE is running a free webinar on 15 November, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm that will cover questions about the UCAT.
Students and their families can register for the webinar via www.nie.edu.au

Alternative Schoolies

Schoolies is a rite of passage for many Year 12 students. If you would like to do something different than the traditional week of partying or camping, you may consider looking into alternative schoolies programs. Rather than a focus on partying, alternative schoolies programs enable you to volunteer, travel, and help communities. The following are two examples of alternative schoolies companies:

Alternative Schoolies
Programs offered include:

• Cambodia: Floating Village Service Expedition
• Nepal: Yeti Expedition
• Queensland: Reef and Rainforest
• New Zealand: Epic Adventure
• Unforgettable Fiji

For further information visit: Alternative Schoolies

World Expedition Schools
Examples of programs include:

• Vietnam and Cambodia Explorer
• Cambodia: Multi-Activity adventure
• Nepal: Basecamp community service program

For further information visit: World Expeditions

Study Abroad Programs

Students who choose to take up an opportunity to complete some of their university studies overseas get the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, study at an overseas university and really get to engage with students and lecturers at those institutions.   A bonus of many study-abroad programs is that students get to study for one or two semesters at partner institutions and earn credit towards their degrees.

Find out more about the Study Abroad programs offered, by browsing the following links:

Career Information

Music Careers
The Australian Institute of Music (AIM) has developed a career guide for people passionate about pursuing a career in the music industry. The guide features over 75 occupations! You can access the guide via: AIM Careers Guide
To get the full experience of AIM you should attend an open day to find out about courses, see the campus, experience live performances, talk to teachers and get a taste of student life.
Open days are held at AIM, 120 King Street, Melbourne.

Sunday 15 December, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Thursday 18 January, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

To register or find out further information visit: AIM

STEM Careers
Have you explored the exciting range of job kits developed by Careers with STEM? The kits are free downloadable eight-page e-mags that offer a complete introduction to individual STEM careers.

You will discover what a specific STEM job is all about, meet real people working in that job and find out what you can do right now to set your career on the right path. From software developer to STEM educator, Careers with STEM has 27 job kits ready for you to download. Happy career planning!

Visit: Job Kits

Orthoptics and Optometry Careers
These allied health professionals play a crucial role in the early detection and treatment of eye diseases in children and adults. They can specialise in areas such as the following:

• Children’s vision/paediatrics
• Eye movement disorders
• Low vision care/rehabilitation
• Cataract care and retinal disorders
• Neurological vision disorders
• Laser eye surgery and corneal conditions
• Driver vision and sports vision

You can study orthoptics at La Trobe University, Melbourne. For key information about this occupation, visit the Orthoptics Australia website www.orthoptics.org.au

You may also like to consider Optometry.  Often the optometrist is the first point of contact for people experiencing eye troubles.  They are healthcare professionals who can diagnose eye diseases, detect changes in the visual system and prescribe corrective lenses and they can make referrals to orthoptists. In Victoria, you can study optometry at Deakin University and The University of Melbourne.

For key information about this occupation, visit the Optometry Australia website: Optometry Australia

Download a course guide for Orthoptics and Optometry via SLM Career Resources

A Career as a Flight Attendant
Flight attendants (also known as cabin crew) ensure the check-in and out of passengers on domestic and international airlines. They provide exceptional customer service and give clear guidelines to passengers about safety processes. They also provide food and beverage services to passengers and work closely with the pilots.  Interesting information about flight attendants in Australia:

• 74% are female
• The average age is 38
• There are 8,500 flight attendants employed
• 51% work full time

Source: https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/

To become a flight attendant, you do not need formal qualifications, however, some workers have completed the Certificate III in Aviation (Cabin Crew).  William Angliss Institute offers the Certificate III in Aviation (Cabin Crew). To find out about the course, go to www.angliss.edu.au

Common requirements include:

• Excellent health and fitness
• Able to swim 50 metres fully clothed
• Able to reach 180centimetres on flat feet
• Security check
• Obtained the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate
• Have a current First Aid certificate
• Have experience in customer service
• Have a passport
• Willing to work a 24/7 roster

Did you know, you can work as a cabin crew professional in the Air Force? You can also apply to complete a gap year in the Cabin Crew role.
For further information visit: Defence Jobs

Study Climate Change
Turn your passion for the environment into a career.  The following are examples of three universities that offer excellent undergraduate courses in climate change:

• University of Newcastle – Bachelor of Climate Science and Adaptation, www.newcastle.edu.au
• University of Technology Sydney – Bachelor of Marine Science and Climate Change, www.uts.edu.au
• La Trobe University – You can study climate change as an open access major in one of several Bachelor degrees, www.latrobe.edu.au

Explore climate change careers by reading this fantastic article written by Louise Meers at Careers with STEM, Climate Change Careers

Forensic Science
Forensic scientists are the real clue seekers of our world, using their keen eye for detail to crack cases wide open. These ingenious investigators gather evidence like fingerprints, DNA and bloodstains, all while staying one step ahead of criminals.

Armed with state-of-the-art tools, they unearth hidden truths and piece together the puzzle of crime scenes. When it is time for justice, these experts don their metaphorical white coats and present their findings in court, making sure that the scales of justice are tipped in the right direction.  But their talents do not stop there! Forensic scientists also venture into the realms of anthropology, toxicology and digital forensics, where they become the bone of contention, sniff out toxic substances and crack the code of digital mysteries.

So, for secondary school students with a knack for science and an appetite for solving riddles, a career in forensic science is the perfect way to leave no stone unturned in the quest for truth and justice.

Victoria Police Careers

Victoria Police has released an informative guide called ‘Navigating Your Path to a Career with Victoria Police’. In the guide you will find:

• An introduction to the police officer role and the amazing career pathways available.
• Interactive eligibility and suitability test.
• Interviews with police officers talking about their career who talk about their policing careers so far.
• Tips and guidelines on how to navigate the application process.

There are many career opportunities in Victoria Police and there is no limit to what you can achieve! Download the guide via Victoria Police Careers

Scholarships

Scholarships Closing NEXT WEEK

Australian Property and Research Fund, Rural and Regional Education Scholarship
The scholarship fund spans the duration of an Australian Property Institute (API) accredited property valuation degree, totalling a maximum term of three years, awarded yearly at $10,000. The fund supports the awardee to relocate to a university of their choosing and assists with payment of books and materials as well as tuition. Together with financial support, the awardee of the scholarship will also be supported by a senior API-certified property professional who will act as a mentor during their studies.

Applications close: 30 October
Visit: API Scholarships

Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT)
AVCAT scholarships include Long Tan Bursaries and sponsored scholarships. Sponsored scholarships are for the children and grandchildren of ex-serving veterans. Long Tan Bursaries are for the children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans and are available in each state and territory.

Applications close: 31 October
Visit: AVCAT Scholarships

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS): Donald E Napier Scholarships
AIQS offers a number of scholarships each year for Year 12 students who qualify for entry into a Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, Construction Management (Economics) or other appropriate courses at an AIQS accredited university in Australia.

Applications close: 31 October
Visit: AIQS Scholarships

The Trustees of the Francis Gregory Foundation are pleased to be offering two scholarships for 2024.

The Francis Gregory Foundation was established in 2012 to provide financial support to children of primary producers to assist them in undertaking university undergraduate education by reducing financial barriers.

The Foundation will provide two scholarships of $6,000 per annum (for the duration of the undergraduate degree) to students whose main family income is derived from primary production.  The scholarships are for current Year 12 students who intend to study an undergraduate course at university in 2024.

Applications are open until 5 January 2024.
Further information can be found at: Francis Gregory Scholarship

Women of STEM
To help provide opportunities for young women, the Women of STEM Scholarship is for women aged between 18-20 years old who are entering their first year of a STEM degree at university.  The Women of STEM Scholarship is a national program and provides women with financial grants of $5,000 per year for the life of their degree, up to a maximum of five years.

