Speech Pathologists are health professionals who work with children and adults with communication difficulties caused by congenital or developmental problems, illness and disease, and emotional or physical trauma. These difficulties include problems with speaking, understanding what people say, reading, writing, voice problems and stuttering. Speech Pathologists also work with children and adults who have swallowing difficulties or need alternative, non-verbal ways to communicate.

What tasks do Speech Pathologists perform?

  • Administer tests and observe patients to determine the nature and extent of disorders.
  • Plan and conduct programs of remedial exercises to correct disorders such as stuttering and abnormal articulation.
  • Administer individual and group therapy for rehabilitation of patients with communication problems.
  • Advise on treatment for children with difficulties in learning to speak.
  • Counsel and guide language-handicapped individuals, their families, teachers and employers.

Where do Speech Pathologists work?

Speech Pathologists work in hospitals, community health centres, special schools and classes (such as for children with hearing impairment or autism), in rehabilitation centres, and in private practice. The largest employer of speech pathologists in NSW is the Department of Health.

What can I study? 

To work as a Speech Pathologist, you will need to complete a Bachelor- or Masters-level qualification that has been accredited by Speech Pathology Australia.

A Project Manager leads project planning and manages the team responsible for the project’s delivery. Project Managers coordinate all the many moving parts that make a project successful, from ideation through to completion. Project managers help organisations deliver new products, services and infrastructure. They manage and implement new systems and processes and they effect change within organisations. 

What tasks do Project Managers perform?

The project manager is the bridge between management, stakeholders and the teams tasked with the actual execution of the project. They make sure the project plan is sound, report regularly on its progress and monitor it to ensure that its execution stays within the approved budget and schedule.

Where do Project Managers work?

Any project has a life cycle that requires the oversight and leadership of a project manager. This means that project managers work in virtually all fields including; software development, IT, human resources, construction, advertising and marketing. 

What can I study? 

Complete a Certificate level or Bachelor’s level qualification, for example the Bachelor of Project Management at the University of Sydney or a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice. Visit the Australian Institute of Project Management for a complete list of accredited courses. On Wednesday 21 July, The University of Sydney is hosting a webinar title ‘Careers in project management’. See the Events section for details.

Human Resource Manager  

Human Resource (HR) Managers create, manage and coordinate strategies, policies, programs and systems that ensure ongoing suitability of staff within an organisation, as well as concentrating on staff wellbeing.

What tasks do HR Managers perform?

Recruit new staff members, manage performance and reviews of current staff, including remuneration. Coordinate learning and development opportunities for individuals and groups within the organisation. Address workplace complaints or conflicts, in addition to organising counselling or support for staff members.

Where do Human Resource Managers work?

HR managers work within an organisation. The size of the organisation will determine the scope of practice for the manager’s role. In larger organisations, HR managers may focus on a particular area, for example, recruiting and training new staff. Learn more about Human Resources here.

What can I study? 

Complete an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management or major in Human Resources through a Commerce/Business degree.

A sonographer performs specialised diagnostic examinations using high frequency ultrasound (sonography). People may require ultrasound scans for a range of conditions from pregnancy to more complex health conditions as prescribed by their health practitioner.

What services do Sonographers provide?

Sonography can be used to examine many parts of the body. This makes it very useful for diagnosing, and guiding management for a range of medical conditions. For more information see here

Where do Sonographers work?

Sonographers work across a range of health settings including public and private hospitals, clinics and community health centres. 

What can I study? 

Complete an undergraduate degree in Medical Radiation Science, then complete a recognised post graduate qualification such as a Masters of Medical Imaging and clinical training of up to 2,200 hours or three days per week over two years. 

Forensic Scientist 

Forensic Science is a mixture of chemistry and criminology. A forensic scientist’s job is to visit crime scenes and collect evidence, then study and interpret it in a lab, and even present findings to police or in court. They can help to determine who was involved in a crime and how it happened.

Do I suit a career in forensic science?

Becoming a forensic scientist could be perfect for you if you’re inquisitive, a great problem solver, have a mind for science, and are okay with examining crime scenes and remains. 

Where do forensic scientists work?

In a lab or on a crime scene. The opportunities are vast because most forensic sciences are underpinned by more traditional sciences like chemistry, biology and physics. For example, a bloodstain pattern analyst uses the understanding of fluid dynamics and trigonometry to recreate how a bloodshed event may have occurred, while a digital forensic analyst might comb through the metadata of deleted or modified files on a drug dealer’s mobile.

What can I study? 

You could study a Bachelor of Forensic Science, for example at UTS. You could also study a Bachelor of Applied Science in Forensic Studies at The University of Canberra (UC). 

Market research analysts collect, process and analyse data to assist in the marketing of products and services. They conduct research on a topic, product or service using design surveys, questionnaires and other methods for obtaining data. They may also conduct one-on-one interviews or focus groups, and undertake administrative tasks.

What do market research analysts do?

  • Plan, develop and organise advertising policies and campaigns to support sales objectives.
  • Advise executives and clients on advertising strategies and campaigns to reach target markets; create consumer awareness and effectively promotes the attributes of goods and services.
  • Co-ordinate production of advertising campaigns.
  • Analyse data regarding consumer patterns and preferences.
  • Interpret and predict current and future consumer trends.
  • Research potential demand and market characteristics for new goods and services, as well as collecting and analysing the data and other statistical information.

Where do market research analysts work?

Most industries use market research. Therefore, analysts are employed throughout the economy. Market research analysts can work individually or as part of a team, collecting, analysing, and presenting data. For example, some analysts may work with graphic designers and artists to create charts, graphs, and infographics summarising the research and findings.

What can I study? 

You usually need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business and management, management and commerce, psychology or another related field to work as a Market Research Analyst.

Urban Planning   

Professional urban, regional and environmental planners are playing an increasing role in ensuring we live in more sustainable and vibrant communities. 

What personal qualities are required of planners?

  • Interested in social, economic, environmental and cultural issues
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Able to produce detailed and accurate work
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Patient and logical

What do planners do?

They advise on the economic, environmental, social and cultural needs of particular localities or regions as they relate to the built environment and the community. They also work on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links.

A career in planning can provide you with an opportunity to work in a particular area of interest such as; environmental planning, sustainable development, management of natural resources, urban design, heritage conservation, assessment of development proposals, planning law, transport planning, major event planning, regional and rural planning, community development or social planning.

Where do planners work?

Planners can work in local, state and federal government, in consultant firms, property development organisations, private companies, and other organisations including community groups and universities. For information about careers with local council, visit careers at council. 

What can I study? 

You need the right qualifications to practice as a planner. The Planning Institute of Australia has a list of approved tertiary courses. 

Technology Degrees   

There are many technology degrees to suit a range of interests including, artificial intelligence, computer graphics and animation, computer systems and networks, cybersecurity, data science, design and user experience and software engineering.

What is data science?

Data Science involves the study an application of techniques to capture, store, organise and analyse data. 

Consider a career as a data scientist

Data scientists draw on mathematics, statistics, computer science, computational analysis and database creation. They often process raw data (text, images, audio files and videos) into more easily accessible visualisations and charts and use complex modelling to generate predictive insights. 

Where do data scientists work?

Many industries employ data scientists. For example, a data scientist within a corporation might use sales data to identify target markets for a new product, while a government data scientist might collaborate with epidemiologists to model the spread of a new disease! 

What can I study? 

You could complete a degree in science or computer science with a major in data science and Western Sydney University has launched a new degree, the Bachelor of Data Science.  

Completing a science degree gives graduates a wide variety of job opportunities in a range of industries including agriculture, food and agribusiness, conservation, resources and sustainability, government, defence and law, health, medicine and psychology, veterinary and animal sciences. Visit the University of Sydney’s website for the complete article.  

What job opportunities are there?

Biotechnologist, dietician, soil scientist, marine biologist, science communicator, environmental scientist, policy officer, food and water safety, forensic science technician, pharmaceuticals, pathologist, biomedical device designer, neuroscientist, computer scientist, wildlife ecology, molecular geneticist, reproductive technologist. For more information on these jobs visit job outlook. 

Consider a career in Life Sciences

Life Scientists examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of humans, animals, plants and other living organisms to better understand how living organisms function and interact with each other and the environment in which they live. 

Where can I study? 

The University of New South Wales offers a Bachelor of Life Sciences. Also consider a Bachelor of Science degree and select from a range of majors.  

Completing a mathematical sciences major or degree gives graduates a wide variety of job opportunities. Mathematics is involved in just about every job in some way, and it’s particularly essential in the in-demand fields of science, finance and technology. The analytical and quantitative skills you learn will serve you well in any career you pursue.

What job opportunities are there?

The jobs available to maths graduates are very diverse, for example, actuary, computer programmer, data scientist, information security analyst, operations analyst, statistician, business intelligence analyst. For more information on these jobs visit job outlook. 

What industries can I work in?

Finance, Business, Education, Government, Technology, Engineering, Consulting. 

Who could I work for? 

ASIO, Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Morgan Stanley, E&Y, Google, Westpac, Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, Science and Technology Australia.