Careers - Term 4 Week 7

Welcome to the last Careers’ Blog for 2017.  I want to say a big thank you to all the students, parents and staff I have worked with this year.  It has certainly been an interesting and successful year and I have enjoyed working with and helping develop students’ future career goals, pathways and subject selections. 

Some of the highlights of the year have been:

• St Andrew’s Catholic College Career and Trade Expo
• Year 12 University Experience Days at James Cook University and CQ University
• Attending the Guidance Officer Days for Monash University
• QTAC preparation with Year 12 students, parents and carers
• Year 10 into 11 subject selection interviews
• College visits from representatives from TAFE North, Bond University, Griffith University, Griffith College, International College of Hotel Management, UQ, JCU & CQU

I wish all our 2017 College Graduates the best of luck in their future pursuits and I look forward to hearing about their successes.

I also look forward to working with students, parents, staff and community organisations again in 2018.

Match your career to your values

Self-awareness is the first step in exploring your career options.  Self-awareness is having knowledge of things such as your interests (especially your career interests), strengths, aspirations and values.  What are your values?  Not sure?  The WA Career Centre website has a free Values card sort tool that can help you rate a series of values.  At the end of the activity, you are given a report that outlines the values that are most and least important to you.  Access the tool here.  When reading about or talking to people about the jobs you are considering, think about whether your most important values will be met in these jobs.

2018 JMC Academy Creative Industries Short Courses

JMC Academy will offer the following short courses from 15 – 18 January 2018:

• Audio (two-day course)
• Character Design (two-day course)
• Introduction to Visual Design (three-day course)
• Insta-Pro Marketing Boot Camp (two-day course)
• Pop Songwriting and Production (four-day course)
• Script to Screen (four-day course)

Find out more here and register now before the Early Bird 20% discount ends. 

Applications for the Christian Heritage College (CHC) LAUNCH program now open

CHC is a Christian college of higher education.  It offers degree courses in Business, Education and Humanities, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Ministries.  It is located at Carindale, Brisbane.  The LAUNCH program provides secondary students with an opportunity to study up to two CHC subjects in Semester Two of Year 11 and/or Semester One of Year 12 (one unit per semester).  Successful completion of a CHC subject may provide automatic admission to a degree course at CHC on completion of Year 12.  Applications for 2018 Semester One are now open.  Find out more on the LAUNCH program site.

Australis College

This college, located in Spring Hill, Brisbane, offers accredited diploma and certificate courses in the following fields of study:

• Business and Management
• Financial services
• Information and Technology
• Social Media Marketing
• Natural health
• Enterprise Solutions
• Counselling and Community

Australis offers flexible study options. Visit the College website for more information.

Basair Aviation College

Basair Aviation College specialises in training students to become commercial pilots.  In Brisbane, the college is located at Archerfield Airport.  If you want to know what it’s like to fly a plane, the Archerfield Airport campus offers a one-hour Trial Instructional Flight for $220.00.  Find out more on the College website.

CQUniversity (CQU) online chat session

CQU will hold an online chat session from 3 – 6 pm on Tuesday 28 November 2017.  This is your opportunity to ask questions about courses, campuses, pathways, etc.  Please register to attend this session.

Events at TAFE Queensland

The Future of Design Information Night – Interested in design but not sure about which area of design?  This event will help you explore options in civil engineering, architectural studies and interior design.  It will be held from 5.45 – 7.30 pm on Wednesday 15 November 2017 at the TAFE Queensland South Bank campus.  Visit the website for more information and to register.

CRE8 2017 - Come and join in this free showcase of the best student works from the year, across all areas of the creative arts, including fashion, floristry, photography, digital design and much more.  It will be held from 6 – 8.30 pm on Thursday 16 November 2017 at the TAFE Queensland South Bank campus, 66 Ernest Street, South Brisbane.

Meraki: End of Year Fashion Parade – This event will be held from 5.30 – 8.30 pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017 at the TAFE Queensland Mt Gravatt campus.  Tickets ($15 per person) will be on sale soon.  Meraki will showcase works created by the TAFE fashion students.

Adult Tertiary Preparation Information Night – If you don’t think you will gain entry to your preferred tertiary course or you need to meet subject prerequisites, consider completing the Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation.  You can learn about this course at the information night to be held from 5.30 – 7 pm on Tuesday 28 November 2017 at the TAFE Queensland Caboolture, Loganlea and South Bank campuses.  Register to attend here.

Flight Attendant Training enrolments for 2018 now open at Aviation Australia

Aviation Australia is offering this training course at its Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne campuses.  There are no specific entry requirements for the course.  The course can be undertaken full-time or part-time.  There are various start dates.  Visit the website for details. 

McGregor Summer Arts Retreat and the McGregor Music Summer 2018

The McGregor Summer Arts Retreat will be held from 7 – 13 January 2018 at the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba campus.  With both Creative Art and Visual Art workshops come and immerse yourself in a week-long artist sanctuary.  Enrolments are now open.

The McGregor Music Summer 2018 will also be held from 7 – 13 January 2018 in Toowoomba.  Musicians will gain exposure to the many career pathways and performance options available within the contemporary music world.  Registrations are now open.

Medical Science offered at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in 2018

USC will offer the B Medical Science for the first time in Semester One 2018.  It is a three-year program that will provide provisional direct entry into Griffith University’s planned Doctor of Medicine program at the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya.  More news about this here.

News from the University of Queensland (UQ)

The UQ Toolkit – This is a collection of helpful web pages for UQ students, especially new students.  It includes:

• Dictionary of UQ terminology - This can help you understand the language of university study
• FAQs – Answers questions on admissions (e.g. UQ Bonus Scheme, choosing courses and much more)
• my.UQ - Provides information on the processes you are likely to encounter when studying at UQ
• UQ Answers - Has a section for future students to ask questions about studying at UQ.

Visit the UQ Toolkit webpage to access these useful ‘tools’.

Moreton Bay Research Station Open Day - UQ's Moreton Bay Research Station will be hosting its Open Day from 10 am – 3 pm on Saturday 25 November 2017.  The day is free for all.  There will be free Moreton Bay discovery cruises, a live animal show, art workshops and research talks.  Visit the website for more information.

UQ Mates - Meet new people, do fun things and have good times with UQ Mates.  Join one of the several mates groups.  This is a fun way of transitioning to this very large campus.

UQ’s Community Access Program - The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Community Access Program (Non-Award Access Program) provides an opportunity for members of the community to access individual subjects without undertaking a whole degree or applying through QTAC.  To apply you need to be at least 18 years or have completed Year 12.  You could explore this program as an alternative pathway to university.

Qld School of Film and Television (QSFT) 2018 High School Program

Applications are now open for QSFT’s Certificate III in Screen and Media in 2018.  This is a twelve-month program, with students attending one class per week.  It will give you the opportunity to complete a nationally recognised qualification that provides the fundamental skills necessary to work in the film and television industry.  The course will commence on Wednesday 7 February 2018.  Scholarships may be available.  For more information, phone 3392 7788 or email marketing@qsft.qld.edu.au.

Reminders from the Jazz Music Institute (JMI)

2018 courses – Free pre-audition interviews are available for prospective students interested in the following courses:

• B Music in Jazz Performance
• Certificate III and IV in Music Industry (Performance) – also available for Year 11 and 12 secondary students.

Brisbane JMI Summer Jazz Clinic – This is a four-day jazz performance clinic designed for musicians of all ages and abilities.  The clinics are delivered in a fun and friendly environment and are ideal for beginner, intermediate and advanced jazz players.  It will be held from 8 – 11 January 2018.  Find out more here.

Updates from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Changes to creative industries courses – You have more options with the reviewed and updated creative industries courses offered in 2018.  These include the following new double degrees:

• B Business/B Fine Arts (Animation)
• B Business/B Fine Arts (Film, Screen and New Media)
• B Fine Arts (Film, Screen and New Media)/B Laws (Honours)

Find out about other creative industries course changes here.

Scholarships and other opportunities in business and technology - Scholarships often provide advantages in addition to financial support, such as work experience and access to professional networks.  Find out more about the opportunities with QUT business scholarships and the Westpac Young Technologists Scholarships.

QUT disability support - Students with a disability, injury or health condition who are planning to study at QUT can contact the QUT disability advisers to discuss support options.  Find out more on the website.

QUT Accelerator – Do you have a business idea but don’t know where to start?  The Accelerator is a three-month intensive program aimed at getting you and your startup commercially ready.  Find out more here.

Use QILT to compare institutions and their courses

Finding it difficult to made final decisions about the institution you want to attend?  The QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) website can help you compare study experience and employment outcomes data from Australian higher education institutions to select the institution with all the qualities you want.

What’s new at ACU (Australian Catholic University)?

New Health Science double degrees for 2018 – ACU will offer the following double degrees starting in Semester One 2018.  Doing a double degree can increase your employment opportunities.

• B Applied Public Health/B Business Administration
• B Science/B Business Administration

Certificate IV in Fitness – This certificate is required to be a personal trainer.  It is offered at ACU’s Brisbane campus starting in January 2018.  For more information and to download a brochure, visit the ACU website.  For further information, contact Jocelyn Anderson on 3623 7647.

Entry bonus schemes – These schemes can help you improve your chances of gaining entry to ACU courses through the allocation of bonus points (now called Adjustment factors).  You don’t have to submit an application for the following entry bonus schemes when you apply for ACU courses through QTAC.

• Year 12 subject
• Access ACU
• School’s relationship
• Campus
• Regional school

However, you are required to apply for the following entry schemes.

• QTAC’s Special Access Scheme
• ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performers Program

ACU Scholarships - ACU offers a range of scholarships for commencing students, from rewarding academic achievement to supporting equality.  There are nearly 400 scholarships on offer.   Some scholarships contribute a one-off payment, while others provide support for each year of your degree.  You can apply for as many scholarships as you want.  View the scholarships available here.  Make sure you submit applications by the due date.

Highest paying Australian jobs by industry

SEEK Insights and Resources have recently revealed the five highest paying jobs in the following industries.

Education and training – Average salary: $78,802; Highest paying jobs: University management ($109,581); Tertiary teaching ($108,988); Vocational management ($88,707); Research and fellowships ($84,303); Secondary teaching ($84,207).

Call centre and customer service - Average salary: $58,091; Highest paying jobs: Management and support ($84,628); Supervisors/team leaders ($73,735); Sales outbound ($58,010); Collections ($56,009); Sales inbound ($54,592).

Engineering – Average salary: $104,347; Highest paying jobs: Management ($133,264); Project management ($102,775); Systems engineering ($118,331); Project engineering ($113,775); Building services engineering ($107,774).

Retail and consumer products – Average salary: $58,924; Highest paying jobs: Area/Multi-site management ($89,511); Planning ($87,299); Buying ($83,839); Merchandisers ($65,017); Store management ($55,574).

The data also lists the average salary per state for each industry.

Labour market information

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) August 2017 Labour Force Survey data includes a range of employment characteristics for each of the 19 broad industries, including employment trends, median weekly earnings, projected employment growth and top employing occupations.  You can access the information here.

Labour market snippets

How to lead in a disrupted world – This TEDxYouth talk is presented by Bernie Woodcroft, Director of ilab, a Start-up Accelerator owned by the University of Queensland.  He talks about the current and likely future changes in the world of work and the skills needed to be successful.

Videos highlighting 21 Century skills – The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has produced several videos on the skills needed in the job market in the future.  The content of the videos is directed at teachers but is equally useful to young people.  See the QCAA website to access the videos.

Most jobs will be soft skills intensive by 2030 – A recent article on the HRM site refers to several reports that support the prediction that soft skills will be in demand in the future job market.  The article lists the following soft skills that will be in demand:

• Communication
• Friendly/Approachable
• Self-motivated/Ambitious
• Driven by outcomes
• Positive and enthusiastic.

Jobs Availability Snapshot 2017 – This report, recently released by Anglicare Australia, shows what the job market is like for job seekers facing the greatest barriers to work, e.g. those without qualifications or experience; those trying to re-enter the workforce; those living in regional or remote areas.  The results show a grave situation for these people.  Up to five of these jobseekers are competing for each entry-level role across Australia.  Read the report here.  This report highlights the importance of gaining qualifications and work experience.  An article related to this report is Young Australians left behind by jobs market.

10 Things tech companies are looking for in recruits – An article in The Martec, states that over recent years, the hunt for new recruits has expanded beyond technical ability.  Experience and ability still count, but it’s not everything.  Employers are also looking for recruits who have energy, effective communication, authenticity, ego-less (they don’t like show-offs), personal and professional drive, passion for their work, entrepreneurial skills, emotional intelligence and team skills.  Read the article to learn more about these characteristics.

Looking for work? Here are some tips

Two articles of interest to students looking for work, full-time, part-time or casual, on the Year 13 website are:

• 7 ways to find your first job
• 5 excuses that you need to ditch before you’ll get a job.

Also visit the Year13 website for information on apprenticeships, gap year programs, job vacancies, studying, money advice, internships and the fun of life after school.

7 amazing engineering careers

The latest Careers with STEM newsletter has a focus on the following engineering careers.  The article includes case studies of people who work in each engineering career.

Geotechnical engineers – Geotechnical engineers deal with many types of infrastructure (tunnels, bridges, dams, buildings, roads, railways, ports and landfills) that are built on or in the ground.  They study soil types and rock structures to design the best solution.  To become a geotechnical engineer, you usually complete a degree in engineering (e.g. Civil engineering), or a degree in science with a major in geology or engineering science.  The median salary is $77,209.

Civil engineers – Civil engineers design, plan, organise and oversee the construction of civil engineering projects such as dams, bridges, pipelines, gas and water supply schemes, sewerage systems, roads, airports and other structures.  To become a civil engineer, you complete an engineering degree with a major in civil engineering.  The median salary is $72,097.

Petroleum engineers - The world’s energy needs rely heavily on extracting fossil fuels from deep within the Earth.  Petroleum engineers work closely with geologists to find oil and gas and design machinery to extract and process them.  These engineers require a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemical engineering.  The median salary is $87,840.

Aerospace engineers - These engineers make flying possible by designing and building everything from helicopters to spacecraft.  These engineers require a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a major in aerospace engineering.  The median salary is $74,842.

Computer systems engineers - They don’t just design and build laptops and desktops.  These engineers can also be found developing the latest supercomputers, navigation devices for cars, and gaming systems.  They usually have a degree in engineering with a major in computer systems and software.  The median salary is $67,759.

Environmental engineers - When it comes to a cleaner world, these engineers make it happen by focusing on the impact engineering activities have on the natural world.  They usually have a degree in engineering or science with a major area of study in environmental engineering.  The median salary is $70,384.

Biomedical engineers - Whether it’s designing wheelchairs or artificial hearts, biomedical engineers combine medicine with engineering to help people lead healthier lives.  They usually have a degree in engineering with a major in medical or biomedical engineering.  The median salary is $62,335.

Interested in working in the community care and disability sector?

This sector is one of the largest in Australia and is growing.  It provides a range of services aimed at improving the quality of life for people with support needs, including those who:

• Are elderly, frail or infirm
• Have physical or intellectual disabilities
• Have mental health issues.

The sector employs people from a broad range of occupations, from project managers to community care assistants.  Do the Career Quiz on the Care Careers website to find jobs within the sector that suit your personality and work goals.

Jobs in the Australian Football League (AFL)

Working in the AFL doesn't just mean being a player or a coach. There are hundreds of roles behind the scenes that impact the game days.  These include Advertising Account Executive, Administrative Assistant, Dietitian, Medical Practitioner, Chef, IT Manager/Computer Engineer, Marketing Officer, Statistician, Physiotherapist, Podiatrist, Events Manager/Coordinator and Journalist.  Read the article, Behind the scenes at the AFL, on the Good Universities Guide website to learn more about these jobs and how they relate to the AFL.

Latest Careers with Code magazine out now

Quiz yourself to find how you can combine computer science with your passion to generate new ideas for career and study options, browse computer science degrees in Australia and New Zealand and meet the coders combining computer science with fashion, gaming, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, sustainability and more in this latest edition of the Careers with Code magazine.

What jobs are there in the timber industry?

The Growing Careers website provides information about jobs associated with the forestry and wood products industry.  Use the ‘Find a career’ section on the website to learn about over 50 jobs associated with the timber industry.  Other features of the website include course information, employer profiles and videos.

Compare US colleges and universities

When researching US colleges and universities, you can open an account on the CollegeBoard website to save all your college planning activities.  The website has a Compare Colleges page where you can compare up to three colleges.  It can help you organise your research.

World University Rankings 2018 for Engineering and Computer Science results

Looking for the top university in the world to study engineering and/or computer science?  The World University Rankings 2018 for engineering and computer science have recently been released.  You can access this information here.

Ever had a memory block in the middle of an exam?

The following information is adapted from What causes mind blanks during exams?, an article published in The Conversation.

When you are preparing for an exam in a setting that is predictable and relatively low-stakes (e.g. at your desk at home), you can engage in cold cognition (i.e. logical and rational thinking processes).  However, when you enter a somewhat unpredictable and high-stakes exam situation, you enter the realm of hot cognition (i.e. non-logical and emotionally driven thinking processes).  Hot cognition is usually triggered in response to a perceived threat or highly stressful situation.  It can lead to irrational thoughts such as “If I fail this exam, I won’t get into uni.  I’ll be a failure for life”.  This thinking triggers a physiological stress response in the brain that can lead to working memory being wiped clean and recall mechanisms being disrupted.  The authors of the article suggest the following strategies to prevent mind blanks.

• De-stress before an exam – Strategies such as relaxation and cognitive-behavioural techniques (e.g. confronting irrational thoughts such as ‘If I fail I will be a failure for life’) have been shown to reduce the stress of exams.  See your school Guidance Officer/Counsellor for help with learning these techniques.
• Preparation - When preparing for an exam, try not to be in a highly relaxed, soothing environment.  Push yourself in ways that will simulate a test situation.  For example, after a study session set yourself some exam questions based on the information you have just revised.  Set a time limit for completing the questions.  The more you prepare under exam-type conditions, the less likely you are to perceive the ‘real’ exam as a threat.

The following related articles from The Conversation are also worth reading:

• Revising for exams – why cramming the night before rarely works
• How to overcome exam anxiety.