Applications close: 16 February 2024
Visit: Women of Stem

International Scholarships
Looking to study abroad but worried about the costs? Good news! There are hundreds of scholarships to study abroad, including general scholarships and more specialised funding schemes. Some are offered by government agencies, some by individual universities and others by external funding organisations and charitable enterprises.

The Top Universities website is an excellent resource to learn more about what scholarships are on offer.  Students can search for region-specific scholarships or country-specific scholarships.  Students can even search for subject-specific scholarships.

Nutrition and Dietetics Degrees in Victoria in 2023

According to the Dietitian Association of Australia (DAA) – Dietitian or nutritionist, there is a distinction made between dietitians and other occupations in the nutrition and food science field, including that of nutritionist.  The key difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist is that, in addition to or as part of their qualification in human nutrition, a dietitian has undertaken a course of study that included substantial theory and supervised and assessed professional practice in clinical nutrition, medical nutrition therapy and food service management.
So, in Australia, all dietitians are nutritionists, however, nutritionists without a dietetics qualification cannot take on the expert role of a dietitian.
Victorian universities offering undergraduate courses in nutrition, food science and/or dietetics include:

Note: Food Science and Nutrition are often offered as majors in courses in health, exercise science and science degrees, etc.  Students are encouraged to browse VTAC for a comprehensive list, including double degrees.

University Snapshot – Flinders University in 2023

• Situated in South Australia, Flinders University is a fairly young university, opening in 1966.
• Over 26,000 students are enrolled in courses at Flinders University.
• Flinders’ main campus is located at Bedford Park, with additional Adelaide locations at Victoria Square and Tonsley.
• The university has six colleges –

1. College of Business, Government, and Law
2. College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work
3. College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
4. College of Medicine and Public Health
5. College of Nursing and Health Sciences
6. College of Science and Engineering

• Flinders offers over 500 undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, including flexible pathways to medicine – medicine at Flinders
• Flinders introduced a range of new courses in 2023.
• Flinders has over 100 partner institutions across 33 countries.
• Scholarships, worth $2.2m in total, are on offer to students.
• Flinders offers a broad range of facilities and services to students.
• There is also a wide range of support services which include health and wellbeing and study support.
• Flinders Living offers both on-campus and off-campus accommodation, either in the form of a catered collegiate form, or self-contained units.

Resources

Year 12 students are reminded yet again that they cannot enrol in a CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place) university course next year without a Tax File Number (TFN).  Students who do not have one are reminded to apply for a TFN online and have their identity verified through an interview at a participating Australia Post office.

To apply and also to find out about participating Post Offices, visit TFN Application.

STEM Hub
Stem Hub is a digital platform connecting students and industry.  The hub is open to all university students and graduates from any university.  Students who sign up get access to leading industries and potential future employers.

Current senior students planning to study science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics are encouraged to browse this link and flag this platform as a valuable resource once at university.

Good Universities Guide
Students can search over 400 different occupations narrowed down by the field or type of work they would like to do in the future, explore university courses and compare ratings for undergraduate degrees, www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au

Course Seeker
Students can explore university courses for each state on the one website and can research courses, prerequisites, selection criteria and ATAR profiles for the 2024 intake, www.courseseeker.edu.au/

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways
You will be able to undertake apprenticeship aptitude tests, find local apprenticeship and group training centres, and learn about different trade occupations, www.aapathways.com.au

Four steps to finding an apprenticeship or traineeship
Australian Apprenticeships Pathways has developed a fantastic four-step process for students to follow when seeking an apprenticeship or traineeship, www.aapathways.com.au

My Skills
You can search for and explore vocational courses across Australia, learn about in-demand jobs and watch videos of young people who have completed vocational training, www.myskills.gov.au

Find out about your rights at work
Learn about your rights, responsibilities, how to resolve issues in the workplace and rules about unpaid work, www.fairwork.gov.au

Learn about safety in the workplace
For your rights and responsibilities, visit www.safe-t1.net.au

How to stay safe – www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/young-workers