Concerning Careers

Year 12: Careers-based interviews
Year 12 boys who completed a post-school options survey in Term 1 are being rostered to attend an interview with the Careers Counsellor. These interviews aim to assist boys with their career/study planning for 2019 and beyond. The interviews commenced in Week 9 of Term 1 and are expected to continue until Week 5 of Term 2. In the initial interviews, boys can discuss their plans, ask questions and explore different options. The boys are welcome to organise additional interviews as needed.

UMAT 2018
The Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) is used by a large number of tertiary institutions as part of their undergraduate selection processes for medicine, dentistry and some other allied health courses. Registrations are required by 5pm on 1 June. The registrations need to be made directly to ACER online.

Before registering, applicants are required to read the information book available on the ACER website and view the UMAT registration tutorial. Applications for special testing conditions must be made by 16 June. The test will be held on Wednesday 25 July 2018. UMAT is available to any candidate whose educational level at the time of sitting the test is their final year of secondary schooling, or higher. Candidates found to have sat the UMAT in Year 11 will have their results cancelled and be permanently banned form sitting the UMAT. Applicants are reminded that on the test day they will be required to show one form of photo-bearing identification. The requirements are:

• A current passport
• Current driver’s licence or learner’s permit (photo-bearing)
• Current photo-bearing key-pass, proof of age card or 18+ card (commercial ID preparation programs)

Certified letters of identification from Schools, employers or other institutions are no longer acceptable.

Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA)
The PQA is a test designed to assess a range of personal qualities considered to be important for the study and practice of medicine, dentistry and other health areas. The PQA is used by Adelaide University as a part of the selection process for international students for medicine and dentistry. The test is held in different centres on several dates during the year, with the Adelaide test date being Friday 3 August. Registration to sit the PQA is done via Adelaide University’s international applications website and must be made before 30 June. More information.

International Student Admission Test – ISAT
International students currently studying in Australia who are considering applying for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science or physiotherapy in Australia, will need to sit the ISAT. The ISAT is a three-hour computer-based test held at various times during the year. Applicants must check with each institution to determine their deadline for the ISAT results. The following institutions use the ISAT:

• Monash University, Melbourne– medicine
• Monash University, Malaysian campus – medicine
• Flinders University, undergrad pathway to medicine
• University of New South Wales (UNSW) – medicine
• University of Queensland – medicine and dentistry
• University of Sydney– veterinary science
• University of Tasmania – medicine
• University of Western Australia (UWA) – pathway to medicine and dentistry
• University of Western Sydney (UWS) – medicine

For more information on the ISAT

The University of NSW: co-op scholarship
The co-op program is a career development scholarship for high potential undergraduate students. It offers industry training, leadership and professional development, networking opportunities, mentoring and financial support of $18,200 pa tax-free for four years. Australia’s leading companies take part in the training and professional development of the scholars with a view to recruiting high-potential young professionals. Up to 18 months of relevant industry experience with multiple companies during the degree provides invaluable experience into the real world of work. The scholarship is offered for study in many areas, including engineering, science and business. Applications close on 28 September. The application requires a school contribution, so any boys intending to apply need to see Mr Colsey in the first instance. Find out more

Defence Forces Gap Year 2019
Gap Year 2019 applications are now open. Interest in this gap year opportunity is usually very high. The program is a great opportunity for those aged 18 – 24 to experience a diverse range of roles in the Australian Defence Forces. Early applications are encouraged as each ADF role in the program has a maximum capacity and when this capacity is reached, it is closed. More information.

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)
Year 12 students considering applying for ADFA are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure sufficient time for the application process. Year 11 students can also apply now. ADFA develops and educates the future leaders of the navy, army and air force. The program at ADFA combines military and leadership training with a recognised degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). There are a range of degrees available at ADFA: arts, business, engineering, information technology, science and technology. ADFA recruits receive free medical and dental treatment, subsidised food and accommodation. More information about ADFA.

University of British Columbia (UBC) Canada
On Friday 1 June, 6pm – 7:30pn, UBC will be presenting an information evening for those who are interested in studying at this Canadian university. The session will be hosted at PAC in the Piper Pavilion and anyone is welcome to attend. UBC is a four-year public university, one of Canada’s top institutions. Students don’t need to sit the SAT for entry to UBC. More information.

Careers and Employment Expo
The expo will cover a wide range of careers and courses, and will include apprenticeship opportunities, defence force recruiting, university pathways, TAFE options and include career workshops and resume advice services. The expo is being held on 25 and 26 May at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. Entry is free. More information about the expo.

Law Admission Test 2018: registrations now open
Students who are considering studying law at UNSW will need to sit the Law Admission Test (LAT). LAT is a written test that is used to demonstrate a student’s aptitude and suitability for studying undergraduate law at UNSW. A LAT score, in addition to academic results (e.g. ATAR + additional points) will be used in the selection process to better differentiate between the many high achieving applicants to Law. LAT and practice questions. Registration.

Lattitude
Lattitude Global Volunteering is an organisation specialising in volunteering for 17-25 year olds. This includes facilitating placements as tutors in overseas schools in countries across Europe, Africa, Asia/Pacific and the Americas. There are placements of varying lengths of time and scholarships for placements in some areas. Applications close on 15 June. Information sessions will be held during the year and selection interviews are expected to be held in July. Further details and bookings, email info@lattitude.org.au or call (03) 9826 6266.

Career related events on the calendar
June 7 – Year 10 PLP university tour (UniSA)
June 28 – Year 10 PLP university tour (UniSA)

UniTEST – Flinders University
UniTEST is an aptitude test that has been designed by ACER to assess the kinds of generic reasoning and thinking skills needed for students to achieve success in tertiary education. uniTEST assesses this reasoning and thinking across the broad domains of mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences. At Flinders, uniTEST is available for school leavers and has the potential to effectively improve an applicant’s selection rank as the uniTEST result is weighted at 40% and considered alongside the applicant’s ATAR (weighted at 60%) during the selection processes for Flinders Uni courses. More details about the test

Australian National University (ANU)
The ANU offers the George Alexander Foundation Scholarship for commencing students who must move away from home to undertake an undergraduate degree at ANU. It is awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic merit, community involvement and leadership potential. Applications open shortly and close in August. More information.

References
Often students require school references for tertiary applications (in particular overseas applications) or residential college applications. The references can usually be categorised as being academic or personal/character type references. The School does have a policy to support students requiring a reference or school-based referees. Any student requiring a reference or seeking a staff member to be a referee should contact the Careers Counsellor in the first instance. This is so the type of reference required can be ascertained and appropriate arrangements made to prepare a suitable reference. References, transcripts of results and academic statements cannot be prepared immediately. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required to effectively prepare the reference, transcripts and/or academic statements, and students should factor this time requirement into any planning for applications.

Auction Idol competition 2018
Auction idol is a competition where participants learn about auctioneering and develop communication and public speaking skills. It is a great way of learning how to think and talk on your feet as well as learning about careers in real estate. It can be a very challenging experience, and this year five Saints boys competed. Year 11 students Blake Lawrenson, Yi Qin, Will Quigley-Smith, George Karassoulos and Anuk Kariyawasam performed well in the heats held at Cornerstone College on Friday 11 May. Unfortunately, none of the boys made the final. A special thank you to Matt Smith from Klemich Real Estate for his dedicated mentoring and training of the boys for the competition.

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in Canberra or Brisbane
Year 11 students who have a passion for science and technology are invited to apply for the National Youth Science Forum. Delivered in the January school holidays, the 12-day program offers laboratory visits and science tours, the chance to mix with like-minded students from all over Australia, and undertake activities that develop a better understanding of the wide range of study and career options available to them through engaging with corporate and university partners. Applications close on 31 May. More information.

Chartered Accountants: Nextgen Challenge
The Nextgen Challenge is a week-long program that teaches core entrepreneurial skills to high school students in Years 8 to 10. Students form teams and develop creative business solutions for a problem in their community. They are required to produce a business plan and financial forecast, deliver a sales pitch, and create elements of a marketing strategy and undertaking a number of smaller challenges along the way. Apart from learning the skills required to run a business, participants also learn about stress and team management, independent learning, budgeting, planning, creative thinking and speaking in public. Nextgen Challenge is being held from 21 – 25 June at Torrens University in Adelaide. More information.

Adelaide Zoo Career Awareness days
The Adelaide Zoo conducts awareness days to showcase a range of careers that are associated with zoos. Students will be interacting with professionals from a range of departments. These employees will be sharing information about their job and career journeys.The next Zoo Career Awareness Day is being held on Friday 29 June is now open for bookings. It is suitable for Year 10 – 12 students. Bookings can be made online. Once the Term 2 date is full, there will be other opportunities at the Term 3 Career Awareness Day on Friday 7 September. The cost is $38 per student. Lunch (pizza, soft drinks and juices) will be provided on the day.

Undergraduate Accountancy employment opportunity
Accountancy firm Tilbrook Rasheed is looking to appoint students to trainee accountant positions to commence in 2019 as a part of their undergraduate recruitment program. This involves working as a trainee accountant (getting experience and being paid) while studying commerce/accounting part time at a South Australian university. Any students interested in this career path, particularly accounting students, should see Mr Colsey for more details. Applications close on 13 September.

St Leo’s College
St Leo’s College is male residential college associated with the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. Resources are now available in the School for any students considering studying in Brisbane and looking for accommodation options. More details about St Leo’s College

CDW Studios
School of Visual Effects and Entertainment Design, provide students with relevant education to work in the VFX and entertainment design industry. CDW Studios are now taking registrations for their 3D high school holiday workshop on 9 – 10 July. This will be an introductory workshop teaching technique in 3D modelling and sculpting for the film and game industries. The cost to attend the workshop is $120. More information 

Mark Colsey
Careers Counsellor