University Visits:

At Magdalene, Year 12 students have access to a wealth of resources to help them choose their Post-School pathway. One such resource is the University Lunchtime Visits. So far, representatives from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Torrens University have visited Magdalene and provided information about course availability, early entry and scholarships, along with answering student specific questions. These visits have proved beneficial for the students and we encourage more students to attend the upcoming visits. These include the University of Notre Dame on Friday, 20th June, and the University of Wollongong on Monday, 23rd June.

The 5 Most Important Questions to ask when on Work Experience. (Source: Study Work Grow)

Work experience is one of the best ways to test drive a career and see what working life is really like. But to get the most out of it, you need to do more than just show up and follow instructions. The people around you have years of experience and knowledge that could be incredibly valuable for your future – so here are 5 key questions to ask that will help you make the most of your work experience placement.

What does a typical day actually look like in this role?

Job descriptions can sound pretty formal and boring, but the reality of a job is often quite different. By asking about daily tasks and responsibilities, you’ll get a real picture of what working in this field is like.

You might discover that a marketing job involves way more spreadsheets than you expected, or that being a vet means a lot of paperwork between treating animals. Understanding the day-to-day reality helps you figure out if this career would actually suit your personality and interests.

How does what I’m learning at school connect to this job?

This is a great question to ask because it helps you see the bigger picture of your education. Maybe you’re wondering why you need to study chemistry if you want to work in business, or whether your art classes will actually be useful in a law career.

When you understand these connections, it can help motivate you in subjects that might seem irrelevant right now. Plus, you might discover you need to focus more on certain subjects or pick up new skills to reach your career goals.

What’s the most challenging part of this job, and how do you handle it?

Every job has its tough moments, and it’s better to know about them upfront rather than being surprised later. Maybe it’s dealing with difficult customers, working to tight deadlines, or staying up-to-date with constantly changing technology.

Learning how other people cope with these challenges can give you valuable strategies for handling stress and problems – skills that will be useful in any career path you choose.

How is this industry changing, and what should I be prepared for?

Industries evolve rapidly these days, especially with new technology constantly emerging. The job market your parents entered will look completely different by the time you’re ready to start working.

By understanding where an industry is heading, you can make smarter choices about what to study and which skills to develop. You might learn that certain roles are becoming automated, while new opportunities are opening up in other areas.

What resources or connections would you recommend for someone starting out?

This question can unlock a treasure trove of information. Professionals often know about industry publications, useful websites, professional associations, networking events, or even specific people who could help you learn more.

Building these connections early can give you a huge advantage when you’re ready to apply for jobs or further study. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the field and thinking ahead.

Make the most of your opportunity

Don’t worry about asking “dumb” questions – the people supervising you expect you to be curious and want to learn. Take notes during conversations, ask for contact details if appropriate, and always follow up with a thank you message after your placement ends – you never know when these connections might be helpful in the future.

Unlocking Scholarships: Application Tips and Advice.

( Source: Study Work Grow)

Thinking about your future? Scholarships might seem like something only for the elites, but the reality is that scholarships aren’t just for top athletes or academic superstars. They’re available to students pursuing all sorts of paths, from vocational training to apprenticeships, and they come in more varieties than you might imagine.

Over 1.8 million scholarships awarded every year in the US alone, and a regular high school student could eligible to apply for as many as 50 to 100 scholarships. You read that right – dozens of opportunities could be waiting for you right now. So read on to learn more about scholarships, where to find them, and tips on how to apply.

What exactly are scholarships?

Think of scholarships as free money for your education. Unlike loans, you won’t have to pay scholarships back, making them one of the best ways to fund your future studies and help you to get ahead. They’re essentially financial gifts from organisations, governments, universities, or individuals who want to invest in your potential.

Scholarships can cover anything from a few hundred dollars to full tuition fees, and some even include living expenses, textbooks, or equipment costs. Even a small amount of money could make a big difference to your educational journey.

The benefits go beyond the money

While the financial support is obviously fantastic, many scholarships offer much more than just monetary value. When you receive a scholarship, you’re often joining a community of like-minded people who can become valuable connections throughout your career.

Lots of scholarship programmes also offer mentoring, workshops, internship or other work opportunities, networking events, and access to professional development.

Plus, listing a scholarship on your resume could demonstrate to future employers or universities that you’re someone worth investing in. It shows initiative, achievement, and the ability to successfully navigate competitive processes.

Where to find scholarship opportunities

With so many scholarships out there, a simple Google search might yield an overwhelming amount of results, which means you’ll need to dig a bit deeper. The good news is there are excellent databases and platforms designed specifically to help students like you discover opportunities.

Here are some of the most comprehensive scholarship databases to get you started:

Australia and New Zealand scholarship databases

• Study Work Grow
• StudyAssist Australia
• Universities New Zealand

Global scholarship platforms

• Fastweb – for US domestic students only
• Scholarships.com – find US College scholarships
• UK Scholarships – for students studying in the UK
• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) – for international students wanting to study in the US or Canada
• InternationalScholarships.com – for students from any country
• Scholarships Portal EU – high education scholarships from 47 countries
• Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships – search scholarships in 56 countries
• EduCanada Scholarships – for Canadian and International students

Where else to search

Each university or training organisation usually has their own scholarships page to search, so head directly there to learn about opportunities.

Don’t forget to check with your school’s careers counsellor, local community organisations, and any companies or industries you’re interested in.

And many businesses offer scholarships to students pursuing relevant fields – they often have less competition than national programmes too.

Types of scholarships available

Scholarships come in more varieties than you might expect, and they’re certainly not all about having perfect grades.

Merit-based scholarships

These scholarships primarily recognise academic achievement, but they also consider artistic talent, leadership skills, community service, or exceptional abilities in specific areas.

Need-based scholarships

As the name suggests, these scholarships are designed to help students from families with limited financial resources or facing other barriers to pursue their educational goals.

Field-specific scholarships

These scholarships are aimed at students entering particular industries or study areas, from healthcare and engineering to trades and creative arts.

Identity-based scholarships

These scholarships are designed to support students from specific backgrounds, whether that’s based on ethnicity, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.

Activity-based scholarships

Similar to merit scholarships, these scholarships reward involvement in sports, volunteering, part-time work, or extracurricular activities.

Location-based scholarships

These scholarships are offered to students from particular geographic areas or those planning to study in specific regions.

How to apply for scholarships

It might seem daunting, but breaking your application down into manageable steps makes it much more achievable. Here are some of our tips to simplify the scholarship application process.

Invest your time

Research your options, be prepared to submit separate applications and take the time to tailor each one and make it unique.

Start early and stay organised

Create a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and application progress. Millions of dollars in scholarships remain unclaimed because students fail to apply for them, often simply due to missed deadlines.

Read the criteria carefully

Make sure you are eligible before spending time on an application. Pay attention to details like age requirements, field of study, and geographic restrictions.

Double check how and when applications need to be submitted, if you have the necessary technology, whether you need to submit copies of verified paperwork, and what might be expected from you if you’re awarded a particular scholarship.

Tell your story authentically

Scholarship committees want to understand who you are beyond your grades. Share your experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, goals you’re working towards, and why this particular opportunity matters to you.

Have strong references

Choose referees who know you well and can speak specifically about your character, achievements, or potential. Give them plenty of notice and provide them with information about the scholarship and why you’re applying.

Proofread everything

Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors can seriously damage your application. Ask someone else to review your application before submitting it.

Tips to maximise your scholarship chances

With so many opportunities out there, what are your chances of actually receiving one? They might be higher than you think…

Apply widely but strategically

Around 1 in 8 students receive a scholarship, but your odds improve significantly with each quality application you submit. Focus on scholarships where you genuinely meet all the criteria rather than applying randomly.

Look for niche opportunities

Smaller very specific scholarships may have fewer applicants. That scholarship for LGBTIQA+ students studying veterinary science might have much better odds than the generic academic excellence award.

Don’t count yourself out

Around 30% of scholarships are given to students with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.4, and 5% are awarded to students with a GPA lower than 2.4. Many scholarship donors value character, potential, and other factors over perfect grades.

Scholarships exist for non-university paths

You can also secure scholarships for vocational training, apprenticeships, short courses, and other educational pathways, so don’t limit yourself to thinking scholarships are only for university degrees if you plan on taking a different pathway.

Reapply if and when possible

Some scholarships are renewable or allow multiple applications. So even if you’re unsuccessful initially, you might succeed in future rounds as your experience and qualifications grow.

The bottom line

Scholarships represent a great investment in your future in the time and effort in applying versus potential reward. With hundreds of thousands of opportunities available and a vast range of eligibility criteria for them, there’s likely funding out there that could help make your educational dreams more affordable.

Our tops tips for students looking for scholarships are:

1. Do the research and start looking now
2. Be organised and prepared to invest the time do each application as well as you can
3. Remember that scholarships aren’t just for the top 1% of students

Mrs Dallene Jones