Alumni Spotlight

This week we have two ex-students in the spotlight! Both moving into completely different fields and industries. Read about their career paths and their advice for the current JMSS Students.

Sarah Sims - 2012

Sarah was part of the first cohort to graduate JMSS in 2012.

What have you been doing since you left JMSS?

I completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Mathemetics at the University of Melbourne. I’m my final year of uni I started working at Macquarie Bank and have been working there for nearly 5 years now. I started as a financial analyst and now work in credit risk.

During your time as a student at JMSS, what did you like most?

I was always enjoyed learning maths and science, and JMSS was a place where you were surrounded by people who shared similar interests and passion for learning. It was also pretty special to be in the first graduating class at JMSS.

Was there anyone who inspired you?

There were a couple of JMSS teachers I had throughout my three years at the school who I felt really believed in my abilities. I think this helped me to realise my own potential and push myself further.

What's your favourite memory of JMSS?

After a year on practically non-stop studying in year 12, the moment after finishing my final exam and being able to celebrate the end of high school with my friends is hard to beat.

What advice would you give to the current JMSS Students?

When choosing a university degree don’t think you have to already have worked out exactly what you want to do in the future. Even though I studied maths at uni, I decided I wanted to work in a corporate banking job and I was able to make that happen. There are also a lot of people with STEM backgrounds in banking.

What do you do in your spare time?

I really enjoy good food, so I either like to cook and have friends around to eat or go out and try new restaurants.

What's next for you?

Macquarie Bank has given me a lot of opportunities, so I am planning to continue to progress my career there.

Karly Fowler - 2015

Karly graduated in 2015

What have you been doing since you left JMSS?

I moved to QLD for university, and upon graduating in October last year, I’ve been working as a full-time Environmental Scientist for an environmental consultancy.

During your time as a student at JMSS, what did you like most?

Dynamic Earth (geology) and Enviro Science classes

Was there anyone who inspired you?

Miss Reifschneider (now Mrs Hergott) and Mr Mann

What's your favourite memory of JMSS?

I absolutely loved the quirky JMSS events, such as Harry Potter’s birthday. I also really enjoyed the competitiveness between the houses- Blackburn is the best!

What advice would you give to the current JMSS Students?

You are never tied down into one thing. You’re allowed to change your mind of your university preferences; it means you may be in university longer than others, but it’s far more valuable to choose a field that makes you happy, rather than a field that you feel you ‘have to’ work within.

What do you do in your spare time?

Weight lifting, gel blasting skirmishes, video games (Xbox/Switch) and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

What's next for you?

I’m exceptionally happy in my line of work as an environmental scientist, but I’m currently applying to enlist as a combat engineer within the Australian army reserves.

Any other pieces of wisdom? A large factor in how I’ve made it into my career so fast, was because I took on any opportunity I could. Volunteering, helping out friends-of-friends with tasks (eg. Moving), and networking! Treat every person you meet, as someone who could land you your dream job. I’m not saying burn yourself out- but if you’ve got free time and energy, put it towards something productive for other people. It all looks fantastic on a resume, and gives potential employers a better insight to your work ethic. Plus, it’s always good to have a healthy number of references who can back your statements up.

Another piece of advice... which needs to be taken with a grain of salt, is to realise the reality of what your grades mean. Don’t take this to say I didn’t try my best in university and high school! It’s advice to allow yourself to step back sometimes, disconnect and reflect on your situation. Stressing yourself out to the point of breakdown never helps anything- trust me, I’ve been there, I was *that* student freaking out ten minutes before each exam. Identify your own coping methods, cool off, take the time for self care- and everything else will start to align itself nicely.