This week in Career Pathways we start with a description and some photos of VCAL students on work placement. There is also an exciting workshop and presentation about careers with the Victoria Police Force. As well, there are updates from Melbourne, Monash and Victoria Universities. We finish with another reminder to our current Year 12 students about Results & VTAC Change of Preference processes

VCAL Students on Workplacement

An integral part of the VCAL program is that all students complete a work placement, relevant to their VET (TAFE) field of study, one day per week throughout the year.

The work placement provides students with a wonderful opportunity to get hands-on experience in their chosen career, to develop networks and contacts and most importantly, to increase their chances of securing an apprenticeship/traineeship and ongoing employment post-school.

It is always a great pleasure to visit students on work placement, as the vast majority represent St John’s College well and receive very positive feedback about their placements. Below are some photos of recent visits to VCAL students on placement.

University of Melbourne Updates: Deferring and The Bachelor of Science

Students who are thinking about deferring a Bachelor of Science with an intent to commence their studies in mid-year 2018 need to consider that some of the 41 majors will take more than the “standard” six semesters to complete or they will need to undertake a summer subject.

Immunology, Microbiology & Immunology and Chemical Physics (as a specialisation of Physics) are the majors that may require longer than 6 semesters. Students may also be required to complete an additional maths subject depending on their maths level and their major.

How Engineering Can Take You Around the World Into The Future

Studying at Monash University’s Prato Centre in Italy, and attending a leadership conference in Orlando, USA are some of the ways Jacky Song is already discovering where an engineering degree can take him.

Previously experiencing exchange and an internship in China, Jacky has made the most of his time at Monash studying the double degree Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics). In Prato, Jacky enjoyed attending class with students from all around the world. “Having the opportunity to travel to Europe, let alone study there, was an overwhelming experience.” Jacky added that he relished the location. “The Prato campus is simply breathtaking. It is located close to the city of Florence, and provides a vivid backdrop of renaissance Italian scenery.”

“On the weekends, I had the opportunity to travel. Despite the winter semester only being four weeks long, I visited Scotland, England, Germany, and Denmark!”

The previous summer, Jacky had undertaken an internship with EY in the Insurance Technology Group (ITG) team, where he worked at the cutting edge of software and with people throughout the Asia-Pacific.

After being offered a graduate position with EY commencing in 2018, Jacky was also invited to represent their Melbourne office at the International Intern Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference brought together over 3,300 interns from 29 countries to further develop leadership and networking opportunities in the industry.“Having a STEM background has given me the confidence to learn new things, no matter how foreign they seem to be.

The world is changing at a rapid pace, and no student can possibly graduate with all the skills required – therefore a willingness to continue to learn is a huge asset in all STEM students.”

Victoria University News:

Revolutionising The First Year of Experience

It’s common knowledge that for many first year students the transition from high school to university can be a little overwhelming for some students. Imagine having to wrap your head around the sheer size of the campus, meeting new people and juggling the demands of multiple units, coursework and deadlines at once. We believe achieving those early wins is incredibly important for students in their first year. That’s what the First Year Model has been designed to do.

VU has a long-standing commitment to give any student, from any background, the chance to study and achieve their best. Our experience, along with extensive research data, proves that investing in first year is critical for a student’s future success. That’s why we developed the First Year Model – to put the students’ needs first. We offer students the opportunity to learn in a way that develops their skills as confident, and independent learners.

Instead of juggling four units at the same time, semesters will be broken into four blocks each. In those blocks, students will focus on one unit at a time, three days a week, for four weeks. During a four week-long block, students will receive continual feedback, completing their assessments within the four weeks, and receiving their marks on the Monday after they’ve completed their unit.

One of the greatest benefits of the First Year Model is flexibility. Most units are available morning, afternoon and at times, in the evening, in multiple blocks throughout the year. This means students can choose what units they study and when, across the ten blocks throughout the year, to fit in with their work and family commitments outside of university.

The first unit students study is a fixed introduction to their discipline, course and university. This unit has been designed to set students up with a strong foundation, so they have the confidence and the skills to complete their studies. Which all means less stress and more success in first year

Police Force: Transport and Logistics Industry Immersion Day

CLICK HERE to register

Location: 1 Batmans Hill Dr, Docklands

Date: Thursday November 30, 2017

Program Outline

10:00am – 11:00am Q & A with members from Victoria Police

11:00am – 11:20am Morning Tea

11:20am – 12:20pm Victoria Police Presentation

12:20pm – 1:00pm Catered Lunch

If you are seeking a stimulating, challenging and rewarding career and have values aligned to those of Victoria Police, we encourage you to consider a career in policing. Please join us at this session to learn about the Police role, the recruitment process and training at the Academy.

Victoria Police provides policing services to the state’s community 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working to keep over six million people safe. Victoria Police employs 18,000+ people, including;

Police
Protective Services Officers (PSO
Police Custody Officers (PCO) and
Victorian Public Servants (VPS)

Our employees work from more than 500 locations across the state, ensuring that a safe and secure society underpins the economic, cultural and social well-being of Victoria.

Victoria Police provides an environment in which mature, adaptable and fair-minded people of good character can thrive. As a Victoria Police employee, you will have access to great benefits, including pay, leave entitlements and training.

A career with Victoria Police offers people the opportunity to work in their chosen field, in an ever-changing, satisfying and rewarding environment.

Reminder Year 12 Students - Change of Preference Week

Once students receive their results and ATAR on 12 December, VTAC Course preference changes can be made until 12 noon 20 December, they can also be made between Offer Rounds in January and February.

Where Can I Get Assistance During "Change of Preference week"?

The week after you receive your ATAR is generally known as Change of Preference (COP) week (Mon 12 – noon on Tues 20 December). During this time tertiary institutions run information sessions, COP Expos, offer phone assistance, and will help you in any way they can. You can also obtain assistance at school. These institutions are offering the following (check online for more details)

Australian Catholic University – Hotline: 1300 ASK ACU (1300 275 228); COP event on Tuesday 13th December.
Box Hill Institute – Hotline: 1300 BOX HILL (1300 269 445); 5-7pm, COP Night 14 December (all campuses)
Charles Sturt University – Hotline: 1800 334 733
Chisholm – Hotline: 1300 244 746
Deakin University – Hotline: 1300 DEGREE (1300 334 733); Chat online with staff and ask questions: http://choose.deakin.edu.au/; Information Evenings: 4-7pm, 15 December, Level 2, Building BC, Burwood Campus; 4-7pm, 16 December 1 Gheringhap St, Geelong Waterfront Campus; Register: http://choose.deakin.edu.au/
Federation University - 1800 333 864
Holmesglen – Hotline: 1300 693 888
Kangan – Hotline: 13 8233
La Trobe – Hotline: 1300 135 045; Advisory Day: Tues 13 December (Bundoora 10am-2pm), (Bendigo 11am-2pm).
Melbourne Polytechnic – Hotline: 9269 1200
Monash – COP Expo: 3-7pm, Wed 14 December, Building H, Caulfield campus, 900 Dandenong Rd, Caulfield East; COP Hotline: 1800 MONASH (1800 666 274); see www.study.monash
RMIT – Hotline: 9925 2260; Visit Info Corner, 330 Swanston St, Melbourne (Cnr. La Trobe St); COP Expos: Arts, Design, Communication, Justice, International & Community Services courses 11am-1pm, 14 Dec; Business courses 3-5pm, 14 Dec; Science, Engineering & Health courses 11am-1pm, 15 December; http://inspired.rmit.edu.au .
Swinburne –Hotline: 1300 275 794; COP Expo: 11am-4pm, 14 December (Hawthorn campus); See: www.swinburne.edu.au/choose.
University of Melbourne –Hotline: 13 MELB (13 6352), email 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au
Victoria – Hotline: 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864) ; Book appointment: www.vu.edu.au/change; COP Expo: 3.30-6.30pm, 14 December (Footscray Park)
William Angliss – Hotline: 1300 ANGLISS (1300 264 547)

Bruce Topham, Career Pathways Coordinator

Notices