In this issue

Part of my role as a Careers Practitioner is keeping up to date with what our universities are doing, learning about changes, updates and new initiatives. Each institution holds a day where career practitioners are welcomed on-site to their campuses to showcase their offerings and explain why they are the institution of choice. This year, Deakin University hosted us at the Waurn Ponds campus and offered accommodation to 80 career practitioners from across the state in their new student accommodation at the Waterfront campus. It was a great experience to spend a night in a student apartment, as it gives us a greater appreciation of what students will experience should they live on campus. The bedroom was not huge but it had plenty of storage and the bed was comfortable, with a desk for study. To make up for the small bedroom, the living area was really large and would easily host the six people who would be living in that space. Right outside the apartment, there was an outdoor space where students could socialise and cook on a barbecue. If you are studying at the Waterfront campus, you are right next door to the university and the waterfront, which has many restaurants and places to socialise. I must admit, it was so nice to be so close to the water. The Waurn Ponds campus is only a 10-15 minute drive from the accommodation and also has on-campus accommodation.  See below for further information about the university under the heading Snapshot of Deakin University in 2024.

The benefits we get from these visits as career practitioners are that we can relay first-hand, our experiences of being on-campus, how long it takes to drive/catch public transport to the campus and our overall experience of dealing with each university. I find that each year, I am able to bring back new and interesting information to the students such as current/past student experiences, course updates, future directions for the university, knowledge of the equipment they might use in the course and knowledge of the campus itself.

I always encourage students to attend Open Days and any holiday tours that universities offer so that they can see each campus for themselves and get a feel for the space that they may be spending the next few years learning in. The official Open Days that universities hold are traditionally in August however many offer individual tours and programs over the Easter and mid-year holidays, which can have a more intimate feel to them as they are not as crowded.  It is also important to remember that these tours and open days are not just for Year 12 students, they are open to everyone and it is a great idea to start your research early so that you are not trying to do everything in Year 12.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

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

Study Tips 

Even though you know it is something you have to do, studying can sometimes feel like a never-ending slog. The following six alternative study tips might help refresh your revision and prepare you effectively for your next important exam.

Have a Post-it note frenzy
Write facts, figures, equations or anything useful on a stack of Post-it notes and stick them everywhere. You could have them in your room, on your desk, on mirrors, on doors, on windows, in the kitchen, on the stairs, in the shower, on the back of the toilet door – anywhere you will see them. They will act as constant little reminders for you throughout the day (just try not to annoy the other members of your household with your flurry of notes).

Record yourself
Why not have a bit of fun with your revision and sing your notes to the tune of your favourite song? It really does not matter how good or bad you are – in fact, if your singing is particularly off-key, it might be even more memorable (and funny too).

If you are not quite up for that, you could just record yourself reading your revision notes out loud. It can help cement some of the facts, and you can listen back to them over and over, even when you do not feel like studying. Even if you have them just playing in the background, you might find that information is subconsciously cementing itself in your brain.

Make a mind map
If note-taking is not your thing, you might like to try using more visual methods – this is where mind maps come in. Using a blank sheet of paper, put the main topic in the centre, then ‘branch’ out to subtopics. You can then add more detail to each subtopic by adding more branches. You can use colours to group similar topics or differentiate between ideas, add pictures to help you recall details at a glance and make them as fancy or as simple as you like.

Watch YouTube tutorials
Search on YouTube for videos and tutorials about your subjects and topics. Although it is probably not the best idea to use this method as a complete revision model, it can add a bit of interest to your study schedule.

Smell of success
Studies show that smells can affect our emotions and moods, and even help us remember things. So get a noseful of your favourite aroma before you hit the books, and then hopefully next time you come across the scent, it evokes memories from your study session. You could use candles, diffusers, essential oils, flowers, or even fresh fruit (if you have pets, just keep in mind that some scents and oils can be dangerous for your furry friends). And hey, even if does not work, at least your study area will smell nice.

Make up mnemonics
Mnemonics are memory strategies to help you recall large chunks of information. Do you remember singing a tune to help you remember the order of the colours in the rainbow? Or using the phrase ‘My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos’ to remember the order of the planets? These are both mnemonics. There are nine main types of mnemonic:

• Music – using tunes and jingles to remember things, like the alphabet song.
• Name/acronym – using the first letter of each word in a list of items to make a new word. This new word then helps you remember the full list. For example, the seven coordinating conjunctions are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So = FANBOYS.
• Acrostic – a sentence or phrase where the first letter of each word represents a thing that you are trying to memorise. For example, to remember the classifications of life, you could use Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup = Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
• Model – a visual representation to help with understanding and recalling important information, e.g. a pyramid model, circular sequence model, or pie chart.
• Ode/rhyme – reciting information in the form of a poem, for example, “i before e except after c, or when sounding like a in neighbour and weigh”.
• Note organisation – includes the use of things like flash cards and lists.
• Image – these work by associating an image with characters or objects whose name sounds or looks like the item that has to be memorised. For example, you can remember the two different camel species by remembering that a Bactrian camel’s back is shaped like the letter B, while a Dromedary camel’s back is shaped like the letter D.
• Connection – the method of remembering facts by connecting something new with something you already know well.
• Visualisation – using techniques like the method of loci to remember things.

If these alternative study tips aren’t quite your style, there are plenty more on the Study Work Grow website.

University News

Courses to get you Career-Ready
Bachelor of Business
Victoria University (VU) offers the flexible Bachelor of Business which provides students with a choice of twelve majors, ranging from accounting to tourism and hospitality management.  Students experience hands-on, exciting industry placements whilst having the opportunity to study at VU’s vibrant City Campus.

Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy
The four and a half year Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy is taught at the world-class sport and learning precinct at VU’s Footscray Park campus, featuring advanced exercise technology.  Students have a practical learning advantage being taught by experts in movement and physiotherapy, with the courses designed to fully prepare students for work.  The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.  Successful graduates are eligible for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

APAC-accredited Psychology Double Degrees at ACU
ACU offers two Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited psychology double degrees.

In the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, students will come to understand the complex causes and impact of crime.
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice explores the causes of antisocial behaviour and develops the knowledge and expertise graduates need to make a valuable contribution to the criminal justice sector.

The Psychology program helps students acquire knowledge, assimilate theories and concepts and develop applicable skills that are valuable to the enhancement of human functioning in a broad range of professional settings.  Together, this combined program provides students with the knowledge of both the legal system and knowledge of human behaviour, providing ACU graduates of this course with a competitive edge in the justice sector.

In the Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science, students will gain insights into the motivations for eating behaviours, how habits are formed and ways to increase behavioural change through the Nutrition Science course. At the same time they will gain an understanding of understand human functioning in a broad range of professional settings.

Combining the Bachelor of Psychological Science and the Bachelor of Nutrition Science allows for greater insights into both disciplines and, thus, benefits the graduates of the course.  For instance, knowledge gained from the Bachelor of Nutrition Science can be applied by clinical psychologists working with eating-disordered populations for better treatment outcomes.  Or, health psychologists working with chronically ill populations, such as with people with heart disease or Type 2 diabetes, will benefit from knowledge in the area of nutrition science.

Studying Urban Planning at The University of Melbourne
Urban planning is the art of making places.  It is a collaborative process that shapes the physical setting for life in urban areas. Urban planners explore the design and planning of public spaces, taking into consideration social, economic, aesthetic and environmental factors.  Urban planners and designers are actively engaged with some of the most pressing issues of our time, including increased urbanisation, climate change and sustainable resourcing.

The University of Melbourne offers a major in Urban Planning through the Bachelor of Design, and students are taught how to develop a broad knowledge of the history, theory, leading concepts and principles of urban planning and design.  Students get to understand the role of planners in influencing environmental sustainability, economic resilience and social equity in cities and towns, and be able to identify the main trends and factors shaping the development of local, national, regional and global communities.

Find out more by browsing Urban Planning at Melbourne.  The undergraduate major in Urban Planning is a pre-professional course designed to provide the basic skills and theoretical knowledge to undertake an accredited professional program such as the Master of Urban Planning.

Free University Degrees for Victorians Studying High School Teaching
In the latter part of 2023, the Victorian Government announced it was investing more than $93.2 million to deliver scholarships to support secondary teaching degree students with the cost of studying and living.  Students who enrol in a Victorian secondary school teaching degree could be eligible for a scholarship that pays them while they learn and can cover the cost of their studies.

Find out more, including eligibility details at Vic Scholarships for Secondary Teaching

Work Experience

If you would like to undertake Work Experience during the upcoming term break you need to make contact with an employer to arrange a suitable time then complete the Work Experience Nomination form download here or collect from the Careers office.  We require this form be returned to us by Monday 18 March.

Medical Research
The Walter and Elizabeth Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) Work Experience program expressions of interest are now open.  Under WEHI’s Secondary School Work Experience Program, students have a unique opportunity to learn about careers in medical research by participating in a five-day program of research activities with their scientific teams.

The program will give students direct experience working in medical research. As well as hands-on experience in the lab, the program also includes group workshops devoted to laboratory skills and safety, research ethics and science communication.

The program is capped at 24 students for each intake to maximise access to key lab equipment and deliver a quality learning experience and will take place at the WEHI Parkville campus.  Students will be expected to attend the entire program, from approximately 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. All students will need to arrange their own transport to Parkville each day, as well as any necessary accommodation. Students will be paid $10 per day as part of the program.

To be considered for upcoming work experience opportunities at WEHI, fill out the expression of interest form here: WEHI Work Experience Program

Defence Work Experience
The Defence Work Experience Program provides young Australians interested in Defence as a future career, the opportunity to sample life in Defence and learn more about the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS).  The Defence Work Experience Program is pleased to advise that the Defence is offering the following opportunities for work experience:

Introduction to the Defence Assistance Program (DAP)
A program designed specifically for students with a disability.

Location: Victoria Barrack’s, 256 – 308 St Kilda Road, Southbank
Placement Date: 30 April 2024
Application closes: 10 March, 11:30 pm

Link to apply: Defence Assistance Program (DAP)

Introduction to Navy: HMAS Cerberus (Overnight Placement)
This program will run over three days and four nights and is aimed at students interested in a Navy career.  Students are to arrive in the afternoon of Monday 27 May and depart the morning of Friday 31 May. Participants will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of the placement. Accommodation will be provided for all participants at HMAS Cerberus Navy base and students will be supervised at all times.

Location: HMAS Cerberus (Victoria)
Placement Dates: 28 to 30 May 2024
Application closes: 24 March, 11:30 pm

Link to apply: Introduction to Navy: HMAS Cerberus (Overnight Placement)

Army Trade Familiarisation (Engineering, Electrical and Health) Victoria
A program aimed at students interested in pursuing Army Trades with Defence.

Location: Bandiana (near Wodonga)
Placement Date: 22 May 2024
Application closes: 7 April, 11:30 pm

Link to apply: Army Trade Familiarisation

STEM to the Rescue
Showcasing various STEM careers in the Defence and Defence Industry. In this placement, you may have an opportunity to observe and gain an introduction to the application of research in engineering fields.

Location: Melbourne metro (various locations)
Placement Dates: 17 to 21 June 2024
Application closes: 14 April, 11:30 pm
Link to apply: STEM to the Rescue

STEM Immersion Week
This program will showcase various STEM careers and you will have the opportunity to tour the facilities and speak to many different scientists about their areas of research, education and career histories.

Location: Fisherman’s Bend (Port Melbourne)
Placement Dates: 24 to 28 June 2024
Application closes: 28 April, 11:30 pm
Link to apply: STEM Immersion Week

Applying for Medicine?

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
If you intend to apply for medicine, dentistry or clinical science degrees you may need to sit the UCAT.  The UCAT is an admissions test used by the UCAT ANZ Consortium of universities in Australia and New Zealand for their medical, dental, and clinical science degree programs.  Universities requiring the UCAT are listed at this link – Universities requiring the UCAT and also listed below.  Students intending to apply for courses requiring the UCAT at any of these universities are reminded that they will need to book a test.

Bookings will open on 5 March 2024 and close 17 May 2024.  The testing dates will be from 1 July 2024 to 9 August 2024.
Students who are preparing for entry into any of these courses are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the format of the test at UCAT Test Format  and the practice tests and preparation material provided at UCAT Preparation.

Institutions that will require the UCAT are:

Find out more at UCAT

Studying medicine – Statistics from 2023
Everyone knows that getting into medicine at university is really competitive, but what else do you know about it? Here are a few statistics about studying and working in medicine from 2023 that you might find interesting:

There are 23 university medical schools in Australia and New Zealand
They are all accredited by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to provide high-quality medical programs that lead to a qualification enabling general registration as a medical practitioner.

It takes on average 10 years to fully qualify as a doctor
After completing your degree, you will have to undertake further training, including an internship and residency. There is also further study required to specialise as a registrar. And if you want to reach the top of the medical profession ladder, even more study is required.

In 2023, there were 4,302 students enrolled in first year medicine across Australia
And 3,701 students graduated. On average, only around 5-10 per cent of students drop out at some point between their first and final years (source: medicaldeans.org.au).

A total of 18,359 domestic students were enrolled in 2023
That may sound like a lot, but when you consider this across the whole of Australia, it is really not that many places (source: medicaldeans.org.au).

Only 10.5 per cent of commencing domestic students were full-fee paying
So despite the high costs of studying medicine, there are lots of options for financial subsidies and support (source: medicaldeans.org.au).

150 indigenous students enrolled in medicine in 2023
This figure equates to 4.22 per cent of all domestic students enrolling into medicine, up from 3.53 per cent in 2022. There were also 59 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who graduated from Australian medical schools in 2022 (source: medicaldeans.org.au).

33.7 per cent of commencing students in 2023 came from a rural background
This is slightly down from 34.2 per cent of students in 2022 (source: medicaldeans.org.au).

Women have a higher rate of enrolment into medical degrees (53 per cent in 2023) But they account for only 45.9 per cent of all registered medical practitioners in Australia, as opposed to 54.1 per cent of men (source: medicaldeans.org.au, ahpra.gov.au).

Skills you need to succeed at university
Going off to university or another tertiary institution to study is exciting, but it can also be challenging. Knowing (and having) some of the skills you need to succeed at university could help you get off to a flying start.

Click here to read the difference between university and high school

Events

March 14 to 16 at the Melbourne Showgrounds
The Careers and Employment Expo will showcase over 130 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages. Entry is free.
The event is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training and career options.
The expo is packed with free advice, you can…

• Talk with over 130 training organisations and employers
• Gain free career advice
• Discover jobs of the future
• Talk with leading organisations about training and apprenticeships
• Experience the free career seminars
• Learn how to write a winning resume
• Enjoy the ‘Try’a Skill’ zones

If you are looking for a career path, you cannot afford to miss the Expo on the following dates:

Thursday 14 March, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday 15 March, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday 16 March 16, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

For further details visit: Careers Expo

Box Hill Institute Talk and Tours
Students keen on finding out about studying at Box Hill Institute, seeing the facilities, and speaking to teachers, are invited to attend one of three Talk and Tour events taking place in March.  Tours may include the hair and beauty salons, the florist, Fountains Restaurant (which includes state of the art kitchens), the vet clinic, the music studios, automotive workshops and much more.

Tuesday 19 March – Elgar Campus
Tuesday 19 March – Nelson Campus
Thursday 21 March – Lilydale Campus

Time: 4:00 pm–7:00 pm

Registration is essential and students go into a competition to win a Student Study Pack valued at over $4,000.  Browse Box Hill Institute Talk and Tours and choose the preferred campus tour or even more than one.

Discover Monash Events

Monash University will be hosting several Discover Monash events or activities over the coming weeks.  Unless specified online**, these will be face-to-face events.

Participating in one or more of these events will assist students in making informed choices about their study options after Year 12.

The following events will take place from March until May and students are encouraged to register early.
For a complete list, and to register, visit Events Calendar – Discover Monash.

Monash Year 10 Discovery Day
If you have been thinking about your future, how to get the best study outcomes and what would it be like to be a Monash student then Year 10 Discovery Day is for you!
Participate in interactive faculty workshops and attend information sessions that are designed to ignite your curiosity, fuel your aspirations and guide you through the next steps that lead to a bright and promising future at Monash.
There are even custom-tailored sessions for your parents or guardians.
5 April 
Find out more

AIM School Holiday Workshops
AIM’s holiday workshops are designed for high school students interested in theatre, performance and songwriting. Created for students in Years 9 to 12, the two-day workshops provide incredible opportunities to experience performing and being mentored by AIM’s own accomplished industry professionals.

The two programs being offered are:
Music Theatre: 8-9 April Register here
Performance and Songwriting: 11-12 April Register here

AIE Industry Experience Day
11-17 April
AIE’s Industry Experience Day is a great opportunity for students in Years 10 to 12 to learn about the local and international game development, 3D animation and visual effects industries. Students will get the opportunity to learn about the different pathways to get into the industry and what should be in a portfolio, and will be able to get creative in practical workshops using industry-standard 3D animation and game development tools.

The sessions are run by industry professionals who have worked on some blockbuster games and films. Everything is provided for you to participate in the hands-on workshops and you will be using the same software that is used in the industry.

Find out more

Snapshot of Deakin University in 2024

• Deakin University is one of the largest universities in Australia, with over 66,000 students across its four campuses in Melbourne, Geelong, and Warrnambool, and one being its Cloud Campus – Deakin Locations.
• Ranked highly for world-class facilities, research, and teaching, as well as employability, innovation, and inclusiveness – browse About Deakin and Why Deakin.
• Deakin has maintained the highest level of overall student satisfaction among Victorian universities for more than twelve years running.
• In the recently published Australian Financial Review Best Universities Rankings, Deakin is listed seventh in Australia and second in Victoria.
• Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences is a world-leading sports science school, ranked first in the Shanghai Ranking 2023 for Sport Science Schools and Departments in the world.
• Deakin has four faculties and several schools within each faculty – Faculties and Schools.
• Deakin is one of only three Victorian universities offering graduate medicine.
• Deakin offers trimesters and a significant number of its courses online.
• Deakin encourages its students to participate in study abroad and exchange programs as part of their course – Study Abroad.
• Another excellent resource for Deakin students is this. This resource is packed with inspiration for life, learning and career. Deakin believes the journey is as important as the destination and whether students are curious about technology, innovation, culture or personal development, is the perfect place to ignite imagination and fuel ambition – this Deakin.
• Deakin has an excellent reputation for producing highly skilled work-ready, and resilient graduates from a diverse range of backgrounds. The award-winning DeakinTALENT Careers and Employment Service helps employers to connect with Deakin students across a range of areas.  DeakinTALENT “is your Anytime–Anywhere Careers and Employment Service, available to you for the rest of your working life!”           

Gap Year

CCUSA facilitates work placements at summer camps in the USA and Canada for young travellers.
These programs are open to individuals aged 18 and over by 1 June of each year. The program typically runs from June to September (Northern Hemisphere summer).  Aussies are highly sought-after to work as camp counsellors/leaders at the 1000+ camps they collaborate with across the USA and Canada.

Check out CCUSA for further information

Scholarships

The University of Melbourne Hansen Scholarship
The Hansen Scholarship Program aspires to nurture and significantly expand the horizons of Australian students who may otherwise struggle to access a high-quality university education.

Applications close 3 April 
Find out more

ANU Tuckwell Scholarship Program
The Tuckwell Scholarship Program is the most transformational undergraduate scholarship program in Australia. Every year they offer 25 talented school-leavers the opportunity to fulfil their potential by actively participating in the very best that ANU has to offer.

Applications close 11 April 
Find out more

Courses

Growing Demand for Gaming Qualifications
A growing number of students are turning their gaming hobby into a promising career in the thriving digital game development industry. The demand for game design and development qualifications is surging and starting salaries for junior developers range from $60,000 per year to experienced professionals earning over $115,0001.
Holmesglen Institute offers the following course options in game design and development:

• ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Gaming Development)
• ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Game Art and Design) with Diploma of Information Technology (Game Programming)

Event Management Courses in Victoria in 2024

The Good Universities Guide indicates that an event planner or event coordinator plans and organises special events, including parties, wedding receptions, product launches, banquets, sporting events, meetings, conferences, and conventions. Successful event planners:

• enjoy working with people
• have good organisational and time management skills
• have good attention to detail, interpersonal, communication and supervisory skills
• present themselves well
• are comfortable working with computers
• are able to negotiate, delegate and work under pressure

Depending on the size of the establishment, event coordinators may work independently or as part of a team. They often work irregular hours, and on weekends and public holidays.  Learn more at Good Universities Guide – Events.  For a comprehensive list of all event management courses offered by all Victorian institutions, visit VTAC.

There are a number of institutions in Victoria that offer courses, or majors, in event management, and some of these include: