Careers Spotlight @ SSC
Term 3 is always a busy time in the school year. It is a time when Year 12 will make some important decisions around their pathways for next year. University early entry applications are open as are scholarship opportunities and most tertiary providers will hold face to face open days this term. I encourage all students to consider these opportunities and to speak with me should they require more information. Below are some highlights from the past few weeks as well as the upcoming opportunities and events.
Work experience
Over the Term 2 holidays, 15 students embarked on work experience with a variety of different providers. Students worked in industries such as health, finance, creative arts, animal science and event management. Congratulations to all students for demonstrating initiative, resilience and responsibility whilst carrying out the duties of their work experience programs. I invite students in Years 10-12 to contact me should they be interested in similar work experience opportunities. Below are some reflections from students who went on work experience.
Alwyn Rehabilitation Hospital
I undertook work experience at Alwyn Rehabilitation Hospital, Strathfield for four days in the school holidays.
For the first two days I shadowed a nurse on the floor, gaining an insight into the daily tasks and duties of a nurse. This included changing patients’ dressings, checking creams or treatments and helping them with basic tasks. In addition, I learnt protocols and requirements for administering medicines and how this is done to ensure a patient’s safety. I also observed an ECG scan, checking patients for potential heart conditions and specific wound care procedures, checking blood pressure and sugar levels. On the last two days of my work experience I spent time observing the hydrotherapy pools with physiotherapists, whereby they run sessions to increase mobility for patients post operation. I also observed patients’ gym sessions, whereby I saw the connection between a patient’s condition and physiotherapy exercises given. I gained an insight into the need for patience and cooperation in these fields, being able to communicate with a patient and understand their needs. In addition to this, I have witnessed the interconnectedness of these fields and the importance of their cooperation in order to effectively improve a patient’s overall health outcomes.
Stephanie Scalia
Year 11
JANA Investment Advisers
Through the one week of work experience in JANA Investment Advisers, we learned that financial work requires not only professional knowledge but also good response capabilities and teamwork skills. It was a rewarding experience, as we were able to gain valuable knowledge that will benefit us as we pursue our interest in finance. We really appreciated our time with JANA as we were given the opportunity to work and communicate with leading professionals in their own respective fields. In addition, the company’s team culture and professionalism made our work experience even more enjoyable, where we gained many important insights from our discussions with other workers. In our week of work experience with JANA, we have strengthened our understanding of both our school subjects and our passion for financial studies. Thanks to our coordinators, we were encouraged to
participate in many meetings alongside working on a project. From observing and listening to the sessions, we’ve learnt to format presentations effectively and understand new investment-related terminologies and theories that we believe will be beneficial in assisting us with our studies at school and future endeavours.
One thing we both found interesting was the different types of asset classes and the risk that comes with them. On the first day, our coordinator gave us a quick overview of the asset classes and the criteria consultants need to consider before investing and reporting with their clients based on their needs. We also learnt the interconnectedness of finance, investment, and sustainability, where JANA takes into consideration how investment affects the physical and social environment. Moreover, we were given a project that explored workplace gender equality; it allowed us to discover the role of women in companies that JANA works with. From the project, we learnt how females are viewed in the financial sector. Therefore, we truly believe these are just the beginning steps toward our growing interest in finance, and we look forward to undertaking new opportunities that can inspire us in the future.
Sarah Tan and Angelina Lam
Year 11
Academy of Interactive Entertainment
At the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, we learnt how to game design and the basics of game programming through Unreal Engine & Model using Autodesk Maya. I (Ashley) created a game where in each level, you must find a specific item and bring it back to the ‘WinZone’ to progress throughout the game. As you progress through the game, each level becomes harder.
I (Neve) created an adventure game where to reach the next level, you must complete a series of puzzles. We made shapes through Unreal using the tools provided and rendered them in Maya to not only clean up these shapes but also add colour and texture. Unreal Engine uses a visual programming language called Blueprints, using a node-based interface to create gameplay elements. By connecting graphics through a drag and drop method, we were able to learn the basics of visual programming to create a functional game. Through Unreal, we were also able to learn how to apply the different types of lighting such as Directional, Point, Spot, and Sky, to set a specific mood and enhance the gameplay.
By attending this work experience, we were able to expand our skills and knowledge in the design, programming and overall IT field.
Ashley Stanton and Neve Trainor
Year 12
Sydney Good Food & Wine Show
Gabriella and I volunteered at the Good Food & Wine Show in the city. I (Alyssa) really enjoyed the experience I gained from work placement as I got to work with new people, celebrity chefs and work with people of different ages. I learnt so many skills that can not only help with my TAFE course but real-life situations. I also enjoyed seeing behind the scenes how events are managed and set up. I learnt how to stay calm and organised under pressure and how to adapt to changes and bounce back when something doesn’t go to plan. Overall, work placement was a great experience to develop independence and maturity whilst gaining exposure to what working in the event management industry is like. This helped me gain self-confidence and has increased my motivation to continue my course and pursue further work placement opportunities.
Alyssa Walsh & Gabriella Gatto
Year 11
Russell Investment Group
These past holidays, Sienna and I undertook work experience at the financial firm, Russell Investments Group. Throughout the course of 4 days, we learnt invaluable skills and were introduced to many inspirational leaders in their respective fields. Each day of our experience looked different, with one day comprising of many meetings with people in different positions within Russell Investment Group and the others focusing on us gaining transferable skills, such as presentation and communication techniques. The week saw us creating and presenting to members of Russell about superannuation, as well as participating in workshops on excel and LinkedIn. Overall, our time at Russell Investment Investment Group was invaluable and enabled us to be immersed in many aspects of the field of finance.
Sophie Way and Sienna Chan
Year 11
Sydney Youth Orchestras
During the last week of term, Eloise Dahm and I completed work experience with Sydney Youth Orchestras. The eight days of service involved three full rehearsal days supporting the operations teams with their numerous duties, and five office days where we shifted throughout the organisation helping out with the online database, advertising for the forthcoming concerts and organising inventory. The end of the week concluded with SYO’s Winter Showcase, where, after our performances, Eloise and I participated in stage management. Work Experience with SYO truly showed us the other side of the music industry and gave us insight into what it takes to coordinate large scale performances. It was an invaluable experience that we will cherish for years to come!
Elise Armour & Eloise Dahm
Year 10
Below is a blog post written by Anna and Tamanna outlining their work experience with Cache which was posted in Cache’s monthly newsletter:
Cache
During the holidays, we got the fantastic opportunity of work experience with a fintech investment company called Cache organised by F3, Future Females in Finance.
Our first day began with an “all hands” team meeting, during which the whole team congregates and provides status updates on various business-related topics. After that, the CEO, Caleb Gibbins, and the Head of Partnerships, Daniel Headford, asked us to go for coffee and gave us a rundown of the business’ operations. As a result, we started creating Cache merchandise to raise brand recognition. In order to do this, things have to be made and then styled with the brand’s colours and logo. To wrap out the day, we attended a team strategy meeting, which gave us a glimpse into Cache’s inner workings. It was an excellent first day of the work experience, we learnt a lot while getting a good insight into the inner workings of the company.
We sat with Ted and Daniel on day 2 and learned about trading and foreign exchange. We saw the creation, sale, and trading of investments. Additionally, we were able to see the effects of a change in interest rates implemented by the RBA on the trading market. After that, we had a chance to talk with Danny, the head of funds management, about many facets of Cache as well as his professional background.
The focus of Day 3 was familiarising ourselves with Cache’s legal aspects. Henry provided us with real samples of legal papers, such as a PDS (Product Disclosure Statement) and FSG (Financial Services Guide), which gave us a great solid understanding of how they appear. He also spoke with us about his experience in law school and the development of his profession. The marketing review procedure was the last thing we learned. We had a chance to put this into practice when we offered input after examining several possible advertisements for compliance with the Cache Marketing and Communications Guide. It was interesting to observe how this function of Cache operates. Finally, we sat in on a product design meeting where the administrative portal’s user interface was being considered.
On day 4, it was Tech Time, the emphasis was on learning about the technological side of Cache’s operations. We had the opportunity to work with Saurabh Arya, who gave us some insight into what an IT job entails. The IT group is in charge of creating the software that underpins micro-investing apps and translating business goals into technical solutions. Then, we made an avatar for Cache that could be utilised on its tech platform and a new website. Cache’s Flaming Fintech Flamingo was developed by us. Given that Cache has an interest in building and discovering, we believe that this fits with their personality. We had a wonderful day since we got to use our creative skills and design this icon for Cache.
Our final day was dedicated to summarising this week and all that we have experienced and discovered. Overall, we were able to expand our expertise through a fantastic and unforgettable work experience. This work experience opportunity gave us the chance to explore real-world job settings. We want to express our gratitude to Cache and F3 for organising this event since we will carry these newly acquired skills with us.
Anna Fitzharris & Tamanna Anand
Year 11
Career Womens’ Network Roundtable Breakfasts
Over the past two weeks, we have held the Medicine and Economics Roundtable Breakfasts as follow-up events from the Career Womens’ Network Breakfast. Thank you to all of the mentors and panel members who attended to inspire our students with their insights from their own career journeys. Feedback from students has been very positive and we hope to host similar events in the future. Thank you also to Community Relations for overseeing the coordination of these events. Please see the Community Relations report for photos from these events.
Upcoming events and opportunities
Accounting Cadetship – Work full time at a boutique accounting firm whilst studying an accounting degree part time. Applications for Year 12 close 31 August. More information and apply here.
The Drop Bears Robotics Team – Expressions of Interest to join 2023 Robotics Team Competition for Years 8-12 here.
Surveying Work Experience – Express interest under the students section if you are interested in gaining work experience in surveying.
Projects Abroad – Volunteer abroad during the holidays in a range of experiences including medicine, childcare, environment, cultural immersion. More information here.
Discover Western Webinars – various dates. Register here.
ACU Open Day – various dates in August. Register here.
UAC Teaching Webinar with current teaching students – 4 August 6pm. Register here.
Wollongong University Open Day – 6 August 10am-3pm. Register here.
Whitehouse Institute of Design Illustration & Portfolio Workshop – 6 August 10am-12pm. Register here.
ICMS Open Day – 7 August 10am-2.30pm. Register here.
Camp America Online Info Session – 9 August 7pm. Register here.
ANU Ask Us Anything Arts & Humanities Online Q&A Session – 11 August 8pm. Register here.
Macquarie University Open Day – 13 August 10am-4pm. Register here.
Western Sydney University Open Day – 14 August 10am-4pm. Register here.
TAFE Virtual Open Days – 24-26 August. Register here.
UTS Open Day – 27 August 9am-3pm on campus and online. Register here.
USYD Open Day – 27 August. Register here.
Notre Dame Open Day – 27 August 10am-3pm. Register here.
Newcastle University Open Day – 27 August 9am-3pm. Register here.
USYD Engineering Webinar – 31 August 4pm. Register here.
USYD Life of a Mathematician Webinar – 31 August 5pm. Register here.
UNSW Open Day – 3 September 9am-4pm. Register here.
ANU Open Day – 3 September. More information here.
AIE Film Production Workshop – 3 September 10am-4pm. Register here.
National Art School Open Day – 3 September 10am-4pm. Register here.
Become an Au Pair Information Session – 8 September 7pm. Register here.
USYD Project Management Spring Camp (Yr 10-12) – Interactive one day camp for aspiring project managers on 30 September. Applications close 9 September here.
ACU HSC Revision Webinars 5-13 September – Register here.
For more open day dates and early entry programs, please refer to the respective guides on Veritas Online under University.
Interesting reading
3 busted myths about working in construction
11 ways to help you decide which subjects are right for you
So you completed work experience, what next?
Future of work: Graduate employment and Australia’s booming industries
Job spotlight – how to become an anaesthetist
Job spotlight – how to become a surveyor
Eva Guirguis
Careers Counsellor