CODE CAREERSwithSTEM
Jobs where art and computer science collide p22
TERM 4, 2018
What is universal design and why it matters p28
15
digital skills to master (and they’re not what you think) p42
BUILD YOUR FUTURE
5th
birthday issue!
CAREERSWITHSTEM.COM >AI FOR HIRE<
>SOCIAL IMPACT<
>CREATIVE INDUSTRIES<
>TECH MENTORS<
BUILD A CAREER OF THE FUTURE WITH IT AT MELBOURNE
Are you passionate about AI, robotics and the technologies shaping our everyday lives? With IT at Melbourne, you can create solutions for a smarter, more productive and liveable tomorrow. From creating software that helps predict bushfires, to safeguarding our world from cyber attack, to interpreting data to treat disease - the possibilities are endless.
Melbourne School of Engineering
University of Melbourne
#1
in Australia for engineering and technology*
At the University of Melbourne, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be learning from world leading experts. Our courses are designed to help you develop advanced technical expertise and professional skills that wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t date in a rapidly evolving industry. Gain valuable industry experience through internships and industry projects. Start building your career of the future with IT at Melbourne.
Discover more:
eng.unimelb.edu.au/build-a-career
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018 | CRICOS: 00116K
>FOREWORD<
Where e c n e i c s r e t u comp can take you e going to be totally new, Many of tomorrow’s jobs ar your digital know-how but most of them will need ence
65% of children entering primary school today will work in jobs that don’t even exist yet, and 92% of future jobs will require digital skills”
computer sci see it, but technology and ou might not be able to ry. Ar tificia l ovation in every indust (CS) are at the heart of inn gnosis for heart, dia in g to breakt hroughs intelligence (AI) is leadin n-source, ope e’s ogl Go ile drones and brain and eye disease, wh l to the conser vation work TensorFlow is critica Careerswithstem.com machine learning frame at Barrier Reef. cies of animals on the Gre >> O nitor climate rder copies from $1. mo to a dat sor of dugongs and other spe sen and 95 use mapping tools es to iqu iety hn soc tec s ng ble rni ena lea gy >> Access free teac Technolo ile advanced machine wh s, he cie r spe d ere ang rt of the notes & Posters change, and to protect end s put the viewer at the hea eractive art instal lation and >> gy F ind STudy path olo hn tec of ion ect can detect ban k fraud. Int e inters quizzes + more s, is being created by AI. Th ny ma ers off rld wo experience, and new art the d un ple are try ing to solve aro the tough cha llenges peo s. eer car g ry opport unities for excitin of children entering prima um estimates that 65%* ure fut of ** 92% The World Economic For ile yet, wh jobs that don’t even exist school today wil l work in dents graduating today stu t tha d ate im est It’s lls. ski l ita dig e uir jobs wil l req to 30 jobs! career transitions and 20 wil l have bet ween eight at job you wil l have in wh you today can tell The rea lity is that no-one company you’ll work , or even the name of the five or 10 years from now e didn’t even exist, from high school, Googl d ate du gra I en Wh ld. for, or bui uld be doing today. cou ld predict what I wo and there was no way I ustries wil l continue to ind and s is that new job One thing that’s cer tain asingly tre of every industry: echnological and digital skills are incre lves and becomes the cen is list the … emerge as technology evo do art , how But ion in demand for all areas of work. dicine, mining, conser vat you as pen agricu lture, finance, me hap l like? wil look It jobs s. these you get there, and what do pen in disciplinary silo ut end less. Work won’t hap with Code ing you are passionate abo eth som nd The jam-packed fifth issue of Careers ble you en wh solve problems, or you need skills . what new out find ally to tot track is your fastsomething wit h technology to create 2018 you wil l be how to de (CS); Co ce h scien wit uter rs comp ree in rs Ca caree of for es My hope is that in the pag , whether rking in these fields. design your career; and where to start by the people who are wo ged llen cha and ed r fut ure pir you ins for you’re ity path un study ort ime opp full-t a it’s after-school or you might see the In reading their stories ether, and s; how tog heroe gy goal olo CS hn their tec meet and teens n after. Plus, r passio – a career that merges you most CS applies to your world ; the best-paid, pletely new. leads to something com hubs are in-demand careers; and how new tech nager Ma ach tre world to the Ou in s & place ity ing un amaz creating the most gineering Comm Sally-Ann Williams, En .com STEM with EERS CAR at more work. Find Zea land Google Australia & New
Y
what is
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SOU RCE: *WO RLD ECO NOM
2030 IC FOR UM; **AU STRA LIA
careers with stem?
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CODE
>UPFRONT<
The future is made witricht yocu tooadcaereer
Coding doesn’t rest nces the skills in technology: it enhaready have and interests you al
e. It has echnology is everywher impacts tra nsformed our lives, and re to ltu icu agr m fro every industry, dicine, me n, atio ort nsp tra e, financ nt. fashion, and entertainme y is hidden. log hno tec s thi But a lot of mming that gra Computer science is vital, whether you You might not see the pro cts in effe l cia spe want to cure cancer, fight climate change, goes into rendering behind your protect the world from cyber attacks movies, the algorithms chine lea rning ma or unlock the secrets of the universe! the es, gam ite our fav recognition No matter what you want to do, a solid models that ma ke voice t drive tha s tion foundation of computational thinking ula sim the or work, and coding will help you achieve it. scientific research. that I didn’t My research is in a field s at school. Nicky Ringland, Australian Computing know existed when I wa code that to Academy and Grok Learning rnt It wasn’t until I lea ies ilit sib pos of h adt bre the I rea lised coding wit h combining technolog y and s. add up... stic gui my passion: lin The numbers DON’T puter and com a h wit y onl ed Arm you can an internet connection, tic to tas fan ing eth create som tters ma t tha m ble pro a ve sol to you. And we have big s deca de in the tech sector thi problems to solve! nu mber of new jobs
SOURCE: *AUSTRALIAN COMPUTER SOCIETY
T
Find out more aca.edu.au groklearning.com
100,000 49,500 but on ly...
gra duati ng students
to fill them!?*
BUILD YOUR FUTURE IN TECH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND Your career in tech can take you in many directions. Whether your interest is coding, data analytics, software engineering, systems design, creating your own tech startup or something else, we have a study pathway for you. You can even combine your interests with a conjoint programme and give yourself more career options. You can build your future in tech at the University of Auckland no matter what that future will be.
auckland.ac.nz/techfuture
>CODE+EVERYTHING<
! e r e h s t r a t s Your career a job path waiting for you! e’s er th d an ion ss pa ur yo th wi Combine computer science ut down that gaming controller… we’ve got
P
news. What you’re holding is part of the computer science (CS) world. But playing games is just a small part of what CS is about.
Animal rescue FIELD : CS+Conservationining biodiversity PROBLEM SOLVED : Reta a Zoo, Darcie
officer at Tarong As a community campaigns life Witness the development of the Wild Carruthers was involved in Asia. al wildlife trade in Southeast app. The aim? To stop illeg the is , the illegal wildlife trade “Behind habitat destruction cies’ survival,” she says. spe second biggest threat to work wildlife trade monitoring net Taronga has partnered with ply snap sim rs Use life. Witness app to TRAFFIC to bring the Wildlife send and tion loca the pin e witnessed, an image of what they hav C. FFI TRA at lyst Ana life Crime the information to the Wild 400 Sumatran tiger, fewer than the as h suc cies “For spe vidual indi ry eve ans me is “Th cie. individuals remain,” says Dar gy is nolo t species. Innovative tech is critical to the future of tha ld.” wor our t understand and protec essential for how we better
Protect the pla net: wi ldl ifewitness.net
Building blocks
SHUTTERSTOCK/AUTODESK
FIELD : CS+Architecture t, sustainable buildings PROBLEM SOLVED : Smr atararchitect firm i2C, knows all about directo Anthony Merlin, managing main programs using CS to do it. “One of the and life bringing buildings to l tool than simple he says. “It’s a more powerfu we use is Autodesk Revit,” flexible, parametric ction. We can build smart, drafting – it’s virtual constru calculate quantities which can then be used to elements that contain data s to a budget.” us accurately design building and cost estimates to help ntists to help ady employs computer scie The architecture world alre and building ign des data that helps the overall code, program and gather tly. process work more efficien , programming, massive difference to costing a king “Technology is ma n, accuracy, acture, time of constructio visualisation, staging, manuf ation and imis min te was , management building maintenance and s. sustainability,” Anthony say
Bu ild the futu re: bit.ly/CwCautodesk
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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Doctor, doctor
Go team! FIE
FIELD: CS+Medicine PROBLEM SOLVED: Personalising medicine
LD : CS+Sports PROBLEM SOLVED : Bette r spor
ts data Champion sports teams nee d champion tech to stay ahe ad of the competition. Sure, you’ve got athletes out on the field, the pitch or the court running around doing their thing, but stats and digital info are becom ing increasingly important. Enter Aussie company Cha mpion Data, the leading sta ts experts in the AFL. Over the last 17 years, Cha mpion Data has developed every kind of stat collection you could imagin e with the aim of helping AFL club s break down plays, get microscopic inte l on player movements, and decipher ball movement. This type of data helps tea ms hone their game plan to be bet ter, stronger and more precise on the fiel d. And guess who puts it all together? Coders. Check out the data co bit.ly/Cha mpDATAvidllection in action:
It’s an incredible time to be in tech. AI is changing every industry, including medicine.”
Dr Liviu Constantinescu, principal software engineer at Genome.One, did his dad a favour and solved a few tech problems for a research group, not realising he’d end up with a job offer helping to save lives. As part of the crew building rare disease sequencing and high-end genomics at Genome.One, Liviu has used CS to provide clinical products not available anywhere else in the world, to serve patients and research participants with critical health data. When you take medication, there are side effects. “They’re intended for a generic person kind of like you,” Liviu explains. “If we read your genome, we might find a drug better tailored to you.” The ability to ‘sequence’ the human genome is of huge benefit to the medical world. “It’s an incredible time to be in tech,” Liviu says. “AI is changing every industry, including medicine.”
Get study savvy: bit.ly/CSplusGarvan
Breaking barriers
FIELD : CS+Social good PROBLEM SOLVED : Helpi ng ot
he
rs Web developer and animato r Daniel Harris describes him self as a nerdy, hard-of-hearing guy who is passionate about all thin gs related to technology and science. “I’ve been pas sionate about computers from a young age,” he says. However, programm ing wasn’t his first love. “I did n’t have the patience for it,” Daniel say s. But a successful website bui ld gave him the confidence to find out where coding might take him. Now Daniel solves complex programming or coding issu es through his work at The Salvation Army. “It’s exciting to follow the developments in programming languages over time.” Beyond his day job, Daniel has experienced the potent ial tech has to transform lives. “Taking adv antage of the technology ava ilable to hard-of-hearing people is so important,” he says. “Coding is richly rew arding.” – Pippa Duf fy Learn about how to do good: sa lvos.org.au
MATCH IT UP! There are careers in computer science that haven’t even been invented yet See if you can match these (faux) future job titles to the industry they’ll exist in (we’ve done the first one for you)…
“75% of today’s students wil l use STEM skil ls in their ca reers.”
JOB TITLE Feather-print analyst Bounceologist Fundraising systems programmer
INDUSTRY Spor t In frastr uctu re Conser vation
DNA-veloper
Char ity
Virtual block blogger
Medicine
PWC AUSTRALIA
ANSWERS: Feather-print analyst/Conservation • Bounceologist/Sport • Fundraising systems programmer/Charity • DNA-veloper/Medicine • Virtual block blogger/Infrastructure
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CODE
>CODE+GOOGLE<
CS+design =better products Marie-Claire Dean
duct many of us use s design manager for a pro arie-Claire Dean is Google’ it’s a real thrill to – t duc ps is an iconic pro every day: Google Maps. “Ma says. she g,” usin people talking about and deliver something you see r interface (UI) use in king wor to entional journey Marie-Claire had an unconv moving towards ing and interpreting before design. She studied translat earch. computational linguistics res computer science (CS ) and started appreciating and is ign des nt orta imp “During that time I learnt how tware scene. In the sof very exciting time to join the UI,” she explains. “This is a years.” 500 last re advancement than in the next 10 years, we’ll see mo t sounds tha ing eth som ’t be afraid of diving into Marie-Claire’s advice? Don unik Fed ject going. – Larissa hard and to keep a side pro
M
anslating bachelor of arts (tr asters and interpreting)/m rsity of science (CS), unive of east anglia Design manager, Atlassian
omputer PhD, (AI and human-c rsity interaction), Unive of East Anglia Design manager, Google
! N O I S S A P R U O GET INTO CS+Y
le mputer science jobs at Goog co m ea dr ir the d lan to ths have taken different pa Four tech-savvy individuals
CS+volunteering=big impact Joël Kalmanowicz
LAUREN TROMPP *CAREERSWITHSTEM.COM.AU/WOMEN-IN-STEM-FIELDS
I
n between hanging out at the beach in his sunny hometowns of Pukalani, Hawaii, and later Mullumbimby, NSW, Joël Kalmanowicz got interested in computers by modding his family’s PC games when he was homeschooled. He dreamed of becoming a videogame designer, but realised “building one game doesn’t change anyone’s life”. Joël got his start with Google through the Associate Product Manager program, which provides opportunities to top university graduates who, with extra support and training, become skilled product managers. As product manager for Google’s Maps APIs, Joël works on integrating maps and street view into other apps. The Uber app, for example, uses Google Maps to help riders and drivers connect. At Google, Joël has been able to use his computer science skills on projects that matter. Lending his talents to American humanitarian non-profit organisation HIAS, Joël designed a digital system for processing refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Greece. He now regards volunteer work and outreach as ‘second nature’ – something his workplace wholeheartedly supports. “I find it really inspiring to make a direct impact.” – Eliza Brockwell
Founder, Live IT and GreaterBlue
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)/ Bachelor of Commerce (Web Technologies), University of Western Australia Product Manager, Google
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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CS+communication =management skills Deepa Kurian r in six countries across fou s a young girl, Deepa lived erent diff of and understanding continents. “The experience s. say she y,” g in a global compan cultures is critical for workin o wh se tho for l nicator is a vital skil Becoming a bet ter commu communicate in code. s M, Deepa names her parent Like 57%* of women in STE eer car her g idin dec to e when it cam as her biggest influencers . dad her of e aus ring bec path – she got into enginee er for pa is an engineering manag Dee , ney Syd in ed bas Now ign des m y team at Google. Her tea the engineering productivit re. twa sof and s ies for Google’s app and carry out testing strateg e om bec to ers for Google’s develop They’re also seeking ways helpful e, with more intuitive and tim less more productive in sof tware features. h is all about collaboration The crew Deepa works wit us es’ in tech that are slowing – discovering the ‘weakness ds. nee r use et me t bes to re down, and adjusting sof twa rating with so many smart, abo coll and g etin me u’re “Yo ughts vide new angles to your tho interesting people who pro als me free xible work hours and and ideas,” she says. “Fle Eliza Brockwell are an additional perk!” –
Masters in Computer Science, Columbia University, New York
Test Engineering Manager, Google, Sydney
A
CS+translation skills=teamwork Fontaine Foxworth
F
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Stanfo rd University
Bachelor of Computer Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai
ontaine grew up in Texas and loved maths and puzzles, but didn’t take a CS class unt il her final semester of a civi l engineering degree. “I only took a couple of courses – I wish I’d discovered it sooner!” she says. After graduating, she landed in the tech industry. “Like eve rybody in California,” Fontain e jokes. Now a product manager at Google, she says adaptabilit y is more important than hav ing a CS degree or knowin g any particular programming lang uage. “Tech changes so rap idly; the most important skill is the ability to learn,” she say s. Working with designers to figure out the best way to visu ally bring a product to life, while also liaising with engineers to code the product, is one example of how these aspects com bine. Fontaine notes that each of these disciplines has a diff ere nt viewpoint, which is almost like speaking another lang uag e – that’s where her translat ion work comes in! “We all work in teams so bein g understanding and making other people feel comfortable is critical to being able to buil d something together,” she say s. Fostering creativity interes ts Fontaine and she’s motiva ted by knowing her work at Goo gle can make a significant impact. “There’s an opportunity to change millions of lives,” she says. – Larissa Fedunik
Product manager, modcloth
Product Manager, Google
9
CODE
>CODE+AI<
START YOUR CAREER HERE
AI for hire
CS+AI STUDY
bots snatching your dream Instead of worrying about ro literate and join them job, it’s time to get digitally Five minutes into ificial intelligence (AI)? iri, how do you spell art h. With eight tabs tec n ow y cal led on my this article and I’ve alread d idea to outsource. ming, it seemed like a goo open and a deadline loo is convenient, ot 8, where hiring a rob Welcome to the yea r 201 ere, as fut ure job wh o als t Bu yers a heap of work. plo em e sav can and ap che ageous in boosting our presence can be advant seekers, their professional ser viced-based roles and creating a host of new employment prospects programming gigs! and , nce suppor t, ma intena – development, testing, reported the adoption of of 1000 companies, 80% Yep, in a recent sur vey job opport unities. an tha n diminished – hum AI had created – rat her to operate smoot hly. ion ent erv int chines stil l need Because, let’s face it, ma
S
re pros than cons partment, Monash Digital employees : mo ing De ng at the Civ il Engineer
ini are Director of research tra capabilities of digital-aw i L. Vu knows about the Ha sor fes to h tec icle University, Pro veh inand rking on AI algorithms employees. He’s been wo ort options. nsp tra e abl tain sus and deliver more efficient nce that’s accessible to e a bet ter travel experie “The benefits wil l includ ort systems,” he says. nsp and more sustainable tra on luti pol less ne, ryo eve Queensla nd have been the roads. Classrooms in r AI isn’t just reserved for vir tua l assista nt teache -developed ZenoBot – a on and ss tria lling the Austra lian cla the of nt fro ctive screen at the that runs on a large intera by ListPremier, allows tar-led tech, developed ava The s. students’ laptop g to create content, students’ needs, by helpin teachers to focus more on t. tex eos and narrate lead discussions, play vid t in the program’s you,” promises the ZenoBo for ngs thi ny ma “I can do have me and nt wa “Create the content you five-minute demo video. .” ges gua in any of 21 lan deliver the information rs… who are we ready to replace teache are but – a ide l It’s a coo job? human… and like their
ctive) work time budget to AI More AI, more (produme nt allocating a $30 mil lion
ern With the Austra lian gov ere and how we wa nt ultimate decision on wh development in 2018, the ica l. s to uti lise this tech is crit literacy and also curiou are familia r wit h dig ital d nee the g “It’s important students Ha i, stressin in different ways,” says about solving problems think, live and learn.” we y wa the nge wil l cha to keep up wit h AI. “AI iuses (*sigh*) but before gen g ploy, all-knowin Sure, they’re cheap-to-em tch your dream career fact that a robot wil l sna resigning yourself to the . are plenty of benefits too goa l, keep in mind there t by 2030 we’ll spend tha an me rkplace wil l The automation of the wo s. According to often menia l, ma nua l job sig nifica ntly less time on lians (FYA), this stra Au Foundation for Young The by fted dra ort rep a lace tasks like operating less per week on workp wil l include three hours stration and cleaning. or stacking items, admini assembly lines, retriev ing that we’ll have ans me it en ht? Especially wh Which is a good thing, rig ng – a ski ll increasingly devote to creative thinki 1.5 hours more a week to g automated sof twa re. needed when developin , eng ineering and ot – coding, programming rob in Becoming fluent h the tech, not for it. l mean you can work wit dig ital everyt hing – wil n the weather wit h tha er about something oth talk st, lea y ver the at Or car! – Cassie Steel in the back of a driverless a par ticu larly chatty AI
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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UNSW, Bachelor of Sci ence (Computer Scienc e), bit.ly/BSUNSW University of Tasmania , Bachelor of Informatio n and Communication Tec hnology, bit.ly/BachITCommsTAS University of Technolog y Sydney, Artificial Intelligence and Machi ne Learning short cou rse, bit.ly/UTSshortcourseAI Massey University, Bac helor of Information Sciences (Computer Sci ence), bit.ly/MasseyBachInfoSci
CS+AI JOBS
Robot engineer: AU $40
K– $119K / NZ$43K– $12 9K Technology consultan t: AU $52K– $123K / NZ$47 K– $141K Computer programmer: AU $43K– $95K / NZ$44 K– $97K Sof tware engineer: AU $59K– $122K / NZ$49 K– $98K *Source: salaries accord ing to payscale.com
5
skills you’ll need to get a job in an automated world
1 Creativity! New ideas are gig-scoring gold. 2 Problem-solving smarts! Because robots can’t technically ‘think’ for themselves...
3 Digital fluency! Speaking AI is invaluable. 4 Flexibility! AI technologies mean less predictability.
5 Adaptability! Working with ever-updating data demands constant change.
Read more on CareerswithSTEM.com bit.ly/Sexistcoding
>CODE+CBA<
Mr Fix-It
a great way to A career in coding is create new things connect systems and an doing h school when he beg roy Pou lter was stil l in hig when rk, so it sur prised nobody freela nce web design wo ry ma pri in “I was always that kid he chose a career in IT. y the en wh l cal teachers would and high school who the he admits. ,” ms ble pro er put had com ke I loved that he would ma and er “My dad is a plumb htly slig a d tro o wh y, t,” says Tro a house work and connec g. job connecting and creatin n ow his to h pat ent differ new ate cre and s nect system “I stil l wa nted to help con t.” tha do to y wa at gre a s ing wa things. IT and programm y log hno Tec or of Information Troy enrolled in a Bachel S), (UT ney Syd y log y of Techno Co-Op degree at Universit via al component promised ctic pra the d like he e becaus at hip rns s. His first inte two six-month internship A) saw him working on a (CB k Ban th eal Commonw g the bank’s online bankin nk, project to improve NetBa t trac con h ont -m itional six website. This led to an add hip analyst. His next interns ss ine bus a as k ban the with lian stra role with an Au involved a programming y, WiseTech Global. pan com re twa logistics sof
LAUREN TROMPP
T
On bank
ineer, a graduate sof twa re eng He’s now back at CBA as – a Ceb t, tbo cha ven dri working on the ban k’s AIlia. king industry in Austra which is a first for the ban es olv inv ich wh m, r’ for his tea He’s also a ‘scr um maste their et me g pin hel and gs running their daily meetin used r, I help the team stay foc goa ls. “As a scr um maste ing om inc any ller for by acting as traffic contro distractions,” he says. t preconceptions of As a young person wit hou y’s perspective is Tro ng, traditional ways of worki t project, which uses tbo cha a on valued. “I’m working wit h capabi lities, to connect machine lea rning and AI y of wa new a ers tom cus ing our ban k’s systems, giv unity k. It’s a pretty cool opport interacting wit h the ban lloy for a graduate.” – Fra n Mo
Freelance web designer
Intern A, Placements – CB WiseTech Global
Bachelor of Information Technology, UTS
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gr aduate software engineer, CBA
CODE
>CODE+UNI OF ADELAIDE<
Changing the way ch we see, througanhlendtaehelping do more th Machine learning can nd a helping eye le hand – it can also ng a machine r Damien Teney is teachi ture you’ve pic the ut to talk to you abo thms for ori alg ing bin com By just taken. guage at lan l ura computer vision and nat lian stra Au ’s ide ela the Universit y of Ad ML), (AI ng rni Lea ne chi Ma Institute of t captions the he’s ma king sof tware tha ns about it. stio que picture and answers d person blin a , tem sys a h “With suc ne and pho ir the cou ld snap a picture on sunny it 'is as h suc ask an app questions d I am foo of can the in at’s outside', or 'wh holding',” Damien says. chine lea rning are The applications for ma titute includes ins the at ch end less. Resear ntifying space ana lysing hip X-rays, ide omposing music. o-c debris in orbit, and aut
D
specific aspects, “Each application has its iques often have but the underly ing techn s Damien. “It ma kes a wide applicability,” say ng so exciting.” rni lea research in machine o wa nt to use wh ts den stu ts AIML hos ctical pra on their final yea r to work ts, Damien den stu r nge applications. For you of free, online says that there are plenty upskill. resources to explore and rning the Python lea nds Damien recomme and practising on programming language the scikit-learn library. tutorials such as those in kground in school bac l A solid mathematica is important too. i, un of rs and the first yea have, there is “Whatever passion you apply machine to y wa probably an exciting – KJ Lee n. mie Da s say lea rning to it,”
To get there: adelaide.edu.au/aiml
PROGRAM YOUR CAREER
Create the world’s technology future
Consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide, the University of Adelaide is the only South Australian university in the world’s top 50 for Computer Science and Engineering.* With industry-backed courses, you can specialise in career-focused majors including: Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Data Science, Distributed Systems and Networking. *Academic Ranking of World Universities 2018 >CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Make the most of networking opportunities that can lead to internships and careers at top technology companies. • Bachelor of Computer Science • Bachelor of Computer Science (Advanced) • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software) • Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
adelaide.edu.au/degree-finder 12
>CODE+DELOITTE<
The human element
I thought I could get the best of both worlds”
Learning to code is about putting yourself in someone else’s brain for a while, says Deloitte senior consultant Serene Chia
O
ne of Serene Chia’s favourite projects was building a software robot that skims your social media feed and messages you when it spots something it thinks you’d love. Now, as a senior consultant in Deloitte’s analytics and cognitive area, Serene uses coding and business skills from her Bachelor of Business Information Systems degree. She also taps into hands-on know-how from placements in an insurance broking company, food manufacturer (her favourite part was taste-testing new products) and in Deloitte’s graduate program. “Coming out of high school, I didn’t even know how to print screen,” Serene admits. Music and economics were her favourite subjects, and she was fascinated by the human behaviour aspect of economics, so she chose her degree through a process of elimination. Too squeamish for medicine or science, she preferred music as a hobby, and arts and commerce held no appeal. “I thought the course would mix IT and business and I could get the best of both worlds,” she says. Though daunting at first, to Serene’s surprise, she found she really enjoyed coding. “There’s a certain detailed, logical-thinking process you undergo,” she says. “I was intrigued by the human side, you’re essentially breaking down people’s thought processes and then translating them into clear steps.” Communication skills are really important – “there are plenty of workshops using loads of coloured Post-It notes” – and she loves working on process-improvement projects. “I have a real passion for making things better, faster, stronger, and merging that with technology to find ways to do things better.” – Fran Molloy
JESSE MARLOW
ss Bachelor of Businems , Information Syste Monash University Gr aduate, Deloitte
2 x 6-month Placements, ARTHURt J. Gallagher/SimPlo Senior Consultant, Consultant, deloitte DELOITTE
To get there: bit.ly/CwCDeloitte 13
CODE
>CODE+QUT<
I'm always creatively problem solving.”
! h c e t ic if r r a d n a T gree at QUT leads to even more a de e study ends... opportunities when th and
all about being creative elv in O’Shea’s days are sole product designer in solving problems. As the y, ading sof twa re compan t-le rke the growth team of a ma ple peo for s nce e great experie his cha llenge is to “creat t interaction wit h us.” firs ir the ing hav who are eves young company that reli am ‘Us’ is Tanda, a dyn ic rol ls, pay ing lin am stre daches by businesses of admin hea ent em other workforce ma nag rosters, timesheets and hild of four Queensla nd inc bra tasks. Tanda is the y (QU T) alumni. Universit y of Technolog from his QU T, he was a long way at d When Kelvin sta rte d in law. olle enr ly ual act jor and was information systems ma h hig of code until I was outside “I never wrote a line of rld wo the ere wh that tech was school,” he says. “But I saw en wh off ked kic lly nce rea was going. My uni experie r-year, moved from law to a fou lvin Ke s.” ree deg ed itch I sw . ign des al interactive/v isu double deg ree in IT and t a place QU T was more tha n jus d lise rea lvin Ke Later, -minded like t ed the IT club and me to go and study. He join t-time par a got o als ployers. He students and potential em luding inc , rks wo net T QU re mo job at QU T, discovering the Tanda founders. r, and ernship in his third yea Kelvin scored a Tanda int the ed join il graduating. He then stayed on par t-time unt er put com in ng rki t par t about wo team ful l-time. The bes “and s, say lvin Ke ge,” llen a cha science? “There’s always Martin blem solving.” – Lauren I’m always creatively pro
K
To get there: qut.edu.au
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR THE REAL WORLD QUT Science and Engineering CRICOS No: 00213J
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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SCHOOL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING UNSW Computer Science and Engineering is at the forefront of teaching and research focused on solving important theoretical and practical problems in computing. We attract the brightest students and challenge them to reach their full potential in our rigorous computing degrees. Many of our alumni are leading the charge to make Australia a major producer of innovative technology.
cse.unsw.edu.au
BIOINFORMATICS ENGINEERING
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
+
BIOINFORMATICS COURSES LIFE SCIENCES
+
CORE
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PHYSICS
COMPUTING AND MATHEMATICS ELECTIVES
+ COMPUTER SCIENCE
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING COURSES
+
OUR DEGREES UNSW Computing offers four computing degrees: Bioinformatics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering. All four have a common core of computing and mathematics to provide the fundamentals of good design, and techniques essential for a deep understanding of the field. This core covers the skills that most employers are looking for in a way that makes our graduates highly flexible and widely sought after.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
WHO SHOULD STUDY COMPUTING AT UNSW? Provided you have the right kind of attitude, motivation and drive to learn, anyone with a passion or an interest in computing and its related fields (Big Data, AI (Artificial Intelligence), Cloud Computing, Agile Methods, Cyber Security, IOT (Internet of Things), Robotics, Machine Learning, Operating Systems, Programming Languages, Databases, Hardware and Computing Theory) should study computing at UNSW. Our degree programs are formulated to allow students without any previous programming experience to learn the skills required to perform exceptionally well in any future role.
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CODE CRICOS Provider Code 00098G
>CODE+TELSTRA<
n e p o s n o i t p o r u o y Keep winning in the tech stakes These Telstra graduates are
Nick Aspinall helps make comms possible country-wide
A
JESSE MARLOW
cross outback Australia, long distances between phone lines are often covered via fixed radio links, which also fill in the gaps for some mobile phone black spots. Upgrading this vast network with newer technology is a huge ongoing project for Telstra. Enter, Nick Aspinall. While Nick was still at uni, he wrote code to overlay the radio network maps with topographic maps so that designing radio network upgrades became easier. “It was such a great project. I had lots of independence and the chance to learn by making mistakes,” he says. Nick has always loved technology, so he chose to do a double degree, combining electrical engineering with maths and computer science. “I couldn’t decide what area to specialise in, so I started off as broadly as I could,” he says. “The subjects I did covered the nanoscale to the kilometre scale and everything in between, from studying the engineering of large power grids to making tiny transistors on silicon chips,” he says. Nick is now in the second rotation of the graduate program at Telstra. “There are opportunities to try such a wide range of things,” he says. His first rotation involved ‘pure software engineering,’ developing a portal to display usage and outage alerts for some enterprise customers. Nick now works in product engineering for cloud-based secure payments. “It’s really new, fun and different,” he says. rity Gr aduate Secuee r, gin En n t tio uc ca od va Pr Summer ectrical and El a of tr a ls or tr Te el ls ch Te t, Ba placemen gineering/ Electronics En d Computer an de Mathematical sit y of Adelai Sciences, Univer
“Learn fast” has been Shahriar Khan’s career motto in network engineering
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rowing up in Dhaka, the frenetic capital of Bangladesh, Shahriar Khan was just 12 when he got his first computer. “I was fascinated by the internal workings of the computer and I used to save up to be able to customise it,” he says. At 17, he moved from Dhaka to Melbourne, to study electrical and computer systems engineering at Monash University. After graduation, Shahriar completed two six-month internships, before returning to Monash to work as a lecturer while completing a Masters in Advanced Electrical Engineering. “My first internship at CSIRO involved working with supercomputing clusters to optimise a disaster modelling program,” Shahriar says. He went to Telstra for his next internship in network engineering, and after completing a 12-month graduate engineer role, is now a network technology specialist with the company. “My current role involves building dashboards for data analytics and visualisation of our operating environment,” he explains. “I’ve always enjoyed solving complex problems.” Shahriar says that software engineers need to be nimble, and open to new ideas. “The skills you pick up at university become outdated fairly quickly, so you have to be willing to learn, to pick up new skills regularly and adapt fast to new technology.”
Master of Advanced Engineering (Electrical Engineering), Monash University
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Intern Placements, CSIRO/Telstra
Graduate Network Technology, Telstra
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Technology Specialist Networks, Telstra
Cameron Hunter sees coding as the key to the future of his own tech company
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ameron (Cam) Hunter swapped into IT from an architecture degree to optimise his design skills building apps instead of houses. “I loved the design component of architecture but found the mental challenge of coding exhilarating,” he says. Cam has enjoyed coding since his first exposure in high school. “I always loved the rush I got from solving logic problems through code,” he says. Cam hopes to set up his own FinTech startup in the future – something he trialled at university – and says that IT will give him the skills he’ll need. “When I’m not studying a new area of coding I’m looking into financial markets and planning out how I would run my own startup,” he says. Near the end of his uni degree, Cam applied to a range of tech companies for a graduate role. “The assessment day at Telstra was pretty fun, involving group activities to see who would work together,” Cam recalls. “I love the startup atmosphere of our team,” he says, adding they get to work on many different things and help each other out with various projects. – Fran Molloy
Bachelor of Information Technology, Griffith University Intern Placement, Global Work and Travel/Technology Graduate, Telstra
Co-founder of Startup incubator, Studio 39 Software Engineer, Telstra
To get there: bit.ly/CwCTelstra
Intelligent? Intelligence? ASIO Future Technologists Graduate Program.
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www.asio.gov.au/careers
CODE
>CODE+AG-TECH<
Landing it
farming future, For a sustainable, profitable tech experts are a must! s of ulation increases by ten ver y yea r, the global pop on the ies bod ra ext of lot a t’s mil lions of people – tha -third yea rs, Ear th has lost one pla net. Yet in the last 40 and, dem h wit up p kee to land. So of its rich, crop-g row ing p in... agritech. ys to feed the world. Ste wa new d fin to d nee we ut fields abo all t jus ’t ustry isn The nat ura l resources ind Artificial es lud inc rld wo h itec agr and oats. A career in the nsforming hering and ana lysis, tra Intelligence (AI), data gat ots rob h wit ng rki and even wo ideas into mobile apps, p hel to d lan the on ty dir (right) that get dow n and wit h farming efficiencies. s in and exciting opport unitie You can find plenty of new uris Ac p rtu sta po? Take young tech ly the field. Need some ins app to nt wa s guy ng se tech-lovi Systems, for example. The w Ne and robotics expertise to their machine lea rning rs Nick Woon neu pre tre En de. tra it Zea land’s national fru the goa l of nded the company wit h and Matthew Wa rner fou They’re rs. me lture for kiw ifruit far enabling precision agricu of each nts cou tion ula that do full pop building robotic systems their crops. wers get a ful l picture of hectare on orchards so gro to ma ke ts dis har tems enable orc Nick says their robotic sys imise min and lds yie p optimise cro data-driven decisions to profits ter bet ng. All of which leads to risks of things going wro . ent nm iro bet ter for the env and less waste, which is met at universit y. duo s tem Sys s The Acuri ement and nag Nick studied project ma Universit y the at ng eri sof twa re eng ine did creative of Sydney, and Matthew Universit y and technolog ies at Auckl y. of Technolog Nick’s adv ice for fut ure ing agritech gur us: get the cod e tak ’ll you and basics right re off. “I think from a sof twa any n’t are re point of view, the eer car a ing anc adv to s barrier in agritech,” he says.
CODE.ORG
EM jobs “58% of new eStTju st 8% of a re CS jobs, ya re CS g rads” STEM g rads
E
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Read more on CareerswithSTEM.com: Computer science + sustainability bit.ly/CSSustain
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It’ll be apples
Matty Blomfield Hectre
Matty Blomfield, co-founder of orchard management platform Hectre, says good agritech saves growers hours of admin and management time every week, and allows them to get on with creating delicious fruit and produce. Hectre keeps orchard jobs in a program that runs on mobile devices and in web browsers. From there, growers can manage crop growing, harvesting and pay fruit pickers easily, all from the one spot. The bonus for growers using apps such as Hectre is that, while it collects data, the program also gives back practical information to the orchardists, which in turn helps to improve the fruit. To get Hectre off the ground, a careful analysis of the industry, calling potential customers and visiting them in person was key to understanding their needs. These growers became early adopters who helped fund the development of the software. Apple growers can throw away as much as 20% of the fruit they grow. Hectre can help change this by giving growers a better way to manage and track fruit quality. Three years in, Hectre is expanding in New Zealand, Australia and the US, with profitability for growers being a key focus. Now they need enthusiastic new tech hires to keep up with demand. “Currently, we are looking for front end, native developers for iOS and Android. An interest in usability is a critical, and you must be prepared to spend some time with growers to understand their world,” Matty says.
we are looking for good coders... front-end web development with data analytics skills”
START YOU R CAREER HERE
CS+Ag-tec h
University of Sydney, (Honours ) Pr Bachelor of Engineerin g oject M bit.ly/ UniSyd anagement, ProjectEng Auckland Un Creative Tech iversity of Technology, nologies bit.l y/AUTCreativ University of e Auckland, So ftware Engi neering, bit.ly/ UniAuc kSoftwareEng
CS+AG-TEC H JOBS User experie nce design AU
Chief ideas ninja and Origins Software founder Hayden Stowell is passionate about tech. His company helps agricultural businesses in Australia and New Zealand meet increasingly stringent food safety requirements by simplifying and automating data collected in the field to create a paperless system. “There was so much required to stay compliant with food-safety requirements that no existing digital or paper-based system could handle it,” Hayden explains. Origins Software uses active labelling and tamper-proof seals with electronic tags – near-field communications and radio frequency identification – and barcodes to design secure systems. It’s the same tech that lets you pay for something with your smartphone. The systems work with existing supply chains and provide traceability for the produce so customers and consumers can work out where it came from, while protecting the products themselves from tampering. A born-and-bred farm boy, Hayden is an ideas person who uses technology to realise concepts and build agribusiness solutions. However, he recognises there’s a vital skill he’s missing: being able to code. “I would love to learn to code!" he says. "It's definitely a skill worth having with what I’m doing.” – Juha Saarinen
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SHUTTERSTOCK. HECTRE, ACURIS SYSTEMS
Food-safety ninja
er: / NZ$46K– $1 05K iOS de AU $49K– $1 veloper: 17K / NZ$47 K– $100K Web develope r: AU $41K– $9 0K / NZ$ 39K– $81K *Source: sala ries accordin g to payscale.c om $48K– $116K
CODE
>CODE+UQ<
Turn it up University of Queensland graduate Sam Macpherson uses programming to turn household’s solar energy systems into a coal-fired power plant’s worth of energy
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am Macpherson joined Redback Technologies two years ago after completing a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in software engineering, at The University of Queensland (UQ). Sam loves his current role, which he landed following three years at a mining company. “I write algorithms which orchestrate a large group of household batteries to help deal with energy shortages in the national electricity grid,” he says. “Energy harvested from the solar panels can power the house while also participating in a Virtual Power Plant that can produce as much as a coal-fired power station, if you have control of enough batteries. “I’m also working on mobile apps to help homeowners optimise their energy usage with real-time notifications of power outages, usage spikes or when free energy is available.”
I credit the course and the mentors for the direction I have taken my career... UQ is a breeding ground for new technology”
Get interactive Sam works with customers to develop user experiences they’ll love by gaining insight into how and why they use the software. “Every product journey usually starts with human-computer interaction (HCI),” says Sam, who discovered HCI during his degree at UQ. “Advanced HCI flicked a switch for me and I credit the course and the mentors involved for the direction I have taken my career.” Sam says the ease of access to mentors and the engineering facilities at UQ helped propel his career, along with the great name the university has in the industry. “UQ is a breeding ground for interesting new technology,” he says. “When this job came up at Redback, something felt right and I had realised my dream since year five, which was to work in renewables.” – KJ Lee
To get there: bit.ly/UQBachEng
CRICOS PROVIDER NO. 00025B
Never before have technological changes been faster or more fundamental
The digital age is creating countless new and exciting career opportunities. A UQ computing degree will give you the confidence and capacity to stay relevant and go further in every possible future. >CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
• Bachelor of Computer Science • Bachelor of Information Technology • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Software)
future-students.uq.edu.au 20
>CODE+UNI OF AUCKLAND< n Business boost: Ena Su
Take off!
got an internship n my second year at uni, I g there kin at Xero and started wor kland Auc of sity par t-time,” says Univer n scored the She . Sun science graduate Ena Bachelor her d she fini ’d she e a grad role onc ree. of Science/Commerce deg ke accounting for ma to is o Xer at l “The goa sses as easy and stress-free small and medium busine society, ry is largely about helping as possible. The tech indust g kin stay connected, or ma whether it’s helping people ible to those who need it.” ess acc resources more easily focus on that.” you love what you’re doing, Ena’s advice : “Go for it. If
“I
sity of Auckland Studying at the Univer amazing career can prep you for an a big par t of your fut ure earning on the job wil l be er pick up ski lls in comput employment. Anyone can can You it! h wit – and have fun science (CS) at any time ine, industries such as medic e ers div oss acr also work ort. nsp tra and ure ect hit design, eng ineering, arc t in Auckland is ran ked firs CS at the Universit y of CS dy stu can You . rld wo the New Zea land and 51st in ies. ult fac e ineering or scienc through the business, eng blem pro a out p ma to was how “What I lea rnt from uni at er nn pla ort nsp tra s say and how to approach it,” duate eng ineering science gra MRCag ney Pty Ltd and s in ces pro ign des the a lot of Da nielle Gatland. “I use you lea rn and ges llen cha en giv my work. In uni, you are Catchpole solving them.” – Heather different approaches to
L
Intern and gr aduate developer, Xero
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)e)/ Commerce (Financ
“C
omputer science is just maths using coding languages! It’s reasonably easy and not as scary as it sounds to some people. I now work for MRCagney in spatial analysis using GIS [geographic information system] programs and coding, trying to come up with ways to communicate spatial outcomes and describe the types of people who will be impacted by traffic outcomes. Using data, I’ve been able to visually show that an area of Auckland was deprived of public transport. But I hadn’t even heard of GIS before I started this work. You can learn anything on the job!” Danielle’s advice: “Research what careers are out there and talk to people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what they do. It’s the best way to find out what’s out there.”
Better public transport: Danielle Gatland
SHUTTERSTOCK, HEATHER CATCHPOLE
Developer, Xero
ng Bachelor of Engineeri Science/Commerce
, Algorithm developer Compac sorting equipment
Transport Planner, MRCagney Pty Ltd
: Shree Govindji ch te in sk ri g in ss se As es of work I've
systems as part fter specialising in information i was all set indj of her uni degree, Shree Gov was offered she n to embark on her Masters whe y consultant. isor adv risk a a graduate job with EY as tion of a tech job was “In high school, my percep and you’d be sitting ing cod w that you needed to kno working on projects all behind a computer screen re's a lot of interaction day. But it’s not like that. The rnal organisations. with internal teams and exte cybersecurity project In my job, I’ve worked on a management, and IT risk around identity and access
A
typ assurance audits. I enjoy all more skills in the elop done so far, but I aim to dev it combines as re futu cybersecurity area in the and design. y urit sec gy, nolo my interest in tech nology are tech in ing aris s nitie The job opportu are actively hiring more growing and organisations roles.” women to balance the gender about STEM Shree’s advice : “Be excited s and do your nitie academic and career opportu l options within tifu plen are research early on. There ny types of interests.” STEM that are suited to ma Bachelor of Commerce (Information Systems and Marketing)
Master of Commerce
Advisory Consultant, EY
To get there: bit.ly/CwCodeAuckland 21
CODE
>CODE+CREATIVE INDUSTRIES<
START Y OUR CA R EER HER E
CS+ industcrreative ies stud Univers y
Innovation 101
but love tech as well? Think of yourself as creative, choose between the two to ve ha u yo on as re no e’s Ther n did just that. r ow n app? Jessica Wi lso ver wanted to bui ld you wit h a simple app n hio fas a , shd r of Sta She’s the CEO and founde . sw ipe-yes-or-no design I was 21,” et to Silicon Val ley when tick y -wa “I booked a one and went s, dle noo te inu -m two a hostel, ate Jessica says. “I stayed in Austra lia, and nts. I left my ego back in eve ng rki wo net le ltip to mu at I lea rned, wh h wit n, to lea rn'. And the decided, ‘Right, I’m here and sta rted Stashd.” I went back to Austra lia Next Unicorn 6, Jessica competed on The She lea rned a lot! In 201 tech sta rtup. big t nex the g din w about fin – a Chinese rea lity TV sho shd popula r Sta ke m her big moment to ma ma rket. She used the publicity fro new ole wh a to ls and opened it up n’t know wit h Chinese mil lennia did h. “I t any background in tec ause Jessica did all this wit hou bec ng nti dau “But I didn’t find it that m there.” fro y how to code,” she says. teg stra a out g rin working and figu I knew it was about net
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it Bachelor y of Technology S ydney, of Techno logy an bit.ly/UTS BachTechIn d Innovation, University novation of Melbou rne, bit.ly/UniM Bachelor of Fine A rts, elbFineArt Swinburn s e Univers ity of Tech Certificate nology, IV Design , bit.ly/Sw inburneCer tIV
CS+ industcrreative ies JOBS Website a rt directo
r: AU $ 51K – $ 99K / N Animator: Z$43K– $ AU $ 39K– 9 6K $ 82K / NZ Product d $ 38K– $13 esigner: A 8K U $44K– $ 101K / NZ $40K– $ 9 Video ga 8K AU $ 35K– me programmer: $76K / NZ $ 53K– $ 6 6K *Source: sa laries to payscal according e.com
Smarter fashion
In the future, we won’t just have smartphones, but smart clothing too. Tara Morelos is the founder of ARTeConnect, a startup that runs workshops for people to make their own technologically enhanced clothing – ‘Fashtech.’ “We use proximity sensors, motion sensors, heat sensing... all that kind of thing,” says Tara. “We’re making garments that are responsive to the environment and can even give you environmental readings like air quality.” But it’s not all about the gadgets and sensors – Fashtech is an artistic process as well. “Art and technology are really similar, that’s why they go so well together. It’s all about experimentation and happy accidents,” says Tara. ARTeConnect programs aren’t just for show, either. They’re looking to prototype some of the garments and go to market in the future. Plus, it’s also an educational tool. “We can learn about science and the environment through the lens of fashion!” says Tara. – Cherese Sonkkila
Read more about designing with code at CareerswithSTEM.com:
bit.ly/Whatwewearwithcode
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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Connecting cultures Celeste Carnegie is the Indigenous STEAM Program Producer at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
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eleste is a Birri Gubba, South Sea Islander woman from Queensland who runs workshops for young Indigenous Australians connecting technology and culture. “Indigenous people have been innovating for 60,000 years. We’re problem-solvers, and we had sophisticated systems that we employed to survive on this continent. So now it’s just different tools,” she says. Celeste is working on a project with University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Field Robotics on the connections between the traditional Indigenous environmental sciences and emerging technologies. “Being able to create a program where young people will code robots while they learn about Aboriginal culture is the best.” – Cherese Sonkkila Learning experience designer, Indigenous Digital Excellence
Bachelor of Technology and Innovation, UTS
are the real deal Game jams for women
SHUTTERSTOCK , GIRL GEEK ACADEMY/ARTCONNECT
Level up
Indigenous STEAM Program Producer, MAAS
Lisy Kane (centre, front) and the Girl Geek Academy team
I
t takes three major skill sets to develop a video game. You need a hacker – the coder who makes everything work. A hipster – the designer or artist who brings the game to life. And a hustler – the producer who keeps the project on track and makes sure it gets done. That’s exactly how teams were put together at Girl Geek Academy’s #SheHacksGames weekend earlier this year. Girl Geek Academy co-founder Lisy Kane says they decided to launch #SheHacksGames to give more women hands-on experience in game development, since women make up only 18% of Australia’s video games industry – which is worth nearly $120 million a year. “It’s more about learning skills, applying yourself to an area that you may not have ever looked at before, making friends, building teams, that kind of thing,” says Lisy. Lots of the participants had no previous game development experience, but tix to this year’s event still sold out in a flash. Sarah Crowe joined #SheHacksGames as a hustler. Sarah works as a social media manager for a toy company, and also runs Patch Gaming,
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an online mental health support network for gamers. Sarah found it really useful to ask the mentors about how she could tweak her CV to improve her chances of entering the industry. “I was a bit terrified when I signed up. I’d never done a game jam before,” Sarah said. “But it’s been a really good experience. I’ll come again!” One of the industry mentors at this year’s event Farah Khalaf, who is an associate producer with the Game Developers’ Association of Australia. Farah has been to loads of game jams as a participant, but this was her first time as a mentor. “I’ve done a few game jams so I know from my own experience what to do or not to do. Things like not over-scoping, how to keep things simple, and what to prioritise first to meet the end deadline,” she said. “This is a really good opportunity to learn something new really quickly. I’ve gone to game jams where I’ve been taught complex software and I’ve been shocked at what I can do in such a short amount of time.” – Chloe Walker
CODE
>CODE+MENTORING<
entor Meet yoofuthreirm game took a call from
in... people at the top field and we listened up-and-comers in their you From hip-hop to bal let – Dancing into life... e dancer since age eight. and Biolog ica l mer has been a competitiv a Bachelor of Chemica l Meet Taylor: Taylor Kra Taylor is now studying all! it) n at UNSW. wo d oad (an abr it er e name it, she’s don her current semest ool of Mines and taking h bal let and Sch bot do ng ora sui Col pur the ’s at She ing Engineer of career expectations. s law the ies an National def egi ore rw Mo No ent ly dancing for the Meet Merritt: Merrit t level, and was most rec nal sio fes pro a at s sic qua ntum phy Bal let. – Eliza Brockwell oore t Moore: bit.ly/MerrittM Learn more about Merrit @taymaekra Follow Taylor Kramer:
t! I’m so Taylor [1:20 PM ] Hi Merrit I just arrived . you h wit excited to connect hours ago ! two ut abo ia tral in Sydney, Aus lor! Ver y happy to Merrit t [7:49 PM ] Hi Tay ntist. Ask away... meet a fellow dancing scie ce and phy T [10 :04 PM ] Bet ween dan
sics, which path do you thin
k you prioritise and why?
– dancing professionally jor risk to do my PhD first M [8:12 AM ] It was a ma has opened so to your success. But my PhD [at a younger age ] is crucial e otherwise! sibl pos n t would never have bee many doors with dance tha ty of people ask me cer studying science, plen T [6: 52 PM ] Since I’m a dan How do you do it? n the two, but I’m no expert. how to find a balance bet wee impossible to predict strongest motivator – it’s M [2: 09 AM ] Hope is the es me, the friends appreciate the places it tak the future. I make sure to matter what, I’m ches me as a person so no I meet and the lessons it tea from the process. still appreciative and happy T [10 :05 AM ] How do you
do you learn deal with failure and how
from that?
t received 24 rejections? Tha erent ballet companies, and diff 25 for up. ned itio got I aud I ter en fas even prouder the year in college wh st proud of my failures and M [6: 47 PM ] How about the the Zurich Ballet! I am mo h wit ce dan to ng goi was single ‘yes’ meant I Merrit t, talking to you has
been so helpful.
luck with everything Merrit t [7:49 PM ] Good
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Taylor, sending you hugs.
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Watch a day in the life of Merritt: bit.ly/ MerrittMooreDay
JAMES GLADER
Taylor [1:20 PM ] Thanks
>CODE+UNSW< The UNSW RoboCup Team looking for a win in 2019
! n i w d n a e d o C
a whole lot of support for d an s ion tit pe m co ss cla ldWor ring students at UNSW ee gin en d an ce ien sc ter pu com ernational stage Sydney puts them on the int
choice? Just spend five er science is a great career put com t tha ing vinc con eed UNSW’s algorithms guru. fessor Aleksandar Ignjatovic, r minutes with Associate Pro all areas of life, Aleksanda information technology into and re twa With the explosive reach of sof ign ple who can des d” for highly competent peo predicts an “insatiable nee tions. hardware for future applica t commodity in the ls will become “the hot tes skil ) (CS nce Computer scie Sammut, a specialist in colleague, Professor Claude His r. nda ksa Ale s say marketplace,” are on the rise. says jobs that are AI-related and , ees agr , (AI) nce llige Artificial Inte self-directed learning is engineering course, where and CS s rou rigo a has UNSW expand critical thinking and , suppor t and guidance to ent em rag cou “en dent. h wit ed balanc ar computer science /law stu jay Alapakkam, a second-ye San s say ls,” skil for cal lyti tion ana g in the Associa their program by par ticipatin Students can further enrich ing Contest (ACM-ICPC ), mm gra Pro ate rnational Collegi Computing Machinery Inte s, too. the RoboCup Championship a global uni competition, and
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UNSW
Top of the world: why problem solving is important? UNSW has always had great results at ACM-ICPC – they’re set to host the finals in 2020 – but this year’s computer programming team of Oliver Fisher, Mohammad Huda and Ray Li achieved the most impressive result yet... sixth in the world, winning a silver medal at the international finals in Beijing last April. These three students have been offered lucrative job overseas, too. Aleksandar coaches UNSW’s ACM-ICPC teams and has taken five teams to the world championships so far. “I feel privileged to be their coach. Their enthusiasm for problem solving is pure and infectious.” Aleksander believes problem solving is a skill that can be learned with practice... and pizza. His weekly ACM training sessions include tutoring from former members of the ICPC team and... eating pizza.
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Robots+Sports!
Associate Professor Aleksandar Ignjatovic and his silver-medal-winni ng ACM-ICPC team
In June 2019 the world’s big gest robotics event is coming to Sydney, with ove r 400 teams bat tling it out for one of the prestigious Rob oCup world trophies. UNSW teams have won five RoboCu p championships and Claude wants to win one mo re, in front of a home crowd. There are a number of way s for UNSW students to par ticipate in RoboCup, incl uding working it into their program as a fourth-year thesis or a special project unit. Either way, Claude says the skills that students learn programming robots in Rob oCup prepare them for futu re employment. “RoboCup give s students a wide breadth of skills and understandin g of how mechanisms inte ract with the real world, which is full of uncertainty. A num ber of our graduates are now working for companies bui lding self-driving cars because the things they learned programming robots at uni versity carry across to pro jects at the leading edge of techno logy.” – Rebecca Hanlon
To get there: bit.ly/ComputerEngUNSW CODE
>CODE+MQ<
FIRST off the mark
FIRST® ATS CS ST ROBOTI dents
+ stu 350,000 s cou ntr ie ea rly 80 N
As the home of the FIRST® Australia Robotics competition, Macquarie University inspires next-gen STEM leaders
a ms
te 32,600 mentors 64,000+
lu nteers
vo 66,000+
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
To get there: firstaustralia.org
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magine getting to design and drive your own two-metre-tall, 50kg robot. For the high school students taking part in the FIRST® Australia robotics comp, the sky’s the limit! For the past 12 years, