From the Careers Department

Ms Julie Stephenson
Careers & VET Coordinator

SAC’S scientist and researcher!

James Moore Memorial Prize in Palaeontology

James Moore (1990–2014) was a dedicated young Flinders University scientist originally from Whyalla. His passion was palaeontology, the study of fossils. James became hooked on fossils as a high-school student after he grasped an opportunity to participate in Flinders palaeontology expeditions to collect the bones of ancient megafauna. He loved the thrill of travelling to remote sites and back through time to discover remains of weird and wonderful animals from Australia’s past. James was passionate about helping school students to learn about Australian fossils and encouraging them to interact with scientists and become involved in research.

In honour of James, Flinders University established the James Moore Memorial Prize in Palaeontology in 2015 for rural South Australian high-school students. Each year two prizes are awarded, one for a regional student and one for a metropolitan student. We are excited to congratulate Year 10 student Sara Roesler who was awarded the metropolitan student prize for 2022 after submitting a wonderful application explaining why palaeontology is important. Sara won $400 and opportunity to participate in a 7-10 day field trip to Wellington Caves in NSW alongside staff and students from Flinders University. Congratulations Sara, a fabulous achievement!

Congratulations to Year 10 student Sara Roesler who was awarded the metropolitan student prize for 2022!

Upcoming Open Days information:

Making a decision about study or training after school is not an easy one. Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate degree or a course through a registered training organisation, it’s a good idea to do plenty of research before you decide on which option will suit you best.

Open days allow you to explore courses and to find out about options you may not be familiar with. If you are undecided which route to take, you can gain a better understanding of which is best suited to you and what you will achieve at the end of it.

Ask about the structure of the course: what are the compulsory components? Do they offer the optional units that are necessary for your career path?

It’s recommended that you sit through at least a couple of subject talks, where you should be able to narrow down your options by finding out more about the department’s teaching practice.

Questions to think about include:

Does teaching incorporate enough of a practical element for you?
What does the department/course aim to equip its graduates with?
How is the course assessed?
What’s the proportion of teaching time versus independent study?
Are there opportunities for placement, internships and/or overseas study?

Talk to current students and find out what it’s like to study at a particular university, they are most likely to give you an accurate firsthand account.

If you’re happy with the course, and the students and staff seem friendly, ask yourself; can I settle here for the next few years? Do I like the place? Is it somewhere I can see myself and enjoy? What appeals to me about the environment?

Only you can decide what is the right fit, so make your decisions based on sound research!

Ms Julie Stephenson
Careers & VET Coordinator