From the Careers Department

We often talk about choosing careers which allow our Ignatian graduates to actively live out their values, such as serving the local community and our larger society. Recently, I enjoyed the invitation to witness two amazing opportunities for our young adults to do so, in a way which is both very rewarding personally, but also an integral aspect of maintaining a civil society. Earlier this month I was very lucky to be chosen to attend the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Open Day and tour Royal Military College Duntroon. The trip was designed to educate career practitioners in the many and varied careers in the three sectors of the Australian Defence Forces, and see firsthand, the facilities at UNSW at ADFA, and RMC Duntroon. A highlight of the trip was seeing so many passionate young men and women who are training to serve our country in vital areas such as Cyber Security, Engineering and Diplomacy, whilst developing valuable leadership skills. A bonus of studying at ADFA is the opportunity to be paid a generous salary whilst gaining a HECS free degree, with the security of knowing that you will have a guaranteed employment at the end of one’s degree. What was surprising is that the life of an ADFA student is very much the same as any other uni student in Australia, with plenty of downtime and opportunities for co-curricular sports and fun with friends. A typical day starts with some military education / PT from about 8-10am then uni lectures and tutorials which finish up at about 4pm. Students are then free to enjoy the gym or co-curricular sports, study, hang out with their friends at night, or chill off campus. Whilst the archetypal military stereotype of flying a plane or diving to disarm a bomb sounds exciting to some, the reality is that many of these young men and women will be working in logistics, on peace keeping missions, in aid relief and in maintaining national security in areas such as cyber security. If any of our students are interested in pathways into ADFA please let me know and I will make a booking with our local ADF recruitment officers in Adelaide, Tahlia, Rosa and Warrick.

Last week I attended a similar day at the Fort Largs Police Academy which was designed to showcase the many roles in policing in SA where I was able to meet some very cute SAPOL members (in the form of Police dogs and horses!) and watch recruits in training drills. Also on display was the STAR group’s Bearcat armoured vehicle, the bomb disposal robots and the latest in crime fighting technology, the Drones. Contrary to popular belief, SAPOL are happy to recruit students straight from school, which could be a great transition for those who are looking for a rewarding career which also has a community service element. SAPOL are looking for (relatively!) fit young adults who are keen to serve the community and who are looking for an active career with plenty of variety. It was especially exciting to catch up with Old Ignatian Lara Girolamo (Class of 2019) who is currently attending the Academy. We wish Lara well on her last months of study at the academy!

Join Rising Sun for their Visual Effects Career Information Session and discover what it takes to step into the global visual effects (VFX) industry, and work on cutting-edge Hollywood films. Josh McCarthy, Senior Lecturer in VFX, Film and Television at UniSA, and Anna Hodge, Manager, Training and Education at Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) will be covering VFX undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, how to apply, as well as what it’s like to study at RSP. You’ll also hear first-hand from current students and recent graduates now employed as artists at RSP.

Date: Tuesday, 5th September
Session Times: 6:00-6:30pm, 6:45-7:15pm and 7:30-8:00pm
Venue: New Education Training Rooms at RSP

From 2024, RSP in partnership with UniSA, are expanding their program offerings in VFX to include a Bachelor of Visual Effects, Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects and Graduate Certificate in 3D Animation. These new programs are offered alongside the already established Bachelor of Film and Television, Graduate Certificates in Dynamic Effects and Lighting and Compositing and Tracking. Registration is essential, scan the QR code or book your spot here: https://bit.ly/3YCNTfh

In honour of National Skills Week last week, we connected with Old Scholars Gianni and Hugo who are excelling in VET careers.

Gianni Barone's (Class of 2019) remarkable journey in Electrotechnology has earned him recognition as one of South Australia's top 4th Year TAFE apprentices. His dedication and hard work are truly commendable. Currently employed at Protec Electrical, Gianni's commitment shines through. Equipped with a White Card and Working at Heights Permit, he's on the path to becoming a certified electrician. His role encompasses diverse tasks, including custom home projects and solar installations, demonstrating his ability to transform concepts into reality.

Gianni's advice: Stick it out in your first year, tackle complex challenges, and the rewards will follow. He's a true testament to hard work paying off! Now, let's catch up with Hugo Porter (Class of 2022) Hugo is carving a niche in 2nd fix carpentry, showcasing his craftsmanship at Deen Constructions.

Hugo's journey commenced with a Certificate II in Construction Pathways during Year 11, followed by Advanced Carpentry training in Year 12. Guided by a hands-on approach, he gravitated towards carpentry, finding immense satisfaction in his work. Despite early mornings and extended hours, Hugo has found a fulfilling routine in his profession.Hugo's advice?

Look after your health, explore different trades, and dive into the world of opportunities. His incredible support from teachers, especially Ms McDonald, shaped his path.

These stories underscore the potential of VET pathways to lead to remarkable careers. Let's celebrate Gianni and Hugo's achievements and continue to shine a spotlight on the outstanding accomplishments of our former students!

This is a great time to find casual employment for the Christmas Holidays! We currently have several employers looking for hard working Ignatians to fill their vacancies!

Myst Hair and Beauty, Walkerville. Seeking a casual for nights and Saturdays. See the job advertisement on the Careers’ Office window. Contact Ms Natalie Parker on management@mysthairandbeauty.com.au

The Beach House, Glenelg. Several positions available Join The Team! - The Beachouse

Café Va Bene, Campbeltown. Contact Larah Cali on cafevabeneemployment@gmail.com

Lisa McDonald
Vocational Services Coordinator