Careers
Claire Pech – Careers Advisor
Last week I attended the UNSW Careers Advisors Day, which highlighted all of the new initiatives going on at this prestigious institution. In 2017, UNSW was the number 1 university of 1st preferences in Australia for High School leavers and non-High School leavers. Please scan the article below to find an area of interest for you, as there was a huge amount of content covered.
Professor Merlin Crossley – Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic
What is it like for students today? This year Michelle Simons from The UNSW was voted Australian of the Year. Emma Jonston, the new Dean of Science is a presenter on BBC Coast, and is now the President of Science and Technology Australia. The Nobel Laureate Fraser Stoddard is joining the School of Chemistry, and finally Pasi Sahlberg from Finland is joining the Gonski Institute of Education. So a lot of prominent figures are part of this growing institution.
Curriculum overview
The UNSW staff are always asking, how can we make UNSW better? These are the issues they are currently addressing:
- Reducing workload pressures
- Courses are spread out more evenly (3 courses per term, rather than 4)
- Reducing crowding in classrooms
- There are still 8 courses spread over the year, but students can do 3 courses per term, so only 3 sets of exams, assignments, and contact hours
- Improving internships and workplace opportunities
- Increasing research internships
- Increasing international exchanges
- Reducing casual staff
- Invigorating dead periods in the university timetable
- Upgrading the entire curriculum
- Staff and students are being invested in more efficiently and effectively
Scholarships
Fifteen million dollars is offered every year to promote equity and research. There are 3 types of application methods: Direct Application, UAC Application and Automatic Selection.
Direct Application
- There are a variety of types from Indigenous, to sporting ability, to academic ability and so on. Students will have to register and log in and enter their achievements to date.
UAC Application
- Students can apply for an EAS application under the financial disadvantage group.
Automatic Selection
- Scholarships are based on merit and The UNSW will find you and award the scholarship rather than by application.
Tips
- Apply early
- Write comprehensive answers
- Provide supporting documentation
- Write about what sets you apart, so provide detail and sell yourself!
Dates
- 30 September – EAS Applications open for school leaver applications
- 30 November – EAS applications close
The Co-Op Scholarship – the Career Development Scholarship
- 956 applications were received in 2017, with 283 interviews and 68 scholarships offered. There was an even gender split with an ATAR requirement of 96.
- There is a new Co-Op scholarship in Advanced Mathematics and Data Science & Decisions.
- Applications open early in May but close on the 28 September and interviews take place early in November.
Business School – Global student opportunities
The 2025 vision is to have every student having some type of international experience by the time they graduate. The Global Business Practicum takes place in Jakarta, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Yangon, Mumbai and Tel Aviv, taking place over 3.5 weeks, in groups of 20-50 students. The new Colombo Plan funding can help with costs of in-country expenses, flights and so on.
Architecture and Social Engagement – Professor David Sanderson
The UNSW is trying to equip their architects with a social engagement awareness, for example looking at the huge refugee crisis moving into cities around the world. The faculty is connected to local groups to help the marginalised in society.
Dr Kate Bond – In the Classroom
The Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull MP, recently mentioned that too many students are studying Law. He mentioned that studying Humanities, Communications, Arts would be more useful, and young people should only do Law if they want to become a lawyer. There was a backlash to this comment, as lots of commenters responded that there was many gains to be had by studying Law, not just becoming a Lawyer. The Dean of the Faculty of Law responded by saying that Mr Turnbull was probably talking about the Law degree that he did decades ago, as opposed to what it is like studying a modern Law degree today. In the last 5 years, there has been so much about technology’s effect on Law. UNSW Law uses technology to increase access to Law – which has always been a priority here. Law can now be coupled with Computer Science and Information Technology. This is something that would have been unheard of a decade ago.
In 2016 the Law Admissions Test came in (the LAT). This was used in conjunction with the ATAR for a new admissions policy. For 2019:
- The LAT is a written 2 hour test
- The LAT and the ATAR are combined (so only EAS points apply, not subject)
- It is only run once a year (in September 2018)
- In 2017 the median LAT score was 79 and the median ATAR was 98.55
- They are used on a sliding scale so the higher the LAT, the lower the ATAR needed and vice versa.
Theatre and Performance Studies – Dr Bryoni Treziese, School of the Arts and Media
Graduates have found the skills they have learnt to be so helpful for future careers. Potential paths and skills were in Education, Human Resources, Communications to name a few. Graduates are building interpersonal skills, soft skills, and leadership skills that are transferrable. The degree teaches skills in critical thinking, creative innovation, dynamic action – how to think on your feet! The UNSW graduates in theatre are working in all of the major performance spaces in Australia. How are these skills taught? Industry-led courses are taught in a real-life situation to produce a public show. Courses are also taught in specialist learning labs with students developing portfolios throughout. Internships are mandatory, and courses are broad ranging including curating and producing. They also offer honours programs and run Theatre and Performance with a variety for combined degrees.
Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Bioinformatics Engineering – what’s the difference? – Dr John Shepherd, Deputy Head of Engineering School
There are 4 different degrees offered in the Faculty. These degrees can lead into a whole range of career paths. To quote Dr Shepherd, it is not for “nerds sitting in cubicles!”. What is the difference between all of these degrees – “one year!”. Computer Science is a 3-year degree. You can do a sub major as well. All degrees can do an Honours year solving a problem. What is needed? A decent Mathematics background is needed. All degrees assume you have passed Maths Extension 1 and Maths Extension 2 is recommended. Computer Engineering also assumes Physics has been studied and Bioinformatics requires Chemistry or Biology. But NO previous computing is assumed. Bridging courses are offered for the pockets of knowledge needed.
There is a common core in all FOUR degrees:
- Programming fundamentals (this can be done at school for super keen students!)
- Computer Systems Fundamentals
- Software Engineering Fundamentals
- First Year Maths 1A and 1B
- Object oriented Design
- Data structures and Algorithms
- Ethics and Project Management
All courses have a strong emphasis on building software, working in labs, with in-lab exams.
- Computer Science Degree – designed for flexibility. You can take the core (above) and then add on top of this. There are 5 computer science electives, with 8 more free elective choices.
- Engineering Degrees – there is a thesis project in the 4th year and 60 days of industry training. There are also 2 General Education courses.
- Software Engineering – the aim is to produce software project leaders.
- Computer Engineering – the aim is to produce designers of embedded systems. This is a combination of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
- Bioinformatics Engineering – involves analysis of bio-data with a wide range of discipline electives eg genetics, microbiology, databases and many more.
These can all also be combined.
Medicine Selection – Assoc Professor Boaz Shulruf, Medicine Faculty
When studying Medicine you are committing to 6 years of studying, at the minimum. What is the application process about?
- To select the most appropriate applicant, not the best applicant
- To de-select unsuitable applicants
- To enhance equity upon application, selection and graduation
- To increase the diversity of medical students
- To decrease numbers of failing and struggling students.
What do we know?
- Each selection tool measures a different set of attributes
- A high mark in 1 selection tool cannot compensate for a low mark in another.
- The ATAR is a rank and therefore mathematically should not be averaged.
- Admitting an unsuitable applicant is worse than not admitting a suitable one!
Principles of the New Selection Process
- The selection for interview is based on UMAT and ATAR
- The interview captures the ‘human factor’,something that a test cannot capture
- The interview does not select nor deselect applicants to the programs, but adds important information to the process
- The interview has 2 interviewers, with a limited time and is structured. The point of it is to get to know the applicant. If you are honest you will increase your chances. Training is not recommended at all, and training can even decrease your chances.
UMAT entry is over 150 and ATAR is over 96. The top 300 are selected for interviews. They then rank students based on UMAT/ATAR/INTERVIEW and then offers are made.
Studying Psychology – Dr Jill Newby, Clinical Psychologist, UNSW Science
There are lots of different options to becoming a psychologist. At The UNSW they do an honours year as part of the undergraduate degree. At UNSW they do the Professional Masters program or combined Masters/PhD to gain registration. Students then go through a registration process. The 5 different ways of studying Psychology are:-
- B Psychology (ATAR 98)
- B Psychological Science (ATAR 87)
- B Science (ATAR 85)
- B Adv Science (ATAR 95)
- B Life Sciences (ATAR 80)
- UNSW Postgraduate degrees (APAC accredited)
- Two year coursework degree
- Four year research degree (Masters/PhD)
The Honours year is included for the B Psychology above but is optional for the other degrees.
Three main points in studying Psychology:
There is a strong focus on the scientific method.
Communication skills are needed to be strong – both written and verbal.
It is important to have a grounding in Mathematics.
A lot of study is required to become a Psychologist, at least 6 years, including 2 years of supervised practise.
Creative Futures – Dr Vaughan Rees, UNSW Art&Design
What is happening and what is new in UNSW Art&Design? What are they doing and why are they doing it? In a knowledge economy that we now have, creativity is at its all-time importance. This faculty is very future focussed. The facilities are very impressive, and visits can take place at any time. Degrees on offer for 2018 are:
- B Fine Arts (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Moving Image)
- B Design (3D Visualisation, Crafted Objects, Experience Design, Graphics, Interaction Design, Textiles). Combine it with PR/Advertising, Commerce, Education.
- B Media Arts (Animation, Digital media, Sound, Moving Image, Interactive Media). Combine this with Computer Science or Education.
- B Art Theory (Bespoke area, Contemporary Art&Design, Curatorial and Creative Spaces). This can be combined with Law or Commerce.
Open Day
This will be held on the 1st weekend in September from 9 am – 4 pm. This is the best way to find out more information about The UNSW. I strongly encourage everyone to attend Open Days. You simply cannot figure all this out by reading websites and prospectuses. You need to get on campus and feel what it is like! Doing this 2 years in a row (Year 11 and Year 12), will only help with your decision making.
ADF gap year applications open
A gap year in the Australian Defence Force is more than just a great way to try out a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force. It’s a fulfilling year of adventure, experiences, mateship, learning, leadership and travel.
Find out more – www.defencejobs.gov.au/students-and-education/gap-year/?faqCategory=1454724d-6b5c-4a69-b6fd-7ce4341b9fa4&faqTag=recruitment-process
UMAT registrations are now open
Registrations close 1 June, and the testing date is 25 July 2018.
Find out more – https://umat.acer.edu.au/
University not looking at GPA
This is a great article outlining the importance of those softer skills (communication, people skills, presentation skills and so on) which employers are placing a lot of importance on rather than University grades. Read more below.