Careers update

This term the Careers Team have had the opportunity to expose students to learning opportunities through industry immersion and applied learning.  

Swinburne University of Technology TAFE Taster Day 

On Tuesday 6th August, a group of 12 enthusiastic students participated in a dynamic and engaging TAFE Taster Day at Swinburne University of Technology’s Croydon campus. This event offered our students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Building and Plumbing departments, gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights into these trades. 

The day commenced with an informative safety briefing, where students were introduced to essential safety protocols, equipment usage, and personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Plumbing Department: The first workshop took place in the Plumbing department. Students engaged in a practical session where they used power tools to simulate a plumbing task. They successfully installed hoses and taps for both a shower and basin, with careful attention to precise measurements and detail. The instructors, all seasoned industry professionals, demonstrated a high standard of excellence and provided invaluable guidance, reflecting the high expectations and quality of graduates from Swinburne’s plumbing program. 

Building and Carpentry Department: Following this, students moved to the Building, Construction, and Carpentry department. Here, they applied their skills to construct a mobile phone holder with an integrated speaker system. The project involved measuring, hammering, pre-drilling with an electric drill, and finishing with sanding and polishing. This workshop not only enhanced their technical skills but also their understanding of practical carpentry applications. 

The students were treated to a lunch of Subway sandwiches, and we returned to school by train, reflecting on a day well spent. Feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a newfound interest in pursuing a career in these fields. As a result, several students have decided to enrol in an external VET course at TAFE in 2025. 

Overall, the TAFE Taster Day was a valuable experience, providing students with a clearer perspective on potential career paths and equipping them with practical skills and knowledge. We extend our gratitude to Swinburne University of Technology for hosting this enriching event and look forward to future opportunities for our students to explore their interests and talents. 

ARCADIS Women in STEAM, held at RMIT 

This year marked the third annual Arcadis Women in STEAM excursion, a highly anticipated event that offers a comprehensive and inspiring exploration of careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. Hosted collaboratively by Arcadis and RMIT University, the day provided students with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. 

About Arcadis: Arcadis is a global leader dedicated to improving the quality of life by creating sustainable and liveable places where communities can thrive. With a team of 36,000 professionals—including architects, data analysts, designers, engineers, project planners, and sustainability experts—Arcadis tackles some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Their work spans every phase of asset creation and management, emphasising innovative and enduring solutions to enhance mobility, protect natural resources, and foster vibrant urban environments. 

Event Highlights: The excursion began with an introduction to the Arcadis Melbourne team and RMIT University staff at the Melbourne campus. This year’s program featured a range of engaging STEAM-related workshops designed to highlight the diverse career paths available to women in these fields. 

Students had the opportunity to: 

Hear from Industry Professionals: Experts in various STEAM disciplines, including structural engineering, physics, and electrical engineering, shared their career journeys and insights. They provided valuable information on career pathways and the skills required to succeed in these fields. 

Participate in Interactive Activities: Workshops included testing the pH of water samples, exploring design processes, and understanding the principles of buoyancy and waterproofing. Students also engaged in practical coding exercises, creating games using Microsoft Microbit and Python programming. 

Explore the RMIT Campus: The day concluded with a scavenger hunt activity around the RMIT city campus on Swanston Street, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the university environment in a fun and interactive way. 

Students were treated to a catered lunch, providing a great opportunity for networking and informal discussions with professionals and peers. The day was a resounding success, offering valuable insights into STEAM careers and inspiring many students to consider these exciting fields for their future studies and careers. 

We extend our sincere thanks to Arcadis and RMIT University for hosting this exceptional event and look forward to future opportunities for our students to engage with leading professionals and explore their interests in STEAM. 

Student Reflection by Evelyn F:

My experience at the Arcadis Women in STEAM excursion was an great insight into the possible career paths for women in STEAM-based fields. We were introduced to this program at the Swanston St RMIT campus, where women with occupations such as Structural Engineer, Physicist and Electrical Engineer gave talks about their jobs and how they got to where they are now.  

The activities we explored were testing the pH of water samples, creating a sinking house by following the design process, and making various games using a microbit and python coding. 

At lunch/recess time, we were provided a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, banana bread and Shapes. The experience in general was such a positive experience, meeting a range of different people from contrasting backgrounds, schools and lives, shared through the love of STEAM. I would 100% recommend this program to any girl interested in following a STEAM career path, or even if she just has a love for STEAM in general.  

Year 12 Pathways and preparing for life beyond high school

The Careers Team focus for Term 3 is supporting Year 12 students with their pathway choices and assisting them with applications for further education, employment and gap year plans.  

We are enjoying meeting each student individually during their 1:1 Pathway meeting, which came after the full year assembly to create their Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre account, which they will use for tertiary applications. The presentation is on the Y 12 Teams page if parents of those students would like to refer to it. The presentation also includes links for webinars, fact sheets and important dates to diarise. 

Important VTAC Dates: 

July 29th – Applications open 

September 30 –  Account Fee due (timely applications close) 

October 11 – SEAS and Scholarships close 

December 12 – Victorian ATAR released 

Dec 12-14 - Careers Team available for 1:1 Change of Preference meeting  

December 14 (12 midday) – Change of preference closes 

December 23 – Dec offers released, change of preference opens 

December 24 – 2nd round change of preference closes 

January 10 – Jan offers released 

Students are reminded the Careers Team is here to support them as they navigate their way through the transition from high school to further study or employment. Our door is always open for enquiries, advice and support.  

Fiona Fuller, Jen Muller and Jenny Banks