Careers – Week 3 Term 4

MCE Careers Website Link mcecareers.com

Term 4, Week 3 2026

Date: Friday, 30 October 2026

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Welcome to this week’s Careers Newsletter! Below you’ll find upcoming tertiary events, webinars, job spotlights and useful study tips to keep on your radar as we head into November.

Final Call: A reminder for parents of Year 10 students whose son has completed their compulsory Week 10 work experience: please take a quick moment to complete this evaluation form via this link. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

UPCOMING EVENTS & WEBINARS

Next Week’s Events

  • TAFE NSW Accounting and Finance Online Info Session: 4 November 2026 (Online) — Discover course offerings ranging from tax law to the Bachelor of Applied Commerce, along with pathways and support services.
  • Explore Speech Pathology at Sydney Webinar: 4 November 2026 (Online) — Learn about course structures, clinical placements and entry requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology) at USYD.
  • STEM + X: Technology Webinar: 4 November 2026 (Online) — Explore tech careers across cybersecurity, coding, digital design and AI.
  • WSU Sport, Exercise and Health Webinar: 4 November 2026 (Online) — Learn about Western Sydney University’s degree options in sport and exercise science.
  • CSU Online Parent Information Session: 4 November 2026 (Online) — Designed for parents to help navigate Year 12 transitions, university processes and options at Charles Sturt University.
  • Procrastination & ADHD Webinar: 5 November 2026 (Online) — Practical study tools, time-management hacks and task-initiation strategies for Year 10–12 students and parents.
  • TAFE NSW Interior Design Online Info Session: 5 November 2026 (Online) — Highlights certificates, diplomas and bachelor degrees in interior decoration and design.
  • Beginner Shakuhachi Workshop: 7 November 2026 (Sydney Conservatorium of Music) — Introductory workshop on traditional Japanese bamboo flute techniques and notation for ages 16+.
  • National Fashion College Styling Workshop: 7 November 2026 (Sydney Campus) — Hands-on fashion styling experience and photo shoot assistance for ages 16+.

Future Events & Key Dates

  • AMPA Performing Arts Experience Days: 9 & 11 & 12 November 2026 (Surry Hills & Alexandria) — Hands-on experience days covering Dance (9 Nov), Classical Music & Composition (9 Nov), Music Theatre (11 Nov) and Contemporary Music & Production (12 Nov).
  • Basair Pilot Career Seminar: 9 November & 7 December 2026 (Bankstown Airport) — Overview of training pathways to become a commercial pilot.
  • Life of an Agricultural Scientist Webinar: 11 November 2026 (Online) — USYD session on agricultural science pathways, agribusiness and food security.
  • UTS College Know Your Options (HSC Parents Session): 11 November 2026 (Online) — Information on UTS entry pathways and academic preparation post-Year 12.
  • UTS Engineering & IT Parent & Guardian Info Evening: 12 November 2026 (City Campus & Online) — Guidance on UAC preferences, admissions pathways and course options.
  • University of Newcastle Insights Evenings:
    • Nursing Insights: 12 Nov (Tamworth), 17 Nov (Central Coast), 19 Nov (Callaghan).
    • Law Insights: 18 Nov (NUspace, Newcastle).
  • TAFE NSW Virtual Open Week 2026: 17–19 November 2026 (Online) — Interactive webinars covering hundreds of study pathways, enrolment and student support.
  • Preparing for ATAR Release Webinar (USYD): 18 November 2026 (Online) — Insight into admission pathways, adjustment factors and preference changes ahead of results.
  • Camden Careers and Jobs Expo: 19 November 2026 (Camden Civic Centre) — Free expo connecting students with employers, course providers and industry reps.
  • Steps to STEM Webinar: 19 November 2026 (Online) — Female tertiary students share practical insights into university and TAFE STEM pathways.
  • Local Land Services Demonstration Farm Open Day: 20 November 2026 (Greater Sydney) — Interactive displays on ag-tech, sustainable production and First Nations land management.
  • AIE Open Days (Sydney & Online): 21 November (Campus) & 5 December (Online) — Detailed overviews of game development, 3D animation and VFX courses.
  • TAFE NSW Online Info Sessions (Late Nov – Dec):
    • Veterinary Nursing: 23 Nov
    • Information Technology: 24 Nov
    • Wildlife & Exhibited Animal Care: 24 Nov
    • Animal Care: 25 Nov
    • Agriculture / Farriery: 26 Nov
    • Visual Arts (Ceramics): 2 Dec
    • Individual Support (Ageing & Disability): 8 Dec
  • Le Cordon Bleu Careers Residential: 24–25 November 2026 (Sydney Campus) — Two-day immersive program for Year 11–12 students exploring culinary arts and hospitality management.
  • Discover Nursing at USYD Webinar: 25 November 2026 (Online) — Overview of undergraduate nursing degrees and clinical placement structures.
  • Year 11 & Beyond with ADHD Webinar: 26 November 2026 (Online) — Senior workload management and post-school transition planning.
  • CSU Online Law and Criminology Info Night: 26 November 2026 (Online) — Details on justice system career pathways and course structures
  • Unlocking People, Planet and Innovation (WSU): 27 November 2026 (Parramatta South Campus) — Indigenous student experience day for Years 9–12 featuring hands-on workshops and industry yarns.
  • SAE IT & Computer Science Info Session: 1 December 2026 (Online) — Explores cyber security, AI and computer science degrees launching in 2027.
  • Camp America Sydney Job Fair: 6 December 2026 (Sydney) — Face-to-face interviews with US summer camp directors.
  • “I’ve Got My Results, What Now?” Webinar: 15 December 2026 (Online) — Guidance from myfuture on navigating options after Year 12 results.
  • Notre Dame Info Day: 17 December 2026 (Sydney Campus) — One-on-one advice, campus tours and degree advice.
  • UTAS Enrolment Support Session: 18 December 2026 (Rozelle Campus) — Personalised help finalizing university enrolment.
  • Indigenous Australian Engineering School (UNSW): 10–16 January 2027 (Kensington Campus) — Free week-long residential engineering experience for Indigenous Year 10–12 students (Applications close 1 Nov 2026).
  • SciX@UNSW Summer School: 18–22 January 2027 (Kensington Campus) — Intensive research week for HSC Extension Science & IB students (Early fee-waiver deadline 7 Nov 2026).

SCHOLARSHIPS, COMPETITIONS & EXPERIENCES

Scholarships

  • UNSW AB Gange Bequest Indigenous Merit Scholarship: AU$25,000 value. Open to Indigenous students. Closes 11 December 2026.
  • UNSW Sports Scholarships: Up to AU$10,000 value. Closes 30 November 2026.
  • SCU The Lord’s Taverners Seawind Catamaran Indigenous Scholarship: AU$5,000/year for 3 years. Closes 14 February 2027.

Competitions & Opportunities

  • AgDay Photography & Video Competition 2026: AU$5,000 total prize pool. Entries close 20 November 2026.
  • CSIRO Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy: Ongoing development program supporting young First Nations women entering STEM fields.
  • Care4Notts Virtual Work Experience: Online experience exploring careers across health and social care sectors.

JOB SPOTLIGHT & CAREER READINESS

Job Spotlight: Chef

Chefs manage kitchen operations, plan menus and prepare food in commercial settings.

  • Core Skills: Calm under pressure, strong time management, creative mindset, team leadership, attention to detail.
  • Work Environment: Restaurants, hotels, cafes, catering and institutional kitchens; often involves split shifts, weekend work and physical stamina.
  • How to get started: Gain early casual experience (e.g., kitchen hand), complete a Certificate III Commercial Cookery apprenticeship and build experience across different kitchen styles.

Cadetships vs. Co-Op Scholarships: What’s the Difference?

If your teen wants to study while gaining real-world industry experience, both options offer great pathways:

  • Cadetship: An agreement directly with an employer. Students work part-time/ full-time for a single company while completing their degree, earning a salary and often receiving fee support. Common in accounting, engineering and IT.
  • Co-Op Scholarship: Administered by a university alongside industry sponsors. Scholars receive financial support and rotate through multiple work placements across different companies during their degree (e.g., UNSW Co-op).

STUDY SKILLS & PRACTICAL TIPS

1. Beating Procrastination: The “Eat the Frog” Method

Named after the principle of tackling your hardest task first thing in the day, this strategy prevents high-priority assignments from hanging over your head.

  • Identify the task you are most likely to avoid (your “frog”).
  • Break it down into clear, manageable steps.
  • Complete it at the start of your study block before checking emails or completing easier tasks.

2. Open Book & Material-Allowed Exams

If an upcoming exam allows formula sheets, quote sheets, or open notes, remember:

  • Formula Sheets: Get to know the sheet early so you know what formulas are included, but focus study time on when and how to apply them.
  • Quote Sheets: Group quotes by theme or character rather than chronological order to make essay planning faster during timed conditions.
  • Open Book Notes: Keep materials concise, clear and indexed – spending too long searching through thick stacks of paper wastes valuable exam time.

3. Evaluating Website Reliability

When conducting online research, check sources using these quick guidelines:

  • Domain Check: Domain endings like .gov.au and .edu.au come from verified government or educational institutions.
  • Lateral Reading: Search the author or organization in a new tab to see what independent sources say about them.
  • Red Flags: Watch out for missing author names, heavy pop-up advertising, overly dramatic language, or unverified claims.

4. Managing Your Digital Footprint

Around 70% of employers research candidates online during recruitment. Encourage students to search their own names periodically, adjust social media privacy settings and maintain a professional online presence.

If you have any questions about university applications, UAC, or apprenticeship options, please feel free to contact the Careers Office at the College – benjamin.nguyen004@syd.catholic.edu.au 

For the full version, please see the link

Warm regards

Mr Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser