Careers
Bruce Topham – Careers and VET Coordinator
Hello to the St John’s College Community. My name is Bruce Topham and I am the Careers and VET Coordinator at St John’s for the 2023 school year whilst Leana Bailey is on leave.
This edition of Careers News is largely for Year 12 students and features changes to Medicine at Monash University, details about the UMAT and information about a great series of free seminars at Monash University plus an excellent information day run by Melbourne University for those interested in becoming a Veterinarian.
The Careers Office has moved places in 2023:
The first important notice is to inform St John’s students and families that the Careers Office space moved at the beginning of this year. It is no longer in the bottom left-hand corner of the DL building, it is now in the foyer of the CLC (left-hand side as you enter). This is a very visible space and close to where many senior students study.
Year 12 Careers Interviews have commenced:
During Term 1 and early Term 2, ALL Year 12 students will have an individual Careers Interview to plan pathways beyond Year 12 i.e. where to in 2024? The Careers Interview Schedule for Term 1 has been sent to all students and parents via email and Direct Message on SEQTA. The schedule can also be found on SEQTA Documents.
Please note the following regarding the interviews:
- Interviews are 25-30 minutes (half a normal period). Students should check their time to see if they are at the start of a period or halfway through. Please be punctual.
- Interviews are during Study Periods and will take place in the Careers Office in the foyer of the CLC.
- If you miss an interview or are absent on the scheduled day in Term 1– you will be rescheduled either on a Wednesday afternoon later in Term 1 or during a study period in Term 2.
- The aim of the interview is to plan your pathway for 2024. You will add notes to your Career Planning sheet during the interview – we will revisit these in Terms 3 and 4 when you do your VTAC applications
If students or parents have any queries regarding this interview process, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I Look forward to helping students plan their future careers!
Feature Career Field: Careers in Architecture
Careers in architecture combine the arts, sciences, and technology to shape and transform our built environment. People in these jobs plan, design, and construct commercial, industrial, institutional, residential and recreational buildings and spaces. Both Architectural Technicians and Draftspersons, and Architects have strong future employment prospects. They also earn a much higher income than the Australian median.
Study Pathways
VET: Architectural Technician or Draftsperson
- Complete a 2-year Advanced Diploma of Building Design
University: Architect
- Study English, Maths, and design-related subjects through to Year 12.
- Complete a 3-year Bachelor of Architecture or a related degree at university.
- Complete a 2-year accredited Master of Architecture degree.
- Work at an Architecture firm for 2 years.
- Register with the Architects’ Board in your state - you're officially an Architect!
See this handy brochure from the Australian Institute of Architects for more detail:
https://www.architecture.com.au/explore/pathways-to-architecture
The UCAT 2023:
If you’re in Year 12 and want to apply for a medical, dental, or clinical science degree, you may need to sit the UCAT.
The UCAT is a 2-hour computer test that helps universities to select applicants with the most appropriate abilities and professional behaviours required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. It is used in collaboration with other admissions processes such as interviews and academic qualifications. We encourage you to begin preparing as soon as possible.
There are a range of Key Dates - all deadlines are 11:59 pm AEST
1st March: bookings open
17th May: bookings close
3rd July: first tests date
12th August: last test date
Here is the link to the list of universities and courses that require the UCAT:
https://www.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/universities/
Do I Need Further Education or Training?
The recently released 2022 Australian Jobs Report provides detailed information about the Australian labour market. See here for link to the Report: https://www.dewr.gov.au/newsroom/articles/australian-jobs-report-2022-now-available
Do I really need to study more when I finish school? This is a question many students ask their Careers Advisors, and the report provides information that answers it clearly. While the idea of more study when you've just finished 13 years of school may seem daunting, data from the Report reinforces its value to a successful future. By the time you finish school, most jobs will require a VET or university qualification as the workforce is becoming more highly skilled. This doesn't mean you have to go to university or TAFE straight away - taking a gap year or getting a job for which you don't need a qualification are good options if you're still figuring out what you want to do. The most important thing is to choose a course you enjoy and that is related to the kind of job you’d like.
People with a Certificate III, IV, or a Diploma, who have completed a Traineeship or Apprenticeship, or have a university qualification have higher employment rates and higher incomes than those with no post-school qualifications.
By the time you finish school, most jobs will require a VET or university qualification as the workforce is becoming more highly skilled. This doesn't mean you have to go to university or TAFE straight away - taking a gap year or getting a job for which you don't need a qualification are good options if you're still figuring out what you want to do. The most important thing is to choose a course you enjoy and that is related to the kind of job you’d like.
Post-Secondary School Options:
Most young people have a reasonable understanding of university and the workforce as pathways from high school but less awareness of other options. If you’re in Year 12, you’ll need to make decisions and choices about your next steps in a few short months!
Vocational Education and Training
VET courses are designed to give you the practical skills you need for work. They are offered by government-run TAFEs or private Registered Training Organisations. Their entry-level qualifications include Certificates I-IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Bachelor Degree courses which can take between 6 months to 4 years to complete. Some courses will have no entry requirements, while others may require you to have completed Year 12.
Take a Gap Year
This is the most flexible option as it allows you to work, volunteer, or travel through a formal gap-year program or one you organise yourself. If you’re unsure about what you want to commit to, it gives you time to get some life experience, gain perspective, and make better informed decisions about your long-term future.
Apprenticeships or Traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships are education pathways that combine on-the-job training at a real business with formal training at an RTO/TAFE to gain a VET qualification. Apprenticeships are for learning a trade, like carpentry or hairdressing, while traineeships are generally for a specific vocational area, such as office administration or information technology. Apprenticeships usually take 3-4 years to complete while a traineeship is around 1-2 years. While you need to find a business to employ you, the best things about this pathway is that you’re earning while you’re learning
Monash University News:
Key Dates:
- Monash Information Evening – Melbourne> 7 March
- Monash Information Evening – Melbourne> 7 MarchDiscover Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science> 29 March
- Discover Medicine> 29 March
- Monash Information Evening – Peninsula> 4 April
- Monash Information Evening – Warrnambool> 5 April
- MYSci> 12–14 April
Self-guided campus tours
Tour our Clayton campus at your own leisure! Monash Pocket Explorer allows visitors to physically explore the campus from the palm of their hand, in their own time. No app downloads, no worries.
Book a Tour
Planning a visit to Monash Caulfield in 2023 with your students? Contact us to book a short tour of our fine art, design and architecture spaces and ask about our courses at the same time.
From student to founder
Find out how our Fastrack entrepreneurship program fosters start-up success with our students finding and launching a business with paying customers in just 24 weeks.
Six ways to teach primary
Do you have students interested in teaching at primary school? With six ways to qualify for primary teaching, they can also combine a primary specialisation with early childhood or secondary education
Virtual-world engineers
Our Visualisation Lab enables your students to explore 3D design solutions, augmented simulation, and to develop models and algorithms for engineering applications.
Study support grants
We’re offering tech grants to low-income and regional students valued up to $3000 to get the tools they need to succeed when they enrol in our IT degrees.
VCE Chemistry workshops
Interactive and free workshops delivered at your school or online. Our programs associate VCE chemistry topics with concepts behind the formulation and therapeutic actions of human medicines.
MYSci 12-14 April
MYSci is a three-day science program specifically designed for students in Year 11 or 12 in 2023. Students will complete hands-on workshops delivered by our fantastic academics.
Book a tour
Planning a visit to Monash Caulfield in 2023 with your students? Contact us to book a short tour of our fine art, design and architecture spaces and ask about our courses at the same time
From student to founder
Find out how our Fastrack entrepreneurship program fosters start-up success with our students finding and launching a business with paying customers in just 24 weeks.