Course and Career Chat

What we're talking about: It's nearly the end of Term 2, and I've had a lot of conversations with students lately where they've been trying to decide whether or not to drop a VCE subject that they're studying. To make an informed decision, there's a few things you need to consider - do you know what you want to do when you finish school? Is this subject a prerequisite for that course? Can you support yourself to feel more confident in the subject with some extra help? Could you look at similar courses that don't need it as a prerequisite? Is not liking the subject a clue that maybe your dream course isn't really the one you want after all? Listen up so you can consider your options and decide what will be best for you and your future. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services VTAC CourseSearch: https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/#/search  

What we're talking about: In this third part of my mini series “How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses” I'm diving into another question that I'd love for you to consider - What are you good at? I don't mean what subject you're good at (although I did talk about that in episode 102), but instead what is something that comes naturally to you that you use in your everyday life that could be applied to any career you choose? Knowing this can help you see how you can bring key parts of yourself to any role you choose to take in the future. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

What we're talking about: In this episode, I continue the mini-series on feeling confident about VCE and choosing tertiary courses. Instead of jumping straight to career titles, I encourage you to reflect on your favourite subjects and, more importantly, what you enjoy about them. This approach can provide valuable insights into courses and careers that will allow you to do more of what you actually like. 0:45 – Recap of Episode 100 and the importance of understanding VCE In the last episode I shared some episodes where I explain key aspects of VCE so that you can really understand the system you're working in. If you're stressed at all about VCE, I encourage you to go back and listen to that episode first. 2:27 – The significance of identifying your favourite subject I discuss why pinpointing your favourite subject—and what you like about it—can guide your decisions about future studies and careers. 6:00 – My personal experience with subject preferences and career choices I share my journey of loving maths but not feeling great about the typical career paths everyone was suggesting, like engineering or accounting. 9:50 – The importance of understanding what you enjoy in a subject I delve into how recognising the specific topics or skills within a subject you enjoy can open up a broader range of course and career options that will actually suit you better. I encourage you to take time to reflect on your favourite subjects and what you really like about them so that you can find courses and careers that will allow you to do more of what you like. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

What we're talking about: Thanks for joining me for the 100th episode of Course and Career Chat! This episode is Part 1 in a series I'm calling How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses, and in this episode I want you to think about what is stressing you out about VCE so that you can get your questions answered. I've created a list of past episodes of Course and Career Chat where you can find the answers to common questions I get when I'm working with my students and their parents, and if I haven't answered your question yet, please send me a DM on Instagram to let me know - I'm happy to help! Links mentioned: VCE Subjects: 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Yours: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/56 How Are ATARs Calculated?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58 ATAR Myths and Misconceptions: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/70 Should You Accelerate in VCE?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/78 What Happens If You Do An Unscored VCE or VCE-VM?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/87 All About the GAT (Updated for 2024): https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/85 How Do SACs Work in VCE?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/96 What is your VCE subject ranking?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/79 Send me a DM with any other questions you have on Instagram @roadmap_ed: https://www.instagram.com/roadmap_ed/?hl=en Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

What we're talking about: AI is everywhere at the moment, and there's a lot of discussion about how it will change jobs and career pathways. Many students (and parents) are wondering—will AI replace certain jobs? Will the careers that seem like a great option now still be relevant in 5 or 10 years? In this episode, I break down what AI actually is, the ways it's already affecting different industries, and how students can make career choices that will set them up for success in an AI-driven world. 2:40 – What is AI, and why is it such a big deal? AI is already part of our daily lives, even if we don't always realize it. I explain some of the ways we're all using AI right now (like how your phone suggests words when you text) and why it's suddenly getting so much attention in conversations about work and careers. 5:15 – My first experience using AI in my work The first time I properly used AI was to help with my podcast show notes, and I was surprised by how useful it was. It didn't replace what I do—it just made the process easier. This is exactly how AI will work in many careers: not replacing workers, but supporting them. 9:00 – AI is changing jobs, but that's nothing new Every time there's a big technological shift—whether it's the internet, automation, or now AI—some jobs change or disappear, but new ones are created. I talk about why it's important to keep an open mind and focus on developing skills that will always be valuable. 11:24 – Will AI take over jobs? This is a big worry for a lot of students, but it's important to remember that AI can handle tasks, not entire careers. The most valuable jobs in the future will be the ones that involve creativity, critical thinking, and human connection—things AI can't replicate. 15:30 – Choosing a career in an AI-driven world Instead of worrying about what jobs might disappear, students should focus on what they enjoy, what industries interest them, and where they can develop transferable skills. Universities and TAFEs are already adapting their courses to include AI, so there will be plenty of opportunities to learn how to work with it rather than against it. 19:30 – Why human skills will always matter AI might be great at processing information, but it can't replace human creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. I share why these skills will always be in demand and how students can future-proof their careers by focusing on what makes them unique. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services  

What we're talking about: Should you take a gap year after Year 12? It's a big decision, and in this episode, I break down the benefits and drawbacks of taking a year off before further study. I also share practical advice on how to keep your options open, even if you're unsure about your next steps. 1:09 Common concerns about taking a gap year I've had a lot of conversations with parents recently about whether a gap year is the right choice for their child. Many students don't know whether they should still apply for courses through VTAC, or if taking a gap year will impact their future plans. In this episode, I share my thoughts on how to approach this decision. 3:28 The benefits of taking a gap year There are plenty of good reasons to take a gap year, including: Taking a break – After 13 years of school, it makes sense to want some time off before starting further study. Travel opportunities – Exploring new places and cultures, or working overseas through programs like Camp America. Earning money – Getting a full-time job to save for university, travel, or other goals. Career exploration – Using the year to try jobs in industries you're interested in, so you get a feel for what you might want to study. 5:39 The drawbacks of taking a gap year Some students worry that if they take a gap year, they'll never go back to study. While that's not always true, there are some things to consider: Losing the study habits you've built over the years. Feeling like you're behind your friends who go straight to university. Starting uni with students who are younger and still in a “VCE mindset.” 9:54 How to keep your options open Even if you're planning to take a gap year, I strongly recommend applying for VTAC courses now and securing a spot. Most courses allow deferral, so you can take your gap year with peace of mind, knowing you have a place waiting for you. It's also much easier to do this while you still have access to school resources like career counselors and scholarship applications. 13:23 Final advice: Plan now, decide later There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to taking a gap year—it's a personal choice. But having a plan in place (even if you're unsure) will make your gap year experience smoother and more enjoyable. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

What we're talking about: 1:43 My observations around motivation as a Maths teacher I share my experience of teaching a particular class who were really focused, willing to learn, with high aspirations for their VCE results. Most people would assume that there's not much a teacher of a class like that needs to do to in terms of motivation, but what I actually found was that in the second half of the year, these students were feeling really stressed and losing motivation despite the fact that they were doing everything “right” and still doing well on their SACs. I found that by helping them have some perspective around VCE and looking ahead to something fun that they were planning for the future, I could see that it really helped them get their heads out of VCE and visibly reduced their stress. 9:58 The podcast that helped me understand the science behind my theory I happened to listen to The Imperfects podcast episode with their regular guest, Dr Emily, teaching listeners about hope. She talked about hope being made up of 3 parts - the goal, pathways (including overcoming obstacles) and agency (or the motivation to follow through to reach your goal). The way she explained it helped me understand why for many students, having a goal linked to results (eg I want to get an ATAR over 90) can be really hard to maintain. So many students with goals like that find it hard to keep going when they hit a topic they find really difficult or have a bad day on a SAC. They could no longer see how they could reach their goal, they'd lose motivation because they no longer thought just working hard would help them achieve the results they wanted, and they'd lose hope. 16:43 A Better Way to Motivate Yourself in VCE I know that working with students to help them discover what they want to do beyond school in terms of courses and careers is truly motivating. I see it with the students I work with all the time. What Dr Emily was saying about hope helped me understand why. It makes sense to me that by finding a course or career that a student is excited about, you've found a goal. The next step is to find out how they can get there, and the reality is that there are so many pathways you can take to get into any course or career. Because there are so many pathways, it makes sense that if one falls over (ie you don't get the ATAR you need), you can immediately see the next pathway. So now not getting the ATAR you need is an obstacle that can be overcome. Students can still have hope of reaching their goal because they can change the pathway and still achieve it. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services The Imperfects Podcast with Dr Emily on Hope: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/podcasts/dr-emily-hope/

What we're talking about: Let's talk about how SACs work in VCE so that you know what they are, how they're used, and to bust some of the misconceptions around them that often come up throughout the year so that you can feel really confident as you move through VCE. 1:32 What is a SAC? Throughout your time at school from prep through to Year 12, you do different types of assessment. SAC stands for School Assessed Coursework and it's called that because it is one of the assessment types that is used to calculate your study score for your VCE subjects, but it is written by your teachers and completed through your school (as opposed to the external exams at the end of Unit 3&4 subjects written by VCAA). You can find out how many SACs you'll do for each subject and how each SAC will look by looking at the study design for the subject on the VCAA website. 4:35 How do you find out your SAC results? Different schools will report back differently. Some schools will give you an actual percentage mark for each SAC. Others might use a grade or a descriptor to give you an idea of how well you've done. These marks are not what is submitted to VCAA - your teachers will rank all the students for a subject based on their results in their SACs, and then these will be scaled up or down depending on how your cohort of students do on the external exam at the end of the year. The most important part of your SAC if you're aiming to do really well in VCE is to make sure you understand where you didn't get some of the marks and what you needed to do differently to get full marks on those questions. That will help you prepare for the next SAC and also for your end of year exams. 7:47 How are SAC results used? When you get your study scores at the end of the year, you'll be able to see the grades you got for your overall SAC results (which might be split into Unit 3 and Unit 4, or might be put together as one SAC result) and then a grade or grades for your end of year exam(s) for that subject. Your SAC result may be higher or lower than you expected based on the feedback you got from your school throughout the year. This is because of the scaling that happens, and it has to happen to make sure that the SACs at one school are treated as being equivalent in difficulty to the SACs at another school. This is why you shouldn't get too focused on your SAC results throughout the year other than learning from them - see the podcast episode “What is Your VCE Subject Ranking?” linked below for more information. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Free Download - The Parents' Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide How are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58 What is Your VCE Subject Ranking? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/79

What we're talking about: This episode is all about explaining how VCE works and translating the jargon around VCE so that you can understand it more clearly and feel more confident supporting your child. Grab the free download The Parents' Guide to VCE to have on hand (https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide), and listen up as I clarify what the key organisations like VCAA and VTAC do, what all the acronyms mean, and tell you what you need to focus on and what you can ignore as white noise. 5:22 What does VCAA stand for and what do they do? The VCAA is the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. They set the curriculum for schools in Victoria from early childhood through to VCE (including creating VCE study designs), organise the external exams at the end of Unit 3 and 4 subjects, and calculate a student's study scores for their subjects. 7:00 What is VTAC and what do they do? VTAC is the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre and they facilitate the transition between high school and tertiary education. They get students raw study scores from VCAA, use them to calculate students' ATARs, and manage the offer process for tertiary institutions. Keep an eye on their website for important dates for VTAC applications and offers, and also for all of the University and TAFE Open Days (links below) 8:15 What is VCE? VCE stands for Victorian Certificate of Education, and it is the secondary qualification for students in Victoria. It now includes the VCE - Vocational Major which has replaced VCAL and allows students to explore vocational studies as part of their secondary education. 9:50 What is a SAC? SAC stands for School Assessed Coursework. They are set out by the VCAA in the subject study designs which can be accessed on the VCAA website, and a student's ranking after all of the SACs are completed in a subject is used as part of the calculation of the study score for the subject. Not all assessment completed in Year 12 is a SAC. 11:49 What is a study score? A study score is the result that students get for each of the Unit 3&4 subjects they complete. It is a number out of 50 and it's a ranking showing where you sit compared to everyone else who completed that subject in the same year. VCAA calculates the raw study score for each student, and then study scores are scaled depending on how well each cohort of students has done well across all of their subjects to be used in the calculation of each student's ATAR. 14:38 What is an ATAR? ATAR stands for Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank and it is a ranking showing how well each student did in VCE compared to all other students who completed VCE in the same year. The highest ATAR a student can get is 99.95, which means that they're in the top 0.05% of the state. It only exists because it is the most efficient way for students to get an offer into (a lot of) university and TAFE courses. It is not the only way of getting into tertiary courses, and as a society we need to stop giving it so much power. 17:28 What is SEAS? SEAS stands for Special Entry Access Scheme and it is the way that students can get extra points added to their selection rank if they have had any type of disadvantage in VCE compared to their peers, such as financial difficulties, health issues and other difficult circumstances. The focus of a SEAS application is how the issue has affected the student's ability to perform at their best in VCE. A SEAS application will only ever be used to your child's advantage. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Free Download - The Parents' Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide How are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58 What Happens If You Do An Unscored VCE or VCE-VM? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/87 VTAC dates: https://vtac.edu.au/dates.html University and TAFE Open Days (Please note that at the time of publishing this page still has dates from 2024, but it will be updated closer to July 2025): https://vtac.edu.au/opendays.html?highlight=WyJvcGVuIiwiZGF5cyJd

What we're talking about: After working with parents first as a teacher and now as a career counsellor, and now being a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to navigate that line between allowing your child to have their independence and also wanting to support them as best you can. In this episode I share how you can best support your child through the decision making process around VCE subject selection, tertiary course exploration and applying through VTAC. 2:01 Where is the responsibility? Knowing where your responsibility for your child's studies ends and theirs begins is a bit of a grey area and really depends on the individual child. I give you some ideas of how you can support your child academically during VCE, but you know your child best, and you know what will help your child feel supported and what will just annoy them. 7:15 What do you need as a parent? When I've worked with parents in the past both as a teacher and now as a career counsellor, I know that the reason parents are concerned about school for their children is because they want the best for their kids. One thing that can really help, is lowering your own stress levels around VCE by understanding as much as you need about the VCE systems and VTAC processes. In this way, you're not as worried because you know what's going on and have the information you need, and you don't need to hassle your child about it. If your child then is on track and gets the results they want and is confident about applying for courses, then that's great. However, if they do get stressed further down the track, you are empowered to support them with concrete information. 10:00 How I help the parents I work with There are a few ways that I can support parents who have children in VCE. I have a free download called The Parents' Guide to VCE (link below) where you can get a better understanding of the acronyms and jargon around VCE and the school system. When I'm working with a student, in most cases I'm originally contacted by the parent, and we have a conversation on the phone where I found out more about their perspective of where their child is at, and then answer all their questions to help them feel comfortable with the VCE system and the VTAC process. I also offer single sessions with parents where we can go a bit deeper into pathways for your child, and I'm currently working on a package for parents where you end up with a similar report to what families get when I work with the student, where I outline a range of courses that will suit your child, including pathways and other relevant information like early entry programs and campus accommodation. Please reach out via my website or Instagram if you're interested. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Do You Need a Tutor or a Career Counsellor?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/76 The Parents' Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/parents-guide

What we're talking about: 1:40 What you can do if your measure of success in VCE is to get the best ATAR you can Using a planner to keep on track, creating a study timetable, using a calendar to keep track of SACs, extracurricular activities and your casual job if you have one. Work out how you will get help when you need it eg homework club at school or getting a tutor (see the link to an episode below where I talk about how to choose the right tutor for you). Choosing the “right” subjects - some people will think this means choosing subjects that scale up, I think the right subjects for you are the ones that suit you best so that you will lean into your strengths and not have as much trouble finding the motivation to study. 6:21 Why I don't think that getting a good ATAR should be your only measure of success in VCE. If your only measure of success in VCE is to get a really good ATAR, you are going to spend a lot of time over the next two years feeling stressed out, feeling inadequate if you're not ranked first in the subjects you want to rank first in for example or if you're not doing as well on SACs as you think that you might. If that's your only measure of success in VCE you are setting yourself up for a pretty awful couple of years. Two years of stress is too much as far as I'm concerned. There's a difference between little pockets of stress the night before a SAC, and being completely stressed out for 2 years. 7:26 Your measure of success in VCE could be having a really great couple of years. Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities your school has to offer, including extracurricular activities like sport, drama, music and debating, as well as fun activities like the school formal. 8:30 How can we reframe the importance of your ATAR and it being a measure of success. The only reason that an ATAR exists is because it's the most efficient way to get into a course. That's it. Getting an amazing ATAR and having no idea what you want to do, that's very short-lived success. And I know that because that's what I did. I got the great ATAR, I got into the course that I thought I wanted, spent two and a half years in it being miserable until I changed my plans, and went back to wanting to be a teacher. I worked out how to do that and had an amazing career as a teacher. But getting that good ATAR was not what got me there. The plan was what got me to where I wanted, and successfully into a career that I really enjoyed. Really what I want you to think about is what success in VCE looks like to you, and what you can do to have a really great couple of years AND set yourself up for having many many fun, exciting years after VCE as well. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Do You Need a Tutor or a Career Counsellor?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/76

What we're talking about: An Instagram post from @biglifejournal prompted this episode. The story they shared about how parents supported a child in her dream of becoming a mermaid, in the process helping her learn fantastic life skills including how to reach her goals, made me think about how we are likely to dismiss teens when they come to us with ideas about their future career. 1:23 The post that inspired this episode Check out the link below to see the post that I'm referencing here. It involves the story of a child who says she wants to be a mermaid, and parents who respond by encouraging her to learn to swim and sing as these are things that mermaids are good at. They teach her how to set goals and work towards her dreams, which are life skills that will set her up the future, no matter what she decides to do. 4:00 How this relates to teenagers I think adults can be quite dismissive of teenagers' career goals and plans for the future when they don't think it's the “right choice”, and not only is this not helpful, but it's a missed opportunity to be more curious about why they chose that career to begin with. I share a story about being dismissed as a teen and how unhelpful it was in my career journey. 6:50 How we can be more curious with students It makes sense that students might latch onto a career they've heard of from somewhere, because they've been focussed on studying all year and all of a sudden need to make some sort of choice about their next step. What we can do as adults is be curious to find out why they have chosen a particular career, and then use their responses to dig a bit deeper and maybe even discover other similar options where they can pursue their interests and lean into their talents and skills. 10:50 Why I like discussing courses more than careers One thing I think makes more sense, particularly with teenagers, is to focus on the next step rather than the final career goal. This means that they can zone in on what they like to do, what interests they want to explore, and what skills they would like to develop, and it gives them more time to discover different careers and roles that they will be able to access with their qualification. With new jobs being created all the time, this also means they will be open to new careers that don't exist yet but will be available to them once they finish their degree. 14:30 What this means for creative careers I see most adults being dismissive of students who want to work in a creative field, because they're worried about the job prospects. While this may be a valid concern, I think it's important to start by being curious and looking deeper into the opportunities available. When students are allowed to explore, they can find out about the wider range of careers related to the one they initially thought of, and they can get a more accurate picture of what a career in this field looks like. With this information, they can make an informed decision for themselves,, rather than dismissing it because “people say there are no jobs in that”. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services The Instagram post from @biglifejournal that sparked this episode: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFki0WQu3wv/?hl=en&img_index=1 25 Ways to Explore Careers: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/explore

What we're talking about: Do Year 11 results matter? Are they used to calculate your ATAR? Are my SACs in Year 11 important? It's the start of the new school year, and when you're new to the VCE system, it can be hard to understand how it all works. In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I'm answering your questions about what's important in Year 11 so you know what to focus on. 2:23 VCE terminology I want to differentiate between the language we often use and the specific VCE language. Make sure you know the difference between Year 11, Year 12, Units 1&2, and Units 3&4, because what is relevant here is whether you're talking about Units 1&2 or Units 3&4, not Year 11 or Year 12. 4:51 Do my Unit 1&2 subjects matter? Only your Unit 3&4 subjects will count towards your ATAR. However, you need to pass VCE to get an ATAR as well. In Units 1&2, it's important that you receive an S for each unit (which means that you've satisfactorily met the outcomes as outlined by VCAA in the study design for the subject (see link below). Listen to this part to find out all the ways you can get an S for a unit outside of just passing a SAC. 8:54 Why else can Units 1&2 be important? In some subjects, you need the foundational skills and knowledge from Units 1&2 to do well in Units 3&4. In contrast, there are other subjects where the content is very different in Units 3&4. These are traditionally the subjects where your school will allow you to accelerate without doing Units 1&2. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services VCE study designs: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx How are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58

What we're talking about: What if you don't know what university or TAFE course, or what career you want to pursue? I work with heaps of high school students who either have no idea yet what they want to do, or who want to do EVERYTHING and need help narrowing it down. Here are some ways you can start to work it out. 2:56 Talk to people The people who know you best, like your parents or friends, will likely have some insights into what you might be good at, or how you can pursue a career where you can do more of the things you like to do. Alternatively, you can talk to people about the work that they do so that you can make a decision one way or another about whether you're interested in this particular job. You can also talk to the teachers of the subjects you like about what types of courses and careers their subject could lead to. A career counsellor will also have insights into particular courses that would suit you, or could put you in contact with past students who can tell you about what they're doing. You could also listen to past episodes of this podcast to hear students' perspectives of particular websites. 7:41 Check out unis and TAFEs Check out exactly what some of the unis or TAFEs have to offer by looking at their websites. You can often filter a search so that you're looking at subject areas that interest you, and then you can read about courses and google the job titles that they list on course pages to get a better sense of where the course could lead. You can also visit a uni or TAFE you're interested in. Go to an Open Day, or if you've missed them and need to make a decision sooner, contact them and see if you can join a tour, or just turn up and walk around the campus to get a sense of what it's like. 10:29 Do some work experience You probably did/will do work experience in Year 10, but you can do more than one work experience placement (even if you have to do a second or third placement in the school holidays). You can still do work experience if you're in Year 11 or 12, or even if you've finished Year 12. Speak to your career counsellor to see if they have any contacts you could speak to about doing a work placement, or look up local businesses and see if they'd be happy to have you come in. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

What we're talking about: Exams are just about over, and now you've shifted to looking at your VTAC preference list and wondering what ATAR you might get. Lots of students are asking about ATAR calculators and which one they should use. Let's have a look at how you can best work out your ATAR. 1:33 How hard is it to work out what ATAR you might get? Guessing your ATAR is really difficult because your ATAR is a ranking, based on your study scores, which are also rankings. See Episode 58 (linked below) to get a really clear understanding of how your ATAR would be calculated. There are a couple of ways you may be able to get an idea (eg if you have a sibling who went to the same school doing the same subjects and you perform very similarly academically, or your teachers might have an idea if they're very experienced) however I explain why even these guesses aren't super accurate. 10:00 What is an ATAR calculator? A quick google search will tell you that there are heaps of ATAR calculators to choose from, and nearly all of them will be advertised as the most accurate one. To use an ATAR calculator, you need to guess each of your study scores, and then it will use an algorithm to decide what ATAR it thinks you will get. The problem here is that it's really hard to guess your study scores, and then your ATAR is a ranking, not a straight calculation. While the algorithm might come close, without accurate study scores it's really not going to give you a good indication of what ATAR you might get. So which ATAR calculator should you use? None of them. 13:43 What should you do instead? Instead of trying to guess your ATAR, do some more research around courses so that you can include your dream course or courses, but then also find other courses that you'd be just as happy to do, or that can be used as a pathway into your dream course. Create a great VTAC preference list, and keep the extra information in your desk drawer in case you want to make some changes to your preference list in the change of preference period. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services How are ATARs calculated?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58

What we're talking about: I'm talking to anyone who is choosing and finalising their VCE subjects, and I'm answering the question “How many VCE subjects should I do?” 2:13 How many VCE subjects do you need to get an ATAR? According to VCAA, you have to do an English subject, and then at least 3 other VCE subjects (so 4 VCE subjects in total). Most schools will have their own rules about what they expect their students to do, but officially, you only need to complete 4 VCE subjects. 3:54 How will your ATAR be calculated? See the episode linked below that goes through this in detail, but understanding how your ATAR will be calculated is important when you're weighing up how many subjects you need to do. The important part for today's discussion, is that the main part of your ATAR is calculated from your English result, your next top 3 results, and then 10% of a 5th subject and 6th subject if you do it. 5:57 Should you do a 6th VCE subject? Knowing how your ATAR is calculated, I have some questions for you to consider if you're trying to decide whether or not to do a 6th subject. Is it a prerequisite? Is it something you're really interested in? Is it very different to your other subjects so it will help you feel more balanced in Year 12? 7:42 Don't do a 6th VCE subject to try to get a better ATAR Yes, it's true that you will get 10% of your 6th subject added to your aggregate. But what's the cost of doing that subject? Will doing that subject mean that you don't have as much time to focus on your other subjects? If that's the case, then you could actually end up with a lower aggregate and ATAR than if you had just completed 5 subjects and scored higher in those subjects. Listen as I explain it using calculations to make it more clear. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services How Are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58

What we're talking about: If you're trying to decide whether you want to do a scored VCE, unscored VCE or VCE-Vocational Major (VM), then listen up! In this episode I'll explain the implications of choosing each type in terms of what happens when you want to apply to TAFE or university. 1:57 What's the difference between a scored and an unscored VCE? If you do a scored VCE, then you'll get an ATAR that you can use to apply to university and TAFE courses. There might be other criteria, but most Bachelor degrees require an ATAR, so doing a scored VCE is the most efficient way of getting into one of these courses. How an unscored VCE works may differ depending on which school you go to, but it essentially means that you won't get study scores for your subjects or an ATAR at the end of the year. 3:47 Is an unscored VCE new? Most parents haven't heard of an unscored VCE because it was very rare when we were at school. When students were kept at home during lockdowns throughout the pandemic, more students chose to do an unscored VCE because of the anxiety they were feeling about not being in the classroom. Since students have been back at school full time, the number of students doing an unscored VCE has decreased but it's not back to what it was before covid, so while a minority of students are choosing to do an unscored VCE, it's a larger minority than most parents would think. 4:40 Do all courses require an ATAR? While the vast majority of Bachelor degrees require an ATAR as part of the selection criteria, not all do. You can find Bachelor degrees that only require completion of Year 12 and maybe a prerequisite subject. There are also Diplomas and TAFE courses that don't require an ATAR. 5:38 If you do an unscored VCE, you can look at pathways into Bachelor degrees If you don't have an ATAR, there are still other ways that you can do a Bachelor degree at university if you want to. Listen up to hear more about guaranteed pathways, recommended pathways and why I think RMIT and Swinburne are great options for you if you need a pathway into a course. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services How ATARs are calculated?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58

What we're talking about: 2:16 A note for parents about prerequisites If you finished high school a while ago, you need to know that the prerequisites for courses have changed dramatically since we were applying to university. We've seen an increase in mental health issues, anxiety and comparison for today's students, and this has led to less students choosing what some people call “harder” subjects. A lot of universities have jumped on board and changed their prerequisites to match what students are actually choosing. So my message to you is to look at what the prerequisites actually are instead of making assumptions about what subjects your child will need to do to be eligible for certain courses. 6:10 Should you do subjects like Specialist Maths? If you love the subject, want a challenge and want to explore the particular topics within a subject, then yes, absolutely! If you're only choosing it because you think you need it, and you are worried about how you're going to cope in VCE and how you'll balance the workload, then double check the prerequisites for the types of courses you're looking at and make an informed choice about whether you need to do it or not. 8:10 If I haven't studied subjects that used to be prerequisites, how will that impact me later on? When universities change the prerequisites for a course, they will adapt the course to suit the new prerequisites. For example, they'll take the content out of the VCE subject that traditionally they would have expected students to know, and they add it into the course. For a lot of students, this is a better way to do it because they no longer have the stress of VCE and ATARs over them as their learning more difficult topics. 10:40 Why do some universities still have the “harder” subjects as prerequisites? The more prestigious universities often have higher ATAR requirements and prerequisites for their courses, and this is because their courses are in high demand and they need a way to distinguish between the students applying for the course. It doesn't necessarily make the course better. Employers are much more interested in which applicants can show that they are capable of doing the work, so it's more important to find courses that allow students to do internships or placements and engage with the industry they'll be working in. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services VCE Subjects: 5 Things to Consider When Choosing Yours - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/56

What we're talking about: 0:00 Updates for 2024 This episode is an update of Episode 60 that I recorded last year all about the GAT. Nothing has changed except that I mentioned VCAL last year but you can ignore that now (I also mention VCE and VCE Vocational Major, so everyone's covered). 2:05 What does the GAT look like Understanding the format of the GAT can help you feel more comfortable as you walk into the test on the day. I explain what the 2 sections are so you know what to expect in terms of the content and the way it's all set out. I also mention who needs to to what section depending on your individual circumstances and whether you're doing VCE or VCE Vocational Major. 5:20 What is the GAT used for? The GAT will only ever be used to give you a positive benefit. It can be used to check that the SACs at your school for a particular subject as a whole have been moved high enough to more accurately reflect how difficult they were compared to the SACs at other schools. From a personal point of you, it can be used to check if your exam for a particular subject should be marked again if your GAT result suggests that your exam result should have been higher. It can also be used to help calculate a derived score in the rare case when you may not have been able to sit a SAC or external exam. Your results will only ever be increased because of your GAT results. 11:45 Should you study for the GAT? Hopefully by understanding the format of the GAT, you can see that there's not a specific curriculum that you need to learn to prepare for the GAT. You might feel better and more prepared if you have seen what the questions might look like and what the cover page will look like. See the links below if you're interested in doing that. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Blog post: What is the GAT?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/roadmapblog/gat GAT cover pages: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/index.aspx GAT overview: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/GATOverview.aspx

What we're talking about: 1:11 What is Engineering? Most students who are into Maths and Science have heard the suggestion that they should look at Engineering, but what even is it? Check out the episodes I've linked below to hear students and recent graduates talk about their course and what their day looks like if they're already working as an Engineer. Engineers create and build solutions to problems in a whole range of areas, and they use different calculations, methods and materials to solve the problems in the most efficient way. 3:17 What type of Engineering should you do? Different universities will offer different specialisations, including Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Software and Robotics and Mechatronics. Think about what type of science you like at school and see what specialisation would use that science the most, and if you're not sure, Google the different types to find out more. If you're still not sure, you don't need to stress - most courses have a common first year so that you can get a foundation in Engineering to start with and get a taste of the different types before you decide which pathway you want to follow. 6:16 What should you look at in a Bachelor of Engineering? Are you more academic? Or would you prefer to take things apart and see how it works? Engineering courses will all have a bit of both, but make sure you choose a course that allows you to lean into whichever type of learning you prefer. As always, you should also look at the placements or internships that are available within the course so that you can see what it's actually like to work as an Engineer while you're still studying, as well as building a network, learning heaps and potentially landing a graduate position with them when you finish your course. 9:27 If you're considering Engineering, what else could you look at? There are lots of courses that are similar to Engineering in some way. If you like the idea of building and designing things, you could consider Architecture or Design. If you're interested in the Health field you could look at Biomedical Science or Biotechnology. If you like the idea of Software Engineering, then Information Technology or Computer Science might interest you. Aviation or Space Science are worth looking at if you're interested in Aerospace Engineering. Make sure you check out these other courses too so that you can choose the one that suits you best. Another option that is particularly in demand at the moment is Cybersecurity. If you want to find out more, I have two episodes about Cybersecurity that you could listen to (see the links below). Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Other episodes about Engineering: Electronic Engineering and Cybersecurity - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/71 Cybersecurity - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/51 Biomedical Engineering and Medicine - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/4 Robotics and Mechatronics - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/11 Software Engineering - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/15 Architecture - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/35 Civil Engineering - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/53 Heavy Vehicle Diesel Mechanic - http://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/63

What we're talking about: 1:16 What do you need to do to become a psychologist? If you're interested in becoming a psychologist, you need to do quite a bit of study including an undergraduate degree that is accredited by APAC (the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council). So as you're looking at courses, if there's any chance you'd like to become a psychologist later, check that the ones you're looking at are accredited so that you're on the right path. 3:05 What is it that you like about psychology? Are you interested in the anatomy of the brain and the biology related to psychology, or do you look forward more to the topics related to human behaviour and mental illness? While all accredited courses will cover both, make sure the course you end up choosing gives you an opportunity to really focus on the areas of psychology you really like. 4:55 Other options to consider If you like psychology but you know you don't want to become a psychologist, there are other options you can consider. Behavioural science, counselling or marketing are good examples of these. I also mention two courses at Deakin that focus on marketing and human resources respectively from a psychology perspective, and they're also accredited so you can pursue further study in psychology later if you choose (see links below). Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) at Deakin University - https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-marketing-psychology Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology) at Deakin University - https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-human-resource-management-psychology Previous episodes related to Psychology: Arts and Psychology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/34 Psychology and Behaviour Therapy - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/19 Criminology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/10 Psychological Studies - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/7

What we're talking about: 2:50 Don't assume you know what you can study in Bachelor Science I did all maths and science subjects in VCE, and never even considered a Bachelor of Science. Why? Because I felt like I wasn't that good at Chemistry or Physics, and I didn't realise that I could do a Bachelor of Science and major in Maths or something similar (which was clearly my strength and something I loved to explore). Don't make assumptions - check the majors so you know what a course is actually about so you can make an informed decision. 5:23 What types of majors can you study in a Bachelor of Science If you're considering a Bachelor of Science, you really want to check what majors are offered at the university you're looking at to see if they focus on the types of areas you're interested in. Start by asking yourself questions about what you already know you like. What science subject at school do you like best? What topics do you like within that subject? If you're not sure, hop onto the websites for the different unis and read through the majors offered to see which one has a couple of majors that you could see yourself studying, and then explore them in your first year before you choose which one to focus on. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Previous episodes related to Science: Laboratory Medicine - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/61 Laboratory Assistant - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/55 Food Science - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/50 Science and Baking - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/48 Science Advanced - Global Challenges and Palaeontology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/47 Science and Global Studies - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/31 Forensic Science - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/28 Pharmaceutical Science - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/23 Science, Arts, Sustainability and Meteorology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/22 Pharmacy and Audiology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/20 Geology and Scientific Research - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/18 Science and Veterinary Medicine - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/13

What we're talking about: 1:33 What is a Bachelor of Arts? Don't confuse “Art” with “Arts”! While the subject Art at school involves things like painting and drawing, a Bachelor of Arts is more about humanities and exploring ideas through a particular perspective. Some people are reluctant to pursue a Bachelor of Arts because they think it won't lead anywhere, however if you look at the majors within the course, there are heaps of things you can study within a Bachelor of Arts that very clearly leads to a particular job or career. 6:42 What if you don't know what you want to do in your career? If you don't know yet what you want to do in your career, that's totally normal and completely fine. I firmly believe that if you're passionate about something and keep learning and networking in that area, opportunities will become available to you. I give a couple of examples of people who studied Arts and didn't know where it was going to take them, including Ash Barty's mindset coach, Ben Crowe. 8:56 A Bachelor of Arts works really well as part of a double degree A fantastic way to explore a greater range of areas, round out your education and have more to talk about in job interviews is to combine Arts with another degree. 10:51 The majors that are offered are important A Bachelor of Arts at 2 different universities can look completely different, so make sure you take a look at what's offered so you can choose the right one for you. I go through some of the majors offered at The University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, Swinburne and Deakin to give you an idea of what your Bachelor of Arts could look like depending on where you choose to study. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com   Previous episodes related to Arts: Anthropology and Human Rights: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/45 Speech Pathology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/39 Arts and Psychology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/34 Politics, Philosophy, Economics, Arts and Law - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/26 Science, Arts, Sustainability and Meteorology - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/22 Teacher, Tutor, Entrepreneur - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/21 Arts and Law - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/16 Communications (Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising and Media) - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/3

What we're talking about: 1:37 The difference between a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce While the words Business and Commerce are often used interchangeably, the two courses can be quite distinct. Find out what the focus of each degree usually is to help you decide whether Business or Commerce is right for you. Most importantly, make sure you look at what you can major in for each of the courses you're looking at so that you know whether it has your area of interest. 4:40 What prerequisites do you need for Business or Commerce? In the past, you often needed a Maths subject as a prerequisite for Business and Commerce, but that's no longer always the case, so if you haven't studied Maths in VCE there are definitely options out there for you. It's also worth noting that subjects like Accounting, Economics and Business Management are not prerequisites for these courses, however you may get a subject adjustment if you do well in them which could boost your selection rank. 6:50 What should you look for in a Bachelor of Business or Commerce? You should definitely look for courses that have a placement or internship as part of your course. These types of experiences give you the opportunity to see what it's actually like to work in your chosen area, as well as giving you great networking opportunities, referees for your CV and potentially even a graduate position at the end of your course. 8:23 Other courses to consider Ever wondered why some places offer a Bachelor of Business or Commerce and a Bachelor of Accounting, for example? Find out why you might like to choose the more general Business or Commerce courses, or what circumstances might lead you to choose the more specific degrees. Business and Commerce degrees also complement other areas of study really well, so definitely take a look at the double degrees that are available. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Previous episodes related to Business and Commerce: Fashion Marketing - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/43 Business (Professional) - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/30 Property and Real Estate - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/8 Commerce and Teaching - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/5 Communications (Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising and Media) - https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/3

What we're talking about: 1:45 What is a VCE subject ranking? Find out what a VCE subject ranking actually is, and how it is used to help calculate your study score for the subject, which in turn is used to calculate your ATAR. 6:49 Why is your subject ranking not as important as you think? Now that you know what it is, I want you to forget about it. Because no matter how much you worry about your subject ranking, where you're ranked for a particular VCE subject is not something you can control. 9:26 What can you control in VCE? Instead of stressing about your ranking, let's look at what you can control - how well you use each SAC to prepare for the next one. In VCE you need to know the content, but you also need to know how to present your answers in the way that the VCE examiners expect you to. Focus on this instead and your ranking will take care of itself. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com VCE Study Designs: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx

What we're talking about: A lot of students are being encouraged to accelerate in VCE - that is, do Units 3&4 of a VCE subject early in Year 11 rather than waiting until Year 12. It can be great for some students and make life difficult for others, so let's look at how it works and what the benefits and drawbacks are. 1:47 What is accelerating in VCE? 2:39 Is it a disadvantage to not do Units 1&2 of a VCE subject? Usually, no. Most subjects that are offered for acceleration are ones where the Unit 1&2 topics are very different to those covered in Units 3&4. 4:37 Advantages of accelerating in VCE 1) You get a chance to see what it's like to do a Unit 3&4 subject, including doing external exams, before you do the rest of your subjects. 2) You get a subject done and out of the way early, and that may mean that you're allowed to do less subjects as a Year 12 student and have a study period instead. 8:48 Disadvantages of accelerating in VCE 1) You might focus too much on the Unit 3&4 subject to the detriment of your Unit 1&2 subjects, which will make it harder for you the following year. 2) It can extend the anxiety of VCE beyond the one year of Year 12. 3) In accelerating, you may at some point have missed content (either by missing Units 1&2 or before then if the acceleration started earlier), and therefore not do as well as if you had just worked through the subject sequentially without skipping a year. 13:20 For Year 11s already accelerating Use the Term 1 break to make sure you're putting equal time and energy across all of your subjects and not putting everything into the Unit 3&4 subject. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com VCAA study designs: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx

What we're talking about: It's the last week of Term 1! I know you're tired, but if you can spend a little bit of time doing these 3 things during the holidays, you'll thank yourself later. 2:12 Prepare for your SEAS application SEAS stands for Special Entry Access Scheme and is part of your VTAC application, so you can't actually apply until later in the year. However, you might need a statement of support from someone who can explain how your circumstances have created an educational disadvantage for you, like a doctor, psychologist, teacher, social worker, etc. If you think you might need a statement from someone later, work out who that might be, and discuss it with them now so that they know what to do when you're ready to submit your application. 9:34 Start thinking about what you might like to do next year You don't need to make a decision yet, but start thinking about how you will get the information you need so that you can make an informed decision later. Can you talk to a teacher or career counsellor? Can you look at uni and TAFE websites or industry organisation websites to get some ideas? Can you speak to someone in the community or the parents/siblings of a friend about the work they do so you can learn more about it? Have you checked out past episodes of this podcast to see if there's one about a course or career that interests you? 14:36 Make a shortlist of places you'd like to study By narrowing down the list, you can be aware of the Open Days that you're most interested in and sign up for newsletters as a prospective student so that you don't miss any extra opportunities to find out more about the courses they offer. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: It's nearly the end of Term 1 and everyone is reaching out asking for tutors. But do you really need one? How do you know? And is career counselling a better alternative for you. Let's break it down and work out what would actually solve the problem you're finding yourself in. 3:18 Questions to help you decide what you need There are 2 questions I want you to think about to help you decide if you're better off with a tutor, a career counsellor, or even an entirely different type of support. 1) Do you think you need a tutor for one subject, or with 3 or 4 of your subjects? 2) Do you know specifically what you need help with? Your responses to these questions give a good indication of the problem you're actually trying to solve by getting a tutor. 7:52 What type of tutor would suit you best? Should you get help from someone who recently completed VCE and did really well in the subject, or are you better off getting help from a qualified teacher? It depends on what you actually need help with. 12:16 Why a career counsellor could be a better option Find out how I work with students, and how career counselling could benefit you if you are feeling generally overwhelmed with your subjects or lacking motivation. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Find out more about working with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services  

What we're talking about: As a student I always left studying for English to last, and as a result it was always my worst subject…until I was in Year 12. The fact is, it's really important to prioritise VCE English if you want to do well in VCE, and there are a couple of reasons why: Your result in English (or Literature, or English Language, or EAL) WILL be used in the calculation of your ATAR. If you're not sure how ATARs are calculated, I give you a brief recap in this episode, but check out Episode 58 (link below) to understand how it all works. A study score of at least 20 or 25 in English is a prerequisite for nearly all Bachelor degrees. Yes, there is always another way to get where you want to go, but the quickest route is to get the ATAR and prerequisite study scores necessary to be considered. If English is not your best subject, what should you do? I'm not an English teacher, but listen up if you want to hear what worked for me and what I've seen work for other students. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com How are ATARs Calculated? https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58

What we're talking about: Listen up to find out exactly how VTAC offers work so you can make the best decisions for yourself over the next few weeks. 1:00 You can only receive one offer per round Don't wait to see how many you get 1:33 You will get your VTAC offer 2 ways - through your VTAC account and via email from the uni or tafe 1:48 ALWAYS accept the offer You may not get another offer, so accept this one and get your foot in the door. If you get another offer later on, you can accept the new one and go back and reject the initial one. Follow all the instructions in the email to accept the offer, including enrolling in the course if that's what they tell you to do (you will still be able to withdraw before the census date after Semester One begins next year). 3:45 What to do if you don't receive an offer Check the VTAC website to check if the courses you have listed on your preference list make offers in the December round (not all courses do). Change your preferences to make sure that you have a handful of courses listed on your preference list where you have definitely met all the entry requirements (including having an ATAR that is well above last year's lowest selection rank where applicable). Opt in to supplementary offers (see below) 5:57 What to do if you have received an offer Accept the offer If the offer is for your dream course, go and celebrate. If you would prefer an offer for a different course, still accept the offer, but then move the course you got the offer for to your 8th preference (or at least below all the courses on your list you're actually interested in) so that you're eligible to get an offer for one of the courses listed above it. 7:56 Supplementary offers If you don't receive an offer in the December round, make sure you have ticked the box to give permission for VTAC to release your information to the institutions so they can contact you directly from the second round in January to make an offer directly to you. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: 0:47 VCE results pep talk If you got the results you were hoping for…congratulations! Make sure you celebrate your achievement. If you're upset about your results, it's ok that you're feeling that way, and I want to give you some perspective to get you back on track. 4:58 Should you rethink your preference list now you have your results? Unless you honestly initially chose your preferences because you didn't believe you would get an ATAR high enough to get into your dream course, if you got a higher ATAR than expected, you probably shouldn't change your preferences. 7:20 Your results are no one else's business You don't have to talk about your results if you don't want to. If you want to share, go for it. If you don't want to, just tell people you're happy with them and move on.  8:17 How to make sure you get an offer this round Check that you have the subject requirements for all of the courses on your preference list. If you have courses there where you haven't met the subject prerequisites, take them off your list because you will not get an offer for those courses. When it comes to selection ranks, remember that the ones listed on the VTAC website are from last year. It's a good indication of what it will be this year but it can change slightly. It's ok to have courses on your preference list that have a higher selection rank than your ATAR, but make sure you have at least one course on your preference list with a lowest selection rank lower than your ATAR to maximise your chances of getting an offer in this round. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roadmap_ed/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roadmapeducation  

What we're talking about: Exams are over! Results will be out very soon. What should you do between now and then to take the pressure off your results and make sure you get started on your dream career path. 2:41 - You will only get one offer per round There are several rounds of offers, and each round you can only get at most one offer. This offer will be for the highest course on your preference list where you've met all the entry requirements and there's space in the course for you. It's also important to know that most offers are made in the first two rounds (in December and the first round in January) so you want to maximise your chances of getting an offer in those rounds. 4:21 - Make sure you put the courses on your list in preference order This is because you only get one offer per round, so you want to make sure this offer is for the one you most want to do where you've met all the entry requirements and there's space in the course for you. Forget about ATAR requirements when you are putting your preferences in order. Instead, focus on your priorities and choose the courses that match your priorities best. 7:15 - Work out what the pathways are to get into your dream course If you're worried about not getting the ATAR or selection rank you need to get into your dream course, look at similar courses somewhere else, or similar courses at the same university so that you can apply to transfer into your dream course later. If you're worried about not getting the study score you need to meet the subject requirement for your dream course, research now what the particular university recommends in this scenario eg is there a different course they recommend you apply for, and then complete a particular first year subject to meet the requirement before applying to transfer into your dream course. 10:52 - Why do this research now? Having this information now will take the pressure off results day (because you'll already know how you can end up in your dream course no matter what happens), and gives you more space and time to get this information than you'll have in the couple of days between getting your results and change of preference closing ready for the December round of offers. You can either use this information to set up your preference list now so that you don't have to change them at all once you have your results, or you can put this information on your desk and refer back to it once you have your results if you need to. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: In this episode, I'm chatting with Bo who initially worked as an electronic engineer in China and Australia before pivoting into cybersecurity. She discusses the similarities and differences between the two industries, the skills that she believes will hold you in good stead working in cybersecurity, the courses she completed at Holmesglen and RMIT to expand her knowledge and network, and what her day-to-day work looks like. 0:51 Introduction to Bo Listen to the summary of the episode so you know what to expect before we start. 2:23 Beginning of the interview with Bo Bo shares great insights into her own childhood and education in China, and she explains the pressure that she was under to do well enough to access further study at an elite university. She explains that she didn't really get a chance to explore her interests or strengths with her focus completely on performing well in exams. She did like solving problems though, and found that she could use those skills best in maths and physics. 8:20 Bo's pathway to electronic engineering Bo chose her course simply based on the fact the score needed to get into electronic engineering was higher than what was needed to get into medicine, and she had achieved the necessary score. She shares a range of tips for high school students that she would now give to her younger self, including looking after your physical and mental health, learning more about yourself through study, investigating strengths and passions and learning about different options before choosing a career, and finding other resources to help you see how you can apply your skills and interests across a range of industries beyond your own imagination. 14:08 Electronic engineering Bo explains that engineering is essentially about finding solutions to problems, whether that's about finding the most cost effective way to do something or developing new systems. She sees the type of engineering you do as just dictating the type of tools that you'll use to solve the problem that you're looking at. 18:03 Certificate IV in Cybersecurity at Holmesglen After 5 years working as an electronic engineer, Bo was looking for something different to look into and learn more about, however she wasn't looking at switching careers just yet. She liked the idea of cybersecurity because it sounded interesting, and the course is also free because it's a growing industry in Australia. Bo explains that this course gave her the fundamental knowledge she needed to understand cybersecurity. She also shares that graduates of this course could enter roles such as Level 1 incident responder or junior security analyst. 22:49 Master of Cybersecurity at RMIT After completing the Certificate IV and at the beginning of the pandemic, Bo had decided that she wanted to pivot her career. She had seen a lot about cyber attacks in the news and felt that she could make a difference in the field. She explains what she learnt in this course, and the opportunities that she got to investigate more about cybersecurity, increase her network in the area and gain work experience to get a better understanding of what her day-to-day work might look like. Bo highlights the benefits of studying through university as a way to get better insights into what the industry is actually like. 28:42 Bo's work as an associate defensive security consultant and penetration tester Bo shares what it's like to work as a defensive security consultant and penetration tester, which is also known as being an ethical hacker. As a consultant, she works with different clients with their unique challenges and systems. This also allows her to work in different fields with different underlying technologies, which leans into her love of problem solving. 33:45 Bo's advice to students who are considering cybersecurity as a career Bo explains what type of students she thinks would thrive in cybersecurity, and she has a special message for girls who are considering pursuing a career in this industry. Links mentioned: Certificate IV in Cybersecurity at Holmesglen: https://holmesglen.edu.au/Courses/Computing-and-IT/Cyber-Security/Certificate-IV-in-Cyber-Security-Online/ As discussed in the episode, this course is offered free for eligible students. Master of Cybersecurity at RMIT: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/postgraduate-study/masters-by-coursework/master-of-cyber-security-mc159 My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Monash Tech School: https://www.monashtechschool.vic.edu.au/

What we're talking about: While I could talk all day about the things that I don't like about the ATAR system, these 3 myths and misconceptions around the ATAR, what it means and how it's used are the most prevalent ones that I see that can cause a lot of stress and decision regret. 1:44 Your ATAR is not a budget Whether you're trying to guess what ATAR you'll get, or you already have your results in front of you, there are 2 ways that this number can trip you up. One way is to think of it as the “amount” you have to spend ie I got an ATAR of over 90 so I can't choose a course that has a lowest selection rank of only 70 or I'll be wasting the opportunity. The other way is for students to use their ATAR as a way of limiting their choices ie I got an ATAR of 75 so I'm just going to look at the courses that have a lowest selection rank of between 70 and 75 and choose one of those. Instead of choosing courses based on your ATAR, I want you to choose courses based on your interests and strengths, and then we can look at pathways to get into that course as a back up if you need it. 5:58 The selection rank for a course is not an indication of how difficult or how “good” the course is Courses that have a higher selection rank are not necessarily harder or better than courses with a lower selection rank. The selection rank to get into a course is a popularity contest. The higher the selection rank, the more in demand that course is. There are a number of reasons why a course might be more popular, including the prestige of the course or institution or particular features of the course, but you need to look separately at these features and decide whether or not this course is the one that will suit you best. 9:23 Your ATAR is not an indication of how well you will do at university While there is likely some correlation between students doing well at high school and then doing well at university, I would argue that this is more true when you're looking at courses that are set up in a similar way to high school, with similar test and exam-based assessment. However, there are a range of factors that are more likely to dictate whether you do well in your course, including things like how interested in the course you are, how self motivated you are (which might depend on how interested you are in the content), and what other things are happening in your life (or were happening when you were in high school). Don't fall into the trap of assuming that because you didn't do as well in VCE as you hoped, you automatically won't do well at tertiary level. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: 1:34 Check the prerequisites Take note: If you haven't done the subject prerequisites, you will not be considered for the course. So if you haven't done the prerequisites, don't put it on your preference list. Instead, look at other pathways you can use to get into the course or career you're aiming for. 2:57 Put the courses on your preference list in your preference order Don't fall into the trap of putting the courses on your preference list in ATAR order. The lowest selection rank listed on VTAC CourseSearch is based on the selection process from last year and can change! You can only get (at most) one offer per offer round, so make sure it's for the course you want to get into the most. 8:08 Have at least one course on your preference list that has either no ATAR requirement or where you think you will meet the ATAR requirement Most offers are made in the first 2 rounds, and so you really want to get an offer in the first round so that you have a foot in the door. The easiest way to ensure that you'll get an offer is to have one or two courses on your preference list that have an ATAR requirement that you think you'll be able to achieve (or no ATAR requirement at all). 9:35 Fill your preference list Technically you don't have to have 8 preferences on your preference list. However, if you're working towards making sure that you get an offer in the first round, then it doesn't hurt to fill it! If you're not sure what to put, listen up and I'll give you some examples of what you could choose based on your priorities. 13:12 Get the information you need to make an informed decision If you have a lot of varied interests and you're not sure what you want to do most, you need more information about the courses or the careers they lead to so that you can make the right choice for you. Take some time to find out more, either online, at Open Days, by speaking with people who are studying the course or working in the career you're interested in, or listen to relevant episodes of Course and Career Chat. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Work with me Your Dream Career Roadmap: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services/your-dream-career-roadmap Your VCE Roadmap: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services/your-vce-roadmap Your PERFECT Preference List: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/counselling/perfectlist

What we're talking about: This episode is for the students who are working really hard to do well in VCE. Put the brakes on for 20 minutes and listen up to get some perspective, consider how you're coping, and, if it feels right to you, make a healthier choice for you. 2:00 My school experience In this episode I start by giving you some more information about my own experience as a student in the context of how it led to my current career. I explain how my thoughts around VCE have changed from when I was a student, to when I became a tutor and teacher, and now that I'm a career counsellor. 7:15 Do you enjoy the challenge of school? Why are you working so hard? Is it because you really thrive on the challenge of learning? Or do you wake up feeling sick about the day ahead? Find out how conversations with some of my students helped me question how things are done in schools. 11:13 Why are most of us so focused on ATARs and results? The VCE system is all based on ranking students against each other, which inevitably leads to a lot of students being hyper focused on results rather than learning. What I want you to think about is how you could reframe things in a healthier way. You have more choice than you think. 16:08 How else could you approach this? So what could you do differently to take all this pressure off yourself and stop focusing so much on striving to do well? You could think about what you want to do next, recognise that you can actually do whatever you want, and that you can put a plan in place to get there no matter what results you get. You don't need a better ATAR. You need a better plan. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: VTAC applications are about to open, and it can feel pretty stressful when you're not sure what you need to do and when you need to complete everything. In this episode I'll talk you through what you need to know to submit your application on time and ready for course offers later in the year. I give you an indication of the timeline here, but please check the VTAC website for all dates and deadlines. 1:59 Submit your application The first thing you need to do is submit your application. Don't get too caught up in this - you only need to add one course to your preference list to submit your application which locks in the lowest fee as long as you submit before the timely application deadline. You can still add courses and change your preferences after you submit. 5:06 Pay your fees The important thing to know is that you don't need to pay when you submit your application, but the date you submit dictates how much you need to pay. Make sure you pay the fee by the cutoff date in December to be eligible for the first round of course offers. 7:15 Change of preference You can change your preferences as much as you want right up until you get your VCE results in December before they're locked in ready for the first round of offers. Changing your preferences doesn't affect whether or not your application is submitted or how much you pay. You'll also be able to change your preferences after each offer round. 11:18 SEAS and scholarships You can apply for SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme for if you've been disadvantaged in some way) and a range of scholarships as part of your VTAC application, and you have until October to submit these. If you are submitting a SEAS application, get onto it sooner rather than later to make sure you have time to get all the evidence you need. More scholarships are available than what's in your VTAC application, but this is a good way to apply for a range of scholarships with one application. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com VTAC dates: https://www.vtac.edu.au/dates.html

What we're talking about: TAFE and University Open Days are one of the best ways to really understand what your tertiary experience will be like…but they can also be a waste of time if you don't have a plan for the day. Listen up for 5 of my best tips for getting the most out of your next Open Day. 2:05 - Register for your Open Day Before you go to the Open Day, make sure you go to the TAFE or University website and register so that you get all the information about what's going to happen on the day, and also you'll be added to their mailing list so you'll find out about any other opportunities that are coming up to find out more about their courses. 3:43 - Do some research before you go Even though you will get lots of pamphlets on the day with heaps of course information, if you do some research before you go, you can have your questions ready so that you can come away from the Open Day with the extra information you need to make an informed decision. 5:48 - Plan your day Now you have all this information, you can plan your day so that you use your time efficiently. If you know what time the sessions you're interested in are running you can be there at the right time (especially if there are 2 Open Days for different institutions that you want to go to on the same day). You can also write down questions so you're ready to ask them at the right the time instead of trying to think of them on the spot. 7:30 - Soak up the atmosphere If you end up choosing to go to this TAFE or uni, you'll be spending a lot of time there, so you want to make sure it's a place where you feel comfortable and inspired to learn (or at least somewhere you want to turn up each day!) Open Days are a great opportunity to get a sense of what the TAFE or university is in general, and you can also find out what they offer outside of academic study that could interest you. 9:29 - You are in the driver's seat If you're feeling anxious about going to the Open Day and asking questions, remember that they're holding the Open Day to sell the experience to you and convince you to choose THEM. The people there want to speak to you and answer your questions. Forget about ATARs and everything that's happening at school and use this opportunity to get excited about your future. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Grab your free Open Day planning tool: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/open-days

What we're talking about: In this episode I discuss what sort of information you can find in VTAC CourseSearch and explain what it all means, particularly when it comes to course types and codes, selection ranks, subject adjustments and prerequisites. 2:00 Why you should start looking at VTAC CourseSearch asap Just like you get more out of working with a tutor if you've already had a go at your homework, you'll get more out of your meeting with your career counsellor at school if you have already had a look and have questions ready to ask. 3:11 What information is available on VTAC CourseSearch? I explain briefly how to search for courses or majors on CourseSearch and what types of filters you can use to get a list of courses you're interested in. You'll also see some basic information about the course including the name of the course, how long it goes for, and an outline of the course highlighting important features. 5:28 All about course codes and types There are different course types based on the types of fees that you'll pay - CSP (Commonwealth Supported Place), DFP (Domestic Full Fee Place) and IFP (International Full Fee Place). Hear about the differences and how they work. 9:10 Selection criteria This is the section you need to look at to see what you need to complete to get into the course. This can be a particular selection rank, prerequisites, a portfolio or another selection task. I explain the difference between an ATAR and a selection rank and the types of things that can boost your selection rank, including subject adjustments. I also emphasise the importance of prerequisites when it comes to being offered a place in a course. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com VTAC CourseSearch: https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/#/search VTAC CourseSearch archive (Note: Use this if you're searching before VTAC applications are open because the archive contains the information from the end of last year rather than the information for midyear applicants): https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/?fbclid=IwAR1t0p-3C-GbgEtX7bCuyeJ8r-beGMLIQcLr12wJfZcmxEcImcRkRGCsbc0#/search/archive SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme): https://www.vtac.edu.au/access/seas.html

What we're talking about: I often get asked the question, “Why would students work with you when they get the same thing for free at school?” The honest answer is, because it's not the same thing. In this episode I go into detail about the career education and resources you get from your school, and explain how what I offer supports students and families in a different way. 2:02 How your careers teacher is like a classroom teacher The analogy I'm using to explain the difference between what your careers teacher does and what I (and other independent careers counsellors) do, is to compare your careers teacher to a classroom teacher. I explain how they're the same in that they are both responsible for the education of their entire cohort of students. I list a huge range of tasks that your careers teacher is responsible for to give you an understanding of the scope of work they do. 9:27 How independent career counsellors are like a tutor Independent career counsellors are like a tutor in that they help support students and families individually with whatever they need to make good decisions for their future. Not all students need an independent career counsellor, but for those that do want some extra support to feel more confident and less anxious about their next step, they can be really helpful. 12:15 What I do to support students that is different from the support you get at school Listen to me explain how I set up my personalised career counselling sessions and what I provide to help both parents and students feel really confident about their options. I also share how being independent from schools allows me to provide support and advice that doesn't take into account what the school might prefer you do, from subject choices to tertiary courses and careers. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: In this episode, I'm interviewing Ash who is a heavy vehicle diesel mechanic and writer. 2:14 Beginning of the interview with Ash Ash explains that as a Year 10 student she really had no idea about what VCE was and how it worked, but she felt later on that she was lucky because the subjects that she chose based on her interests worked in her favour in terms of her final results. We discuss how understanding how VCE works can help students feel more in control and make informed decisions about which subjects to choose. 6:19 Ash's Year 10 work experience Ash signed up for work experience following a presentation at her school, but really had no idea what she was signing up for. She later found out that she was going to do work experience with mechanics that work on trucks rather than cars, and after initially not wanting to go, she ended up learning heaps and loving it. This experience encouraged her to learn more about becoming a mechanic and choosing a VCE VET subject that would allow her to explore what working as a mechanic might look like. 10:10 Ash's VCE subjects Ash chose a range of subjects that she was interested in and that challenged her, including English Language, Literature, Maths Methods, Outdoor Education, Business Management and a Certificate II in Automotive Studies. She shares her experience doing the VCE VET subject, how it worked alongside the rest of her subjects and what was covered in the subject. 14:47 Tips for VCE students Because Ash was doing subjects she liked, she found it easier to stay committed to studying throughout Year 12, and she also knew they would lead to a career that she would enjoy. She also shares that she started her exam preparation early so that she was learning the content as well as practising good exam techniques. This meant that by the time exams came around she felt more confident and prepared. 18:58 Pursuing an apprenticeship Ash was doing well at school and could have pursued pretty much whatever she wanted, but because of the experiences she'd had through work experience, study seminars and her VCE VET subject, she had the evidence she needed to know that pursuing an apprenticeship was the next right step for her. We talk about the misconceptions that people have around what subjects you need to do to get a high ATAR, and how you don't necessarily have to be super “smart” or academically inclined to get fantastic VCE results. 24:35 Ash's heavy vehicle diesel mechanic apprenticeship Ash explains how she proactively went about securing an apprenticeship, what she learnt during her apprenticeship and what was covered at trade school in the Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Kangan Institute. She also talks about what other similar studies are available at the Docklands campus of Kangan Institute. 28:02 Ash's experiences in her career so far Ash has had a huge range of experiences so far, including working on diesel engines as an apprentice, working FIFO on a coal mine, and running her own business with a friend from trade school. This allowed her to work on a range of different vehicles and equipment in different settings so that she could decide what area she wanted to work in next. 31:49 Ash's experiences as a writer As well as beginning an incredibly busy career as a mechanic, Ash still makes time to pursue her dream of being a writer. She shares how she makes time to work on her latest manuscript, surrounds herself with a community of writers, writes opinion pieces as a freelance writer, and shares her experiences working as a mechanic and what she's learning about writing on her blog. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Kangan Institute: https://www.kangan.edu.au/courses/department/automotive/certificate-iii-in-heavy-commercial-vehicle-mechanical-technology-6576 Ash's blog: https://ashleybeeby.com/ Ash's article in The Age about her experience of choosing an apprenticeship: https://www.theage.com.au/by/ashley-beeby-p536um

What we're talking about: Today I'm sharing 3 questions that I hear a lot from VCE students (and parents), and I'm explaining what these questions tell me you're worrying about, and give you an alternative question that will better support you to get the most out of VCE. 1:27 - How many hours do I need to study each night? This question is really hard to answer, because it's different depending on who you are, how well you understand what's happening in class, whether or not you have an assessment task coming up, what resources you have access to, etc. Instead, I want you to ask “What do I need to do to get the most out of the time I spend studying?” This question changes your focus from ticking a box to actually giving yourself what you need to feel confident, learn the content and perform well at school. 5:15 What SAC marks do I need to get a study score or ATAR of…? A SAC mark isn't enough information by itself to let you know what study score or ATAR to expect. If you don't know how this works yet, please go and listen to Episode 58 to find out how ATARs are calculated (www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58). Instead, I want you to ask “what are the pathways that I can use to get into the course or career that I'm dreaming of no matter what results I get?” This question supports you by giving you a task to do that will be helpful when it comes to applying for courses, and also takes the pressure off each individual SAC and exam, because you already can see all the ways you can still get where you want to go. 8:42 What's the best uni for this course? The fact is, the best uni or TAFE for a particular course is the one that prioritises the things that you need. Instead, ask “what do I want to prioritise, and what uni prioritises that?” The best course for you is the one that allows you to get the most out of the course, whether that means that it's located close to where you live, whether they have a larger or smaller cohort, whether the university or TAFE has the support services that you need, etc. Please also forget about what your future employer might think. Firstly, in Australia we're very lucky to have fantastic courses and institutions, and in a lot of industries, courses need to be accredited so it's really easy to make sure that the course covers what everything that you'll need to start your career.. Also, more and more, employers want to hire graduates who can show that they have the relevant skills that are needed for the job through the answers they give in an interview, or the internships or work placements they've done. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

What we're talking about: Today I'm interviewing Hayley, who has completed a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine and now works as a Medical Scientist in Haematology & Blood Transfusion at the Royal Children's Hospital. 1:49 Beginning of Hayley's interview When Hayley was younger she wanted to work as a kindergarten teacher, but it wasn't long before she changed her mind and wanted to do something in the medical field where she could also work with children. 3:18 Hayley's VCE journey Hayley accelerated in both Further Maths and Outdoor Education, and she also completed Biology, Chemistry and Visual Communication. She started Maths Methods and completed unit 1 before deciding that it wasn't for her. We discuss the difference between Further Maths and Maths Methods and why Hayley preferred Further Maths. She also gives some great tips about how to use your time efficiently and effectively at school during VCE, and we both give tips about how we studied for English to feel confident writing essays when it wasn't a strength for either of us. 17:35 Finding the right course Hayley had read about being a medical laboratory technician and felt like that was the right career for her. Because of that, she decided she would study Biomedicine at La Trobe. But after she went to the RMIT Open Day and found out about the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, she realised that this was actually the course she needed to become a medical scientist (a level above a medical lab technician) and became really excited about it. 21:33 The difference between studying Biomedicine and Laboratory Medicine Hayley does a great job of explaining what Laboratory Medicine is and how it's different to Biomedicine. She also explains exactly what you study in this course at RMIT including the five areas that you can choose from (anatomical pathology, clinical biochemistry, haematology, medical microbiology, transfusion and transplantation science). 25:28 What is haematology and transfusion? Hayley's majors are haematology and transfusion or blood bank, and she explains in detail what that is and the types of tasks she does in her role at the Royal Children's Hospital. 30:34 The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine at RMIT The course includes an extended full time placement and Hayley explains how that process works and the benefits of her placement. She also shares about the research project that she did and the professional organisation the students were encouraged to join while they were studying. We discuss how these experiences are so helpful in terms of feeling confident applying for jobs and beginning your career. 38:24 How would students know this would be a good career for them? Hayley discusses the ways she knew that working as a medical scientist would be a good career for her, particularly in comparison to being a doctor or researcher. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine at RMIT: https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/levels-of-study/undergraduate-study/honours-degrees/bachelor-of-laboratory-medicine-honours-bh129

What we're talking about: It's nearly time for the GAT again, and I hear from my students and see online all of the stress around it - that absolutely doesn't have to be there. By understanding more what it will look like and what it's used for, you can walk in with confidence feeling good about it and how it could benefit you. 1:21 What does the GAT look like? Listen up as I explain what the GAT looks like, including what's in each section, how long you get to complete each section, and whether or not you need to complete both sections. 4:00 What is the GAT used for? Most importantly, the GAT will only ever be used to make your results higher. Learn how it can be used to adjust your SAC results for your whole class, why it might trigger a third marking of your external exam for a particular subject, and how the GAT can be used to help calculate a derived score. 10:58 Do you need to study for the exam? Because the GAT is used to test numeracy, literacy and general knowledge, there's no set curriculum that you can study to prepare for it. It may help you feel more prepared by seeing the front covers of each section and examples of the multiple choice questions, so I've included links to those below. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Blog post: What is the GAT?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/roadmapblog/gat GAT cover pages: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/index.aspx GAT overview: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/GATOverview.aspx

What we're talking about: Today I want to talk to you about 3 really practical ways that you can support yourself in VCE that will help you feel in control and give you a better perspective when you're overwhelmed by homework, SACs and exams. 2:43 - Understand how VCE really works The better you understand how VCE works, the better prepared you are to do well, and the more likely you are to focus on the things that you can actually control and that will make a difference in how well you do in VCE. Make sure you know how your VCE subjects work and how study scores and ATARs are calculated so that you don't get distracted and stressed out by those parts of VCE that can feel really overwhelming. 4:57 - Keep track of important dates and processes If you are in VCE and want to study in Victoria when you finish, it's important for you to know when VTAC applications and SEAS applications open, when they're due and when payments are due so that you don't miss out because you didn't meet the deadlines. If you're submitting a SEAS application, also check the VTAC website early so that you understand what evidence you need to provide and have plenty of time to organise it. 9:23 - Learn about pathways that lead to courses that you're interested in It's great to have one or two courses that you're really interested in, but if that's where your research ends, you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself to get a particular ATAR or get offered a place in the course you want. The best way that I've found to remove a lot of that pressure, is to have a thorough understanding of what you need to do to get into the course, what alternative courses that you can look at if you don't meet the entry requirements, and create a plan around what you'll do in the change of preference period if you don't end up with the results you're hoping for so that you can still end up in the same course or career you're dreaming of. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources How are ATARs calculated?: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/58 VCE study designs: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx VTAC dates: https://www.vtac.edu.au/dates.html SEAS information: https://www.vtac.edu.au/access/seas.html

What we're talking about: In this solo episode I'm answering the question “How are ATARs calculated?” because it's so relevant to all students from Year 10 through to the end of Year 12, and there's a lot of misinformation out there about how it all works, which causes significant stress and anxiety for students. By explaining how it really works, my aim is to empower you and remove some of that stress, helping you focus on what you can control and worry less about what you can't. 1:45 - Start with your SAC ranking Understand how your Unit 3&4 SAC results contribute to your study scores for each of your VCE subjects. Spoiler alert: your actual marks don't matter. It's your ranking compared to your classmates that's important in this step. 6:26 - How do they work out your SAC scores? Learn how VCAA uses the external exam results for your VCE subjects to calculate the SAC results they will use to work out your study score. This is how they fix the issue that students at different schools do different SACs. 11:29 - How are VCE study scores scaled? You've likely heard about scaling of VCE study scores because it seems to be something that students really focus on when they're choosing subjects. It's important to know that subjects are scaled based on how well the cohort of students in one subject do in all of their other subjects, and it's done to make a study score of 30 equivalent to a study score of 30 in any other subject. 13:45 - How are your study scores used to calculate your ATAR? Find out how your study scores are added together to calculate an aggregate score, and then how that number is converted to a ranking, comparing your results to everyone else who has completed VCE in the same year. 15:36 - Why is it important to understand how ATARs are calculated? Now you know how it works, you can focus on the things that will actually help you get a better an ATAR and let go of the things you can't control. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources VCE Study Designs: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx Blog post: How are ATARs calculated: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/roadmapblog/how-are-atars-calculated Instagram post - How your ATAR is calculated: What you need to know https://www.instagram.com/p/CotzljKP5Dk/

What we're talking about: In this episode, I'm interviewing Len and Ben about the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at Box Hill Institute. 2:58 Beginning of the interview with Len Len is the Manager of Refrigeration in the Faculty of Trades, Technology and Transport at Box Hill Institute, and a teacher in the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. 3:37 Len talks about how the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration works. Len discusses the learning that happens when students are at Box Hill, how it links in to their apprenticeship with their employer, the entry requirements for the course and how to meet these requirements if you don't have them straight away. He also talks about the opportunity to come to Box Hill Institute and get a tour of the facilities to help you work out whether it's the right course for you. 10:11 Len talks about the career opportunities in the industry Len shares the wide range of job opportunities available and explains where graduates of the course end up working after they've completed their training, as well as the types of work they are qualified to do. 15:17 Beginning of the interview with Ben Ben is in his second year of the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at Box Hill Institute. 16:29 Ben talks about what he was like as a student in high school Ben explains that he was into music and woodwork at school. He was thinking of maybe pursuing sound engineering after he finished school, but wasn't really sure how to get there and how his VCE studies were going to help him. After he found himself just not interested in VCE, he decided to leave high school and pursue a trade instead. 24:10 Ben explains how he found his first apprenticeship He wasn't initially sure what trade he wanted to do, so he reached out to his family's landlord who was a registered builder doing maintenance for body corporates. Because of the nature of this work, it gave Ben the opportunity to try out a range of different skills so that he could then choose an area that he really enjoyed. Through this process he started an apprenticeship as a builder. 27:50 Ben talks about his career in sales and management After his first apprenticeship fell through, Ben followed a different path and had a lot of success in different roles in sales for various employers, and then worked his way up from customer service to management at Centrelink. After a few years he decided to leave the comfort of that role to try a new challenge in sales at Mercedes Benz, but when Covid caused a downturn in that industry he went back to working at Centrelink before taking the leap to get back into doing a trade. 34:45 Ben talks about his experience in the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration He shares what he's been learning throughout the course and how it changes from first to second year, how it fits in with his apprenticeship, and how he's found studying at Box Hill Institute. He also talks about the type of work he does day-to-day in his apprenticeship. 43:16 Ben explains how you might know that this industry is for you. He talks about the types of things you might be interested in and/or good at if you're a good fit for getting into the industry of air conditioning and refrigeration. Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration at Box Hill Institute: https://www.boxhill.edu.au/courses/certificate-iii-in-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-etr20-app/ My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources

What we're talking about: This episode is a solo episode where I answer a question that is coming up a lot with the families and students I'm working with at the moment. Today's focus is choosing VCE subjects and I go through 3 things that I'd like you to focus on as you choose them, and 2 things I want you to ignore and not pay attention to so that you choose a set of subjects that will work for you. 2:57 - What subjects do you like?  Choosing VCE subjects based on what you like will actually help lead you towards a course and career that you'll like. It gives you the chance to better explore the areas you're already leaning towards to work out if it actually is the right path for you, and it also just makes VCE more enjoyable. 7:33 - What are the prerequisites for the types of courses you might be interested in? I give some tips to help you start working out what courses you might like, and then recommend you find out what the prerequisites are now to make sure you have them covered. I also want you to recognise that there's often not a lot of subjects that you'll have to do to meet the entry requirements. 9:39 - What are the subject adjustments for the courses you're interested in?  While the subjects you can get an adjustment for aren't prerequisites, they give an indication of what might be covered in the course you're looking at, and if you do well in them, you can get a boost to your selection rank to help you meet the ATAR requirement for the course. 13:08 - Don't focus on scaling when choosing your VCE subjects.  Learn about how scaling actually works so that you can see that choosing subjects based on whether they scale up or down won't really help you get a better ATAR. 17:22 - Let go of what VCE subjects you think you SHOULD do Don't choose a subject just because you think you should do it. Is it a subject that you might need later on? Is it related to what you are interested in? Great, then do it. If you don't like it, and it's only a prerequisite for the types of courses that you're not interested in anyway, why make VCE harder than it needs to be? Links mentioned: Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat VTAC CourseSearch: https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/#/search My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources

What we're talking about: In this episode I have 3 guests - Tina is the senior educator of laboratory programs at Holmesglen, Janet is the lead lab manager at Holmesglen, and Parker has studied a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques at Holmesglen and he also works with Janet there as a lab assistant. All three guests share fantastic information about what it means to work in a laboratory, the huge range of job opportunities available, and the different pathways you can take if you're interested in becoming a laboratory assistant or technician. Pathways to becoming a Laboratory Assistant and Laboratory Technician Tina shares some great information about the pathways available to becoming a lab assistant and/or technician, including the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills as a VET subject at school and the Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques as an entry level course at TAFE. One of the benefits she mentions of completing the certificates is that you gain a qualification each step of the way, which is great for your resume, and also ensures that you have skills that employers are looking for and can readily see if you've completed these courses. Tina also mentions the Diploma of Laboratory Technology, which students can choose to do after they complete Certificate IV, and this is the equivalent of the first year of a university degree. The role of a Laboratory Assistant Janet gives us an insight into what it's like to work in the labs at Holmesglen, and the types of activities that she does in her role as the lead lab manager, as well as the day-to-day activities of the other members of her team. Parker works as a laboratory assistant at Holmesglen with Janet, and he also shares what his days look like and also some of the roles that his peers do now that they have completed the Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques. The benefits of studying at TAFE Parker is very open about his experiences at school and what led to him leaving school at the end of Year 11 despite being very interested in Science and learning. He contrasts his experience at school with TAFE, and how the environment and focus on hands-on learning was really suited to him. Parker also shares his approach to his career, emphasising the ability he has to use his learning and qualifications as building blocks along the way to access fantastic work opportunities within his field while he continues studying.  Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Monash Tech School: https://www.monashtechschool.vic.edu.au/ Certificate III in Laboratory Skills at Holmesglen: https://holmesglen.edu.au/Courses/Certificate-III-in-Laboratory-Skills-VET-Delivered-to-Secondary-Students/ Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques at Holmesglen: https://holmesglen.edu.au/Courses/Community-and-Health-Sciences/Pathology-and-Laboratory-Testing/Certificate-IV-in-Laboratory-Techniques/

What we're talking about: Today I'm chatting with Matt, who is an apprentice butcher completing a Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) at William Angliss. He actually started (and successfully completed) a Bachelor of Biomedicine first, but when he found himself enjoying the work he was doing in his part-time job at the local butcher shop more than what he was studying, he made the decision to pursue becoming a butcher instead. Listen up to hear about Matt's experience as an apprentice butcher, his incredible win at the World Butchers' Challenge in the US, and his advice for anyone thinking of pursuing not only butchery but any trade. From Biomedicine to Butchery Matt enjoyed Chemistry and Biology at school, and so he followed the logical choice of going to university and studying Biomedicine. He shares the parts of his Biomedicine degree that he enjoyed, why he made the choice to switch direction even though he was doing well at uni and didn't hate what he was doing, and how he started his apprenticeship in Butchery. What it's like to be an Apprentice Butcher Matt shares what his work looks like and the types of tasks he does in his day-to-day work. He also talks about what he learns at William Angliss when he goes into trade school, and how it shows how much butchering has changed over time. Matt also shares his experience this year when he represented Australia at the World Butchers' Challenge in the US. Not only did he win, but he learnt a lot about his prospects as a butcher not only in Australia but around the world. Work Opportunities for Butchers (and Tradespeople in General) In this episode, we talk about how parents and students often see university as the safest pathway from school, however the reality is that people with trades are sought after and find it easy to find work. Matt shares that when he was overseas he found that this trend seems to be the case worldwide, meaning that having a trade can give you the opportunity to travel and work overseas as well. He also talks about how the butchery trade has changed over time, and how more and more women are joining the industry which is great for both representation and the trade in general. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Check out career planning digital resources here: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/resources Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher): https://www.angliss.edu.au/courses/foods/meat-processing/Certificate-III-in-Meat-Processing-Retail-Butcher-Apprenticeship/

What we're talking about: Today I'm speaking with two guests about their roles in the construction industry. The first is Jackson, the Managing Director of iBuild Building Solutions, and he shares about innovation within the industry and where he sees the future of construction in Australia. We also hear from Elizabeth who is about to complete a Master of Engineering from The University of Melbourne. Her current role at iBuild is as a technologist and she shares great information about her course and the type of work she does day-to-day. Innovation in Construction Technologies Jackson explains that at iBuild they provide kit homes and modular buildings to residential, commercial and government clients. He shares the ways in which they use new technologies such as video immersion capabilities, virtual reality and augmented reality to better design before they build, as well as how offsite construction technologies reduces the environmental impact and improves safety. This gives us an insight into the future of construction in Australia. Bachelor of Science/Master of Engineering at The University of Melbourne Elizabeth completed her secondary schooling in Darwin, and she explains how she went about researching and applying to interstate universities. She chose to study Engineering at The University of Melbourne through the Science/Engineering pathway, starting with a Bachelor of Science followed by a Master of Engineering. Elizabeth gives us an insight into the course and the opportunities she had to explore what a career in engineering would look like. Civil Engineering Elizabeth initially wanted to pursue Architecture because she thought that it would allow her to combine her interests of design and maths, however when she did work experience at an architecture firm and asked about the types of maths they use, she was told not to worry - the engineers do that part! She immediately changed her focus to engineering, and in this conversation she explains really clearly what engineering is and what she does in her role at iBuild as she works towards becoming a civil engineer. Links mentioned: My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com Monash Tech School: https://www.monashtechschool.vic.edu.au/ Bachelor of Science/Master of Engineering at The University of Melbourne: https://eng.unimelb.edu.au/students/preeng-it/science-pathway iBuild Building Solutions: https://www.ibuild.com/