Discovery Day at UOW: What I Learned (And Why It Matters for Our Students)

On Monday I attended the University of Wollongong’s annual Careers Advisers Discovery Day … and while I was there solo this year (assessments meant we couldn’t bring students along), I spent the day thinking constantly about Caringbah students and what this means for you.

These university update days are more than just information sessions. They’re a chance to understand where higher education is heading, and where the workforce is moving.

Here’s what stood out.

AI Isn’t Going Away… But It’s Not the Villain Either

The day began with an address from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor G.Q. Max Lu, who spoke openly about AI.

The message was clear:

• AI is not inherently unethical.

• It can be an enabler.

• But we must be clear about purpose, boundaries and risk.

What I loved most? Universities are asking the same questions we are in schools:
How do we use AI well?
How do we teach students to think critically with it … not rely blindly on it?

In Media and Communications, for example, UOW is embedding AI across units next year. Not to replace human creativity, but to explore ethical use, limitations, and the human element that must always remain.

This is exactly the kind of thinking we need.

The Fastest Growing Industries (Pay Attention to These)

Across the day, we heard about the strongest areas of growth in Australia:

• Health & Medical (fastest growing sector)

• Mental health

• Allied health

• Community health

• Technology, Data & AI (It’s not just “tech jobs” - every industry now needs digital fluency.)

• Data analysis across all industries

• Cybersecurity

• AI-enabled roles

• Engineering & Infrastructure

• Driven by transport, housing and energy investment.

• Civil

• Electrical

• Environmental

• Project management

• Business, Strategy & Professional Services

• Blending strategy, analysis and people skills.

• Education & Training

• Sustainability, Environment & Policy

….. Which leads me to my favourite session of the day…

“Can We End Poverty Without Destroying the Planet?”

I attended a Politics taster lecture exploring global development, carbon emissions, foreign aid and sustainability.

We looked at:

• Indicators of development

• Carbon emissions per capita

• Wealth and over-consumption in high-income countries

• Whether economic growth as we know it is sustainable

• The link between climate change and global inequality

It was thought-provoking, uncomfortable, and deeply relevant.

If you care about climate change, justice, economics, sustainability or global systems, politics and policy are not “abstract degrees.” They are at the centre of some of the biggest decisions our world is facing.

I have already invited this academic to visit Caringbah to run a session with students. Watch this space.

A Big Structural Change: The 8 + 8 + 8 Degree Model

UOW is introducing a new undergraduate structure in many courses:

• 8 Core subjecs (48cp)

• 8 Major subjects (48cp)

• 8 Flexible subjects (48cp)

This means students can:

• Complete their core degree

• Develop deep expertise in a major

• AND use 8 flexible subjects to explore another discipline

Example:
Bachelor of Communication & Media

• Major in Digital & Social Media

• Flexible subjects in Public Health
  = Pathway into community health promotion.

Or:
Creative Arts

• Music

• Marketing
  = Indie recording artist with business capability.

This is about flexibility, employability and building degrees around passion + purpose.

It also creates clearer transition from school to university - consistent structure, transparent design.

Not all courses have transitioned yet (science is still evolving), but it’s a significant shift.

Careers Support at University Is Bigger Than You Think

One thing we often don’t see is how much structured career support exists at university.

UOW’s Careers Team offers:

• Career chats (resume, interviews, direction)

• Employer networking events

• Alumni connections

• Mock assessment opportunities (recruitment assessments)

• Work-integrated learning embedded into degrees

• Internships and extended placements ++++

Their employability outcomes are strong:
88%+ employed
88.5% employed within 4 months of graduating

And they emphasised something we talk about constantly:

Qualification + Skills + Experience X Contacts = Employability

Sound familiar? (LEAVERS Passport, anyone?)

Liverpool Campus & What’s Coming

UOW’s Liverpool campus is expanding significantly, particularly in health sciences.

On the horizon:

• Pre-med pathway (likely 2027)

• A proposed Master of Physiotherapy (target 2028)

• Growing health science offerings

This is one to watch for students interested in health pathways closer to Sydney.

Key Programs for Students

Future Me Program

• 90-minute Wednesday after-school sessions

• Or online Thursday 4:30–6pm

• Covers transition, finances, university life

• Applications close 22 February

Coming soon:

• Information Evenings

• Early Admission Workshops

Final Thoughts

The biggest takeaway?

Universities are:

• Listening to student feedback.

• Building flexibility into degrees.

• Embedding career readiness from Year 1.

• Integrating AI thoughtfully.

• Responding to global challenges.

And our job in school is not to predict the future perfectly.

It’s to build adaptable, curious, ethical, skilled young people who can step into it.

More university updates coming this week … UNSW next.

Kate

The Year 12 & HSC Rodeo

For some of you, this isn’t your first HSC rodeo. For others, it might be your very first experience navigating not just Year 12, but the entire education system here in Australia. Either way - we see you, and we’re here to help.

This space is designed especially for you. Each month, we’ll offer quick insight to help you feel informed and confident in the role you play: not as a careers adviser or ATAR expert, but as a steady and supportive guide at the dinner table, in the car, or during those late-night “I don’t know what to do with my life” moments.

This month, we’re introducing UAC (the university application hub for NSW and ACT) and exploring the different study pathways available after the HSC - from uni and TAFE to cadetships, gap years, and beyond.

We know it might feel early to be talking about applications if your child is still trying to find direction, but this is a great time to start or continue the conversation. Have a read through the pathway summaries above and see what sparks your child’s interest. You might be surprised what stands out to them.

For those of you with children who have already popped their destination into sat nav, over the coming months, we will continue working through The Year 12 Careers Checklist and demystifying everything from early entry programs to medicine applications, scholarships and deferring courses to take a gap year.

Types of Degree Options

Let’s be real for a moment - “Just go to uni and get a degree” doesn’t quite cut it anymore. There’s a lot more nuance in choosing what (and where) to study after the HSC. Here’s a quick guide to help make sense of it all.

Types of University Degrees: What’s the Difference?

When students apply to university, they’re choosing between types of degrees - not just courses. The structure of the degree can shape how broad, practical, or specialised their study is.

Liberal Degrees:

These are broad, flexible degrees that allow students to explore different subjects before narrowing their focus. Great for students who have direction, but not a set destination, and are still trying to figure out where their strongest interests lie. Common examples include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce.

Students can major in areas like psychology (through arts & science), politics, biology, economics, philosophy, marketing and more. These degrees also allow students to select electives from different faculties throughout the university and may spark an entirely new interest and passion (and course change). Liberal degrees encourage critical thinking, research skills and adaptability. These degrees are perfect for curious minds, deep thinkers, and students who want options, or might go onto more specialised post-graduate study (law, teaching etc..).

Professional Degrees:

These are job-focused degrees designed to lead straight into a particular profession. They often include placements, accreditations, and strict subject sequences. Common examples include: Education, Engineering, Nursing, Law, Social Work. These degrees are ideal for students who already have a clear career path in mind. That being said, you are not locked in for life. Many a Caringbah student have completely changed direction successful from a professional degree in the past. Professional degrees also come with practical experiences (e.g. prac teaching and hospital placements). This is where students really decide whether they are in the right place or not.

Specialist Degrees

These are highly focused degrees tailored to a specific skillset or industry. They tend to be intensive and less flexible, but deeply immersive. Common examples include Fine Arts, Music, Aviation, Architecture, Design.

Specialist degrees often include auditions, portfolios or additional selection criteria. These are ideal for students with strong interestsin niche or creative fields.

Choosing a University

Students choose their university for a variety of reasons - and it’s not always about prestige or ATAR cut-offs. Here’s what influences that choice:

• Distance from home / relocation options

• Friends or siblings going to the same uni

• Specific campus vibe or culture - ALWAYS head to the Open Days

• Strong reputation in a chosen field (e.g. UTS for design, ANU for politics and UNSW for engineering)

• Scholarships or support programs

• Family legacy or familiarity - yes, perhaps just because you went there!

• Perception of status or reputation (UNSW and USYD are often popular because they’re established, high ranking, and seen as “top tier”) …… but here’s the truth:

A “top” university doesn’t automatically guarantee a top career.

Employers are increasingly looking for:

• Diverse thinking

• Living experience

• Real world skills

• Initiative and adapability

• Unique combinations of study and story

So whether your child studies at Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle, UNE, or somewhere overseas, what they DO with their degree, and who they become along the way - is what really stands out.

Looking Beyond the ATAR

Beyond the Number: Why Universities and Employers are looking at the whole person

As parents, we know our children are more than just a mark on a page. They are creative, resilient, curious, and capable of so much more than what an exam can measure alone. And while we’re proud of their academic effort - especially at a school like Caringbah, where excellence is part of the culture - we also know that not every child thrives under high-pressue exam conditions. The good news? Universities and employers know this too.

Universities are changing how they select students

In the past, university offers were almost entirely ATAR-based. Today we are seeing a huge shift towards holistic selection processes - including:

• Early Entry Schemes (based on Year 11 results, leadership, community contribution etc..)

• Adjustment Factors (recognising subject achievements, disadvantage, location and extra-curriculars)

• Alternate Entry Pathways (personal statements, interviews, portfolios, aptitude tests, school recommendation)

Why the change? Because universities want students who bring more than just academic ability. They want engaged, adaptable, and motivated individuals who will thrive both on campus and in the workforce.

What are employers looking for?

Just like universities, employers are shifting focus too - particularly as technology, AI and automation change the job landscape.

Top skills employers and universities value right now..

• Adaptability - Can you child learn, unlearn, and relearn as industries evolve?

• Resilience - Can they bounce back from set-backs and problem solve under pressue?

• Communication - Can they articulate ideas clearly, collaborate, and build relationships?

• Critical Thinking - Can they analyse, evaluate, and create solutions?

• Digitial Literacy - Can they work with technology confidently?

• Emotional Intelligence - Can they show empathy, self-awareness, and social awareness?

• Initiative and Leadership - Have they taken responsibility or led in any way (big or small)?

• Global and Cultural Awareness - Do they understand how to work with diverse people and perspective?

What does this mean for your child (and for you as a parent)..

The ATAR still plays a role, but it’s not longer the only story.

The focus is shifting to the person behind the mark.. Their story. Their experience. Their potential.

At Caringbah, we are lucky to have a school full of students who are well-rounded, ambitious, and engaged across a wide range of activities and leadership opportunities - inside and outside of the classroom. Your child is already building the kind of future-focused profile that universities and employers love.

The Conversations That Count

As parents, you might be wondering: How do I best support my child through this high pressure season? Whether they know exactly what they want, or are still figuring it out, your role in helping them clarify their strengths, reflect on their experiences, and build a confident life story is incredibly powerful.

Help Them Build Their Life Resume

Behind every strong application is a story… a story of interests, achievements, set-backs, and growth. You can help them by asking guiding questions like:

• What strengths / achievements do you feel most proud of?

• Which experiences have taught you something important about yourself?

• What motivates you? A problem you want to solve, a community you want to help, a skill you want to master?

• Can you think of a time when you didn’t succeed? What did you learn from it?

• What kind of classwork makes time fly?

• Who do you admire, and why?

These are the kinds of reflections that turn a generic application into something memorable.

You might look back at what they did for their Year 10 Mock Interview, talk through the highlights and challenges of their part-time job, or reflect on which parts of school or volunteering they’ve loved most. This builds not just a “resume”, but a richer picture of who they are becoming.

If They Don’t Get the ATAR - Plan B Is Powerful

It’s natural to be focused on results, but it’s important to remember that the ATAR can dictate one pathway, but there are many others. There are so many Plan B options for students who don’t receive their first offer or want to explore other avenues:

• Transferring into courses after first year (with excellent success rates)

• UCAT resit during your undergraduate degree

• Liberal degrees (Arts, Commerce, Science) are flexible starting points

• Gap Year Programs, which offer structure and leadership training

• Short TAFE or online courses that can open new doors, or allow time for reflection

Choosing a different path at first doesn’t mean giving up - it just means finding the right entry point for the journey ahead.

When They Are Still Unsure: Career Mapping Matters

Not every student is ready to lock in their decision just yet … and that’s ok. If you’re child is still unsure, now’s the perfect time for a career mapping conversation - either with Mrs Poppett or Mr Chisholm or at home. You might explore:

• Their MyStrengths Profile

• Informational interviews with interesting people across different professions - family and friends are a great place to start.

• Patterns in what they enjoy - talking to people, solving problems, being creative, helping others.

• Whether they are interested in something niche, or would benefit from starting in a broader degree like Arts, Commerce or Science.

OR MAYBE TRY THIS…..

Cultivating a Challenge Mindset: Passion Through Perspective

Sometimes, the key to understanding your child’s future aspirations isn’t in the classroom… it’s in your kitchen table conversations.

As yourself: What topics light them up, frustrate them, or get them talking passionately at home?

• Do they care deeply about climate change, recycling, or environmental challenges?

• Do they often debate what’s fair, or show an interest in social justice, equity, or human rights?

• Are they animated when discussing politics, global issues, or how communities respond to crisis or war?

• Do they show strong opinions about order, cleanliness, or shared responsibility at home?

• Are they drawn to teamwork, sports, getting outdoors, or physical or mental health?

• Do they get completely absorbed, even lose track of time, when reading, writing or creating stories?

• Do they spend hours designing invitations, editing videos, re-decorating their bedroom or drawing digital art for fun?

These are not just hobbies or distractions. They are clues. Windows into their interests, strengths, passions and possibily their future.

They’re often early signs of challenge mindset - a deep instrinic motivation to fix, build, explore, express, or advocate. This mindset can guide a student toward a pathway that not only aligns with their values, but energises them for the long haul.

Use these moments as conversation starters. Help your child reflect: Why do I care about that? What does this say about me? What would I like to do more of?

This is how we begin shaping a life resume - a narrative of a character, experience, values, and direction. It’s what many universities, scholarships, and employers are looking for… far beyond just academic performance.