University of Sydney | Designing your future with a Bachelor of Arts
October 25, 2023
Discover the Bachelor of Arts and the combined four-year Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees that will provide you with an outstanding liberal arts education. Find out how studying arts and social sciences at Sydney will prepare you to meet the challenges of the modern workforce, where expertise, inventiveness, logic and critical thinking come to the fore.
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University of Sydney | Studying Design at Sydney
October 25, 2023
Learn about how our new Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design) will provide you with the innovative technical and social design skills to become a leading edge designer in today’s fast-paced job market. Find out how your passion for creativity and problem solving can be harnessed for a career in digital and visual design.
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WEP | Returned Student Q&A
October 25, 2023
Returned Student Q&As are a great opportunity to ask some returned WEP students your questions about exchange! They will be around to tell you stories of their exchange and what it was like. Have your questions ready to make the most of this opportunity!
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Aviation Job Skills Workshop – Auburn
October 26, 2023
Join us at our workshop to explore the huge variety of Airports and Aviation job career pathways available to the women of Western Sydney.
Each workshop is designed to share career pathways, training options and skill requirements, job application tips for women to apply for aviation jobs. It’s a great insight into the amazing career opportunities that exists at Airports, including careers that do not require any formal qualifications to enter.
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AIT | MasterTalks – Meet the Graphic Artist for Elvis
October 26, 2023
Join us for an AIT MasterTalk with Bowen Ellames, award-winning Concept Artist and Graphic Designer for Marvel and the biopic, Elvis!
Learn about the career journey of concept artist and graphic design artist, Bowen Ellames, and get a glimpse into some of the main projects throughout his career.
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Sydney Design School | Open Day
October 28, 2023
Be open to creativity! We’re opening our studios for a day of exploration. Meet our passionate Educators, view our exhibition space and get hands on building an interiors mood board or 3D model.
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Aviation Careers Forum – Parramatta
November 9, 2023
Join us for a fun, interactive day to meet and engage with leading female Aviation role models. Listen to key female speakers and interact in our Airport & Aviation career seminars and panel discussions. Enjoy the fully catered breaks throughout the day to chat and engage with women in industry in a relaxed environment.
Not sure there is a career for you? There are a huge variety of amazing careers available in the aviation industry, and many of these careers provide on the job training with no prior qualifications necessary. Come along and be inspired!
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University of Sydney | Camden Open Day 2023
November 10, 2023
Register your Year 10-11 classes for an interactive visit to the University of Sydney’s Camden Campus to explore study and career pathways in real and applied agricultural sciences.
The day will include a visit out to the active cattle and mixed enterprise facilities of John Bruce Pye Farm where all students will experience cutting-edge precision agriculture, animal handling practices and visit some resident cows on the farm.
The other half of the day will include three interactive workshops chosen by the school from a variety of topics. The workshop descriptions will be finalised and sent to registered schools in Term 4, and include sessions on:
- Soil health
- Fish farming
- Veterinary practice
- Poultry nutrition
- Plant productivity
- Animal welfare
- And more!
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AMPA | Experience Days
November 13 to November 16, 2023
The Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) invites aspiring students (16 and over) to join us for a day in our music or dance programs. Attendees will have the chance to sit in on performance classes, workshops, Q&A sessions and meet faculty and students.
Whether you’re passionate about dance, contemporary music, classical music, music theatre, music production, songwriting or composition, RSVP now to discover how you can take the lead with AMPA.
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AIE | Open Day
November 18, 2023
Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Open Day on Sat 18 November 2023. This event will be held at AIE Campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide from 10am to 3pm.
AIE’s Open Day is a great opportunity to meet our teachers, staff and students. The day will cover everything you need to know about the:
- careers in games and VFX that we train students for;
- studios and industries that we work with;
- courses we offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
- the software, skills and knowledge we teach.
AIE’s Open Day will also include presentations on entry requirements and how to apply. Find out how AIE can get you into a creative career.
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Enter the World of Le Cordon Bleu – Careers Residential, Sydney
November 21 to November 22, 2023
We’re opening our doors to high school students in Years 11 & 12, to experience a ‘day in the life’ at one of the world’s leading culinary and hospitality institutions to provide a taste of what a future career in global hospitality will be like.
Meet lecturers and Le Cordon Bleu professionals, hear from industry experts, discover what Le Cordon Bleu hospitality management degree programmes involve and experience hands-on culinary arts with our chefs.
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Scholarships
Crafting a personal statement for scholarship and university applications
If you’ve been looking for scholarships or preparing university applications, you might have been asked for something called a personal statement. But what exactly is it, and how can you make yours stand out? In this blog, we’re going to break it down step by step, giving you tips on crafting a personal statement that showcases your unique qualities and aspirations.
Understanding the personal statement
Think of a personal statement as your chance to introduce yourself beyond numbers and grades – almost like your personal highlight reel, where you get to shine a light on who you are, what you’re passionate about, and why you’re a perfect fit for that scholarship or university program.
Top tips for crafting a great personal statement
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting a standout personal statement. These five tips will guide you through the process and hopefully leave you feel more confident about your applications.
Be authentic
Your personal statement should be, well, personal! Don’t try to be someone you’re not or just write what you think people want to hear. Be true to yourself. Share your experiences, interests, and dreams in your own voice – this is your chance to let your personality shine through.
Tell your story
Your personal statement should be a mini-story about you. Start with a compelling opening that grabs the reader’s attention and take them on a journey through your experiences, challenges, and achievements. Show them how these moments have shaped you and led you to where you are now.
Highlight your achievements and goals
This is your time to brag a bit (but in a humble way, of course!). Talk about your accomplishments, both inside and outside the classroom. Whether it’s winning a debate competition, leading a community service project, or overcoming a difficult situation, let your achievements speak for themselves. Don’t forget to share your future goals and how this scholarship or program could help you achieve them.
Be specific and concise
Avoid being too vague or generic. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points. Paint a vivid picture of who you are and why you’re a great fit. On the other hand, remember to keep it concise. Admissions officers can have a lot of statements to read and sometimes there are strict word limits, so you need to make every word count.
Edit, edit, edit
Once you’ve poured your heart onto the page, it’s time to polish it up. Check for spelling and grammar errors (and don’t just rely on Word to point them out for you). Read it aloud to make sure it flows smoothly. Have someone you trust, like a teacher or parent, read it and give feedback. A well-edited statement shows that you care about the details and are serious about your application.
Final thoughts and next steps
Crafting a standout personal statement might seem like a daunting task, but with these tips, you’re well on your way. Take every opportunity, whether successful or not, as a chance to learn and grow. Even if you apply but aren’t accepted, you might receive some feedback that can make your next application even better.
If you’re eager to explore more about your future study options, head over to our website. Or if you’re ready to apply, you can search our scholarships database here.
Getting Ready for Work
Starting a business in high school
If you have a great idea and some entrepreneurial spirit, the idea of starting your own business can seem really appealing. And you don’t need to wait until you’ve finished high school to get started – there’s really no limit on when you can start, as long as you have a plan.
We’ll delve into why starting a business now can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make, plus offer some practical tips to help you kickstart your journey.
Why start your own business?
Starting a business in high school isn’t just about making some extra cash; it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and set yourself up for future success. Here’s why you should consider it:
- Learn valuable skills: You’ll learn about budgeting, time management, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are invaluable and will benefit you no matter where your future takes you.
- Shape your own future: You get to choose what you want to do, how you want to do it, and when you want to do it. It’s a taste of independence and self-determination.
- Gain real-world experience: Imagine having a business on your resume before you even graduate high school – this will definitely set you apart from the crowd when it comes to uni applications and future job interviews.
- Potential for financial rewards: While not every business becomes a money-making machine (and that’s OK!), the potential for financial rewards is there.
Some ideas to get you started
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas to get you thinking. Here’s a tip to keep in mind while you brainstorm: the key to a successful business is to identify a problem that someone will pay for you to solve.
- Tutoring: Offer your expertise in a particular subject to help fellow students with their studies.
- Handmade crafts: If you’re crafty, create and sell handmade jewellery, candles, or artwork.
- Lawn care: Mow lawns, trim hedges, and tend to gardens in your neighbourhood.
- Pet sitting or dog walking: Love animals? Offer pet sitting or dog walking services for your friends and neighbours.
Tips for Startup Success
Now that you’ve got a business idea in mind, let’s look at some key strategies to set you on the right track.
Discover your passion
Choose a business idea that excites you. Starting a business is hard work, but it can be much more enjoyable if it’s something you’re passionate about.
Plan and research
Research your market, create a business plan, and set clear goals. This will guide your efforts and help you stay on track.
Keep your finances in check
Learn to manage your finances wisely. Keep track of expenses and revenue, and save a portion of your profits.
Build an online presence
In today’s digital world, having an online presence is crucial. Create a simple website (you can use tools like Squarespace or Weebly), or use social media to promote your business.
Seek guidance
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and assistance from teachers, family, or mentors. Their wisdom can be invaluable.
Take the first step
Starting a business in high school might seem difficult, but the earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to grow and learn. Plus, you never know where it could lead you – Melanie Perkins, the founder of Canva, started out at age 14 selling scarves in local markets, and now owns one of the most successful startups in the world.
If you’re looking to explore your future work options further, check out more blogs and tips on our website.