Career Pathways
This week in Career News, as usual, we begin with an important notice for our Year 12 VCE students about an excursion to Monash University on Wednesday May 30th. There is also information for all students about up-coming Careers Expos and Tertiary workshops and experience days. There are also Tertiary updates from Deakin and Federation Universities, as well as VFA (Victorian Fitness Academy, Narre Warren). Finally, in this edition, we have a focus on careers in Interior Design & Decorating.
Important Notice for Year 12 VCE Students - Excursion to Monash University (30 May)
All Year 12 VCE students will be attending a compulsory excursion to Monash University (Clayton Campus) on Wednesday May 30th from 1.15pm to 3.45pm.
Students will be participating in the Monash University Tertiary Information Session. This session is organised by both Monash University and VTAC and provides students with an overview of the VTAC Course Selection Process and information regarding the transition from Secondary School to Tertiary Institution. Students will have presentations from Monash University staff and current students about their experiences with both the VTAC application process and life on a University campus generally.
In addition, other major Tertiary providers (not just Monash University) will have information booths & staff present to assist with inquiries. Students will be able to collect course handbooks and brochures from the various Tertiary Institutions. Students will be transported to and from Monash University’s Clayton Campus via bus.
Year 12 students please return permission letters asap to Home Room teachers or the “TIS Box” in Student Services
Key Dates and Reminders For All Students
‘Experience Clever’ at La Trobe
Running across campuses from Fri 1st June to 6th July. Register your interest at: www.latrobe.edu.au/study/life/events/experience-clever
‘Inside Monash’ Seminar Series
Running now until September.
For more info and to register visit: https://www.monash.edu/inside-monash
‘My Melbourne Future’ at Melb Uni
Information sessions on all courses running from 15th May to 14th June.
Check out the details and other events at:
https://futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/explore/events
Fed Uni ‘VCE Study Days’
When: 3rd – 5th July. For more info, visit:
‘A Day in the Life’ career exploration days at Box Hill Institute
For further information visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-creative-artist-tickets-44005271953
Explore Careers Fair – Melbourne
When: Friday 18th May.
Why not engage directly with representatives from Australia's leading organisations? For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/explore-careers-fair-melbourne-tickets-39861020385
Student International Exchange Info Sessions
VIC: Hampton 12th, 19th May, Hawthorn 23rd May, Northcote 2nd May. Visit:
www.wep.org.au for more information.
DeakInspire
An event specially designed to inspire, motivate and engage students in Yrs 10, 11 and 12 at Deakin Uni. When: Tues 3rd July (Geelong), Thurs 5th July (Burwood). http://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/events/deakinspire
Melbourne Career Expo
When: Fri 20th to Sun 22nd July
For further details, visit: http://www.careerexpo.com.au/attend/event-details
Community Achiever Program (CAP) at ACU
Applications for 2019 will open Tuesday 1st May and close 31st July.
http://www.acu.edu.au/study_at_acu/pathways_and_entry_schemes/year_12_student_entry/early_entry
Experience Days’ at Federation University (Berwick campus) have changed to the following schedule:
Nursing – 7th June, Science – 14th June, IT & Engineering – 14th June.
For more info, call: 1800 FED UNI (1800 333 864).
For Medicine & Health Science Students -
UMAT Registrations close Friday 1 June at 5pm. Test is Wed 25 July 2018.For further information visit http://umat.acer.edu.au
VFA Learning
VFA Learning offers a number of courses in Fitness, Childcare, Massage, Nursing and now Social Media Marketing.
The courses on offer include; Cert IV in Fitness (Personal Training), Diploma of Sport Development (High Performance Coach), Diploma of Remedial Massage, Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Childcare, Diploma of Nursing and Diploma of Social Media Marketing.
You can undertake these courses to qualify for work in your desired industry or to create a pathway to university for further study. Deakin University have a credit recognition arrangement with VFA for certain units of study and Federation University offer a guaranteed pathway into some courses also.
Campuses are in Geelong, Melbourne and Narre Warren, so if you haven’t investigated VFA Learning please visit: https://vfalearning.vic.edu.au/
Health Information Sessions at Deakin
Deakin’s Faculty of Health hosts a range of events and information seminars throughout the year.
You can learn from course directors and discipline experts who will be discussing their health degrees and the opportunities students have for placements, study tours, online resources, and access to Deakin’s amazing facilities.
The sessions run mainly in the afternoon and evening during the month of July. So to find out more about your chosen health area visit:
http://www.deakin.edu.au/health/health-events
Do you love Science and Technology?
Do you have a drive to find solutions to problems and fix things? Do you see yourself working in a science-related field and would like to know more about science initiated study and career paths?
If you are currently in 11 and interested in developing a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), then you are encouraged to apply for the 12-day National Youth Science Forum 2019 program.
Running in the January holidays, the program enables you to mix with like-minded students and participate in laboratory visits, science tours and a range of activities. For more information on fee’s and the application process visit: https://www.nysf.edu.au/what-we-do/ (Applications close 31st May).
Hospitality Training
Hallam Senior College is running a ‘Responsible Serving of Alcohol’ course for those who are 16 years or older and interested in obtaining this certificate to work in the hospitality industry. The program is completed in a morning and costs $60.
The next course dates are on May 19th and June 16th. For more information visit: http://www.hallamssc.vic.edu.au/en-AU/content/responsible-service-alcohol-courses-2018
Note: Students will be required to have a Unique Student Identifier number for enrolment, to arrange this you can follow the below link: http://www.usi.gov.au/create-your-USI/Pages/default.aspx.
For the Love of Food
If food and hospitality is your passion, then why not spend a week with Holmesglen during the July school holidays and learn more about the intricacies of the hospitality industry and commercial cookery.
You will learn about; coffee making, mocktails, three plate carry, customer relations, order writing, tray carrying, knife skills, kitchen safety, sushi making and cake making & decorating.
It is running from Monday 2nd July until Friday 6th July from 10am – 3pm at the Waverley campus located at 595 Waverley Rd, Glen Waverley.
The cost is $95 per person which includes a full chef uniform.
To enquire, contact Holmesglen at www.holmesglen.edu.au/about_us/contact_us
New study options at Federation University
Next year Federation University are broadening their study options with their business degrees whereby students can design and customise their degree with a double major. For example, combining Information Technology with Accounting or Marketing.
In addition, students have the opportunity for ‘work integrated learning’, where you can gain professional experience during your studies. This helps to build your business knowledge and skills enhancing your employability as a graduate. Many universities have programs to help their students to become career ready, an important aspect when choosing the university and course that is right for you.
To learn more about Fed Uni’s options for next year, you can call 1800 FED UNI (1800 333 864).
Industry Focus
The employment projection in Australia for Interior Designers is due to rise by 16.3% within the next five years*. Interior Designers design and supervise the construction or redevelopment of building interiors and their tasks usually include:
- Speaking to clients and architects to determine clients’ needs and intentions, and to ensure safety requirements are met
- They develop designs that are appropriate, functional and aesthetically pleasing
- Prepare working drawings and specifications for interior construction, materials, finishes, space planning, lighting, furnishings and equipment
- Estimate of costs of materials, labour and time, and give estimates for clients for approval
- Organise supplies and prepare detailed instructions for tradespeople
- Oversee and inspect the work of suppliers and tradespeople, and maintain time, cost and quality controls
- Work with specialists in technical areas concerned with fire, hydraulics, mechanical, electrical and structural design, ensuring industry regulations are met
- Prepare and administer tenders and contract documents
- Re-design the interiors of old buildings and design furnishings to be made by cabinetmakers, antique furniture restorers and other tradespeople
- Design exhibitions, commercial display stands or stage, film and television production sets.
If you are creative and have a passion for design, are good at problem-solving and lateral thinking, able to work autonomously or part of a team, a good communicator and have an aptitude for technical drawing and illustration, then this career is one to look at. Interior Designers can work individually or as consultants within a design group and client visitations in their homes or in offices are common with long working hours often at night and on weekends.
To consider Interior Design as a career pathway, it is helpful to have an interest and understanding of building and construction, lighting, colour and furniture. It is worthwhile considering completing your VCE/VET qualification in Interior Design or Interior Design and Decoration prior to further study. You can gain employment with this qualification, however entry into this occupation may be improved if you have a degree in Applied Design, Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Spatial Design. To gain admission into these degree’s, a VCE is usually required with pre-requisite subjects being English and Mathematics and a minimum ATAR.
Some courses also require a minimum study score in Art, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media, Studio Arts, Systems Engineering or Visual Communication Design. It is important to check entry requirements and detailed course information with each learning institution, as criteria can change and some courses require attendance of an interview and submission of folio of design work. Please see table 1.0 for a list of courses and degree’s available in Victoria.
If you are more interested in designing themes and interior decoration schemes (without the building and construction aspect), an alternative to look at is working as an Interior Decorator. This involves planning and implementing for homes, offices, shops, hotels and venues and includes tasks such as; advising clients on the selection of colour schemes, layout, lighting, furniture, floor coverings, curtains, paint, wallpaper and fixtures.
You would visit clients’ premises and take measurements, provide sketch drawings, specifications and cost estimates for client approval, supervising and coordinating installations and furniture arrangements and undertaking direct selling if working in a retail environment.
Education and training for Interior Decorators does not require formal qualifications, but you may like to consider a VET qualification in Interior Decoration or Interior Decoration & Design as competition for employment is very strong. Similar to Interior Design, these VET courses may require attendance of an interview and folio of design work and you will need to contact your chosen institution for further information.
A peak industry body for professional design is the Design Institute of Australia. The DIA brings together design practitioners with people and organisations who employ, commission, support and promote designers. Their aim is to help Australia’s professional designers to succeed in business and to enjoy their working lives. You can visit www.design.org.au to research more on the industry and joining as a member may assist you with meeting and networking with other local designers and design educators.
The below table provides a list of courses and bachelor degree’s available in Victoria:
Bruce Topham, Careers Pathways Coordinator