VCE Results Are Coming: Understanding Your ATAR and Finding the Right Pathway
Course and Career Chat
VCE results are released tomorrow, and whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or a mix of both, this episode is here to support you. Even though we all know ATARs aren’t the most important thing in the long run, they do feel important right now — and that’s completely normal. In this short pep talk, I explain why your ATAR is simply a piece of data that helps you make your next step, not a measure of your worth, potential, or future success. You’re allowed to celebrate if you’re proud of your results, and you’re allowed to feel disappointed if they’re not what you expected. I...
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What Year 12 Students Should Do Before VCE Results: How to Finalise VTAC Preferences
Course and Career Chat
Now that VCE exams are finished, it’s time for Year 12 students to prepare their VTAC preference list before results are released next week. In this episode, I explain why finalising preferences early leads to better choices, how to set up your list with dream courses and pathways, and what to do if you still have no idea what you want to study next year. Timestamps: 1:30 — What to do after VCE exams 4:45 — Why you should finalise VTAC preferences before results 8:30 — What to do if you don’t know what you want to study Links: Work with me: VTAC dates:
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Why ATAR Goals Can Backfire — A Healthier Way to Approach VCE Goal Setting
Course and Career Chat
In this episode, I share why setting goals around a specific ATAR or study score can actually increase stress, reduce motivation and lead to burnout. Inspired by Dr Emily on The Imperfects Podcast, we explore a healthier approach to VCE goal setting — one that focuses on future pathways, not numbers students can’t fully control. Timestamps: 1:48 — Why I’ve never liked ATAR-based goals 3:55 — Dr Emily’s take on goal setting 5:20 — Why students burn out when they chase a number 8:20 — How to create healthier, more meaningful VCE goals Links: Work with me: The Imperfects Podcast...
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Why VCE Feels So Confusing for Parents — And How to Get the Information You Actually Need
Course and Career Chat
In this episode, I share how trying to navigate my son’s cricket club with zero information helped me understand exactly how parents feel when their child starts VCE. You’ll hear why VCE feels so overwhelming, why schools often don’t communicate clearly, and how understanding the system helps you make better decisions about VCE subjects, tertiary pathways and supporting your teen through Year 11 and 12. Timestamps: 0:45 — Trying to start cricket with no information 6:11 — Why VCE parents feel lost 10:24 — How I support families through VCE Links: Work with me: The Parents’ Guide...
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How to Choose the Right VCE Subjects, Tertiary Courses and Career Pathways (and Stop Cutting Off Your Options)
Course and Career Chat
Choosing VCE subjects and planning a tertiary pathway can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re worried about closing off future options. In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I share stories of four students who were unintentionally limiting their choices because of assumptions about what they could or couldn’t do. You’ll hear how, once they had the right information, they were able to make informed decisions about their VCE subjects, courses, and career pathways — and feel confident about their next steps. Timestamps: 1:00 – Penny’s story: Exploring creative careers...
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The Truth About ATAR Focused Tutoring Ads: Why They Feed VCE Anxiety (and What Really Helps)
Course and Career Chat
You’ve seen the tutoring ads — the ones bragging about all their tutors getting ATARs over 99, studying medicine or law, or being dux of their schools. These ads drive me crazy because they completely miss the point. In this episode, I explain why high ATARs don’t make someone a good tutor, how tutoring companies lean into a broken VCE system, and why they make promises they can’t keep. Most importantly, I’ll share how students can actually beat ATAR anxiety by finding their own path — no matter what results they get. 4:02 – Doing well in school doesn’t make someone a good...
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Becoming a Counsellor: Tamara’s Journey from a Bachelor of Arts to a Master of Counselling at Deakin University
Course and Career Chat
In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I talk with Tamara, who is currently studying a Master of Counselling at Deakin University. She shares her journey from completing a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and History) to discovering her passion for supporting others through counselling. We discuss what it’s really like to study counselling at postgraduate level, the difference between counselling and psychology, and the career opportunities available after a Master of Counselling in Australia. If you’re thinking about a career change into counselling, or wondering how to become...
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Should You Drop a VCE Subject?
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...
info_outline![How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 3 [What Are You Really Good At?] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/36639765?height=50&width=50)
How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 3 [What Are You Really Good At?]
Course and Career Chat
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...
info_outline![How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 2 [What's Your Favourite Subject and What Do You Like About It?] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/36531590?height=50&width=50)
How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 2 [What's Your Favourite Subject and What Do You Like About It?]
Course and Career Chat
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...
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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