Careers – Week 3 Term 3

MCE Careers Website Link mcecareers.com

Term 3, Week 3 2026

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

Welcome to this week’s Careers Newsletter!

With Term 3 well underway, our Year 12s are sitting their HSC Trial Exams and navigating key university application windows, early entry pathways and HSC prep, while our Year 10 students are securing their Week 10 Work Experience and 11 students are starting to look closely at post-school options.

As always, we’ve put together a round-up of upcoming events, university open days and practical career insights to help your family navigate these big choices.

Note to Year 10:
Please ensure that you find work experience before the deadline: Week 6 – Monday 24 August

University & College Open Days

Attending an Open Day is one of the single best ways for students to step onto a campus, meet current academics, tour student accommodation and get a genuine feel for where they might be spending the next few years.

AFTRS Open Day 2026
- When: Saturday, 8 August 2026
- Where: Australian Film Television and Radio School (Sydney)
- Details: Explore world-class facilities including industry-standard studios, the tech store and audio libraries. Speak directly with staff and current students about applications and creative career outcomes.
Charles Sturt University (CSU) Open Day – Wagga Wagga
- When: Sunday, 9 August 2026
- Where: CSU Wagga Wagga Campus
- Details: Tour student accommodation, meet expert teaching staff and check out early offer programs and career hubs.
Macquarie University Open Day 2026
- When: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Where: Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus
- Details: Join 1:1 sessions with academics, attend degree workshops, tour the green campus,and learn about adjustment factors and pathways.
ADFA Open Day 2026
- When: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Where: ADFA Canberra Campus & Online
- Details: Learn about studying UNSW degrees at ADFA, explore military training and watch live displays.
Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP), SAE University College and AIM Sydney Open Days
- When: Saturday, 15 August 2026
- Where: Respective Sydney Campuses
- Details: Ideal for students exploring psychology, social work, creative media, sound engineering, design or contemporary music performance.
ACU (Strathfield) Open Day 2026
- When: Sunday, 16 August 2026
- Where: Strathfield Campus
- Details: A major Sunday for campus tours, faculty information sessions and course advice.

Live Webinars & Information Sessions

UOW Future Talk for Parents – Financial Considerations, Scholarships & Wellbeing
- When: Monday, 10 August 2026
- Format: Online Webinar
- Details: Designed specifically for parents/carers navigating Year 12. Covers Early Admission, university fees, scholarships, accommodation budgeting and support services.
Why Study Business at the University of Sydney?
- When: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
- Format: Online Webinar
- Details: Explores USYD’s Bachelor of Commerce, major/minor combinations, internship placements and global study options.
Conservation Science Careers Webinar (Bush Heritage Australia)
- When: Friday, 14 August 2026
- Format: Online Webinar
- Details: Held on the eve of National Science Week. Connect with field professionals working in conservation science and ecology.

Spotlight on Careers: Data Analytics vs. Data Science

With technology driving almost every industry today, terms like “Data Analyst” and “Data Scientist” pop up everywhere. But what actually is the difference?

Feature	Data Analytics 📊	Data Science 🤖
Primary Focus	Answers specific questions using historical data.	Predicts future outcomes and builds automated models.
Perspective	Looking Backward: Why did a sales trend change? What worked?	Looking Forward: What will happen next? How can machine learning help?
Key Tools	Spreadsheets, database queries (SQL), dashboards, chart reports.	Advanced programming (Python, R), machine learning frameworks.
Ideal For	People who love solving structured, practical problems and explaining data to others.	People who love open-ended questions, coding,and building predictive algorithms.

School Subjects that Help: Strong performance in Mathematics, Information Processes & Technology (IPT) or Software Design gives students a great head start for either pathway.

Practical Skill Boosters: Short Courses & Microcredentials

For students building a resume for part-time work or looking to stand out on early university entry applications, completing a short course shows real initiative. Here are a few practical credentials that pack a punch on a high school resume:

First Aid & CPR: Highly regarded across retail, sports, hospitality and tutoring. Demonstrates maturity and emergency preparedness.
Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) & Barista Certificates: Essential for quick entry into café and hospitality work once turning 18 (or 17 for barista skills).
White Card (Workplace Health & Safety): Required for any student considering work experience, traineeships or casual roles on construction or trade sites.
Basic Digital / STEM Credentials: Introductory online short courses in Python, Excel or web development through platforms like TAFE NSW or Coursera show strong self-motivation.

Career Exploration Tip of the Week

“You don’t need to have your entire life mapped out in Term 3.”

High school leavers often feel pressured to choose a single “forever” job. In reality, modern career paths look more like stepping stones. Focus on discovering the skills and environments your young person enjoys – whether that’s hands-on problem-solving outdoors, working with people or diving into data and research.

Reach Out to the Careers Desk

If your son needs help with:

UAC applications or university entry schemes
Resume reviews or job applications
Exploring apprenticeship or TAFE options

If you would like to discuss these pathways further, please book an appointment with the Careers office by email. We are here to support every student in finding their best next step!

Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Warm regards,

Mr. Benjamin Nguyen
Benjamin.Nguyen004@syd.catholic.edu.au
Careers Adviser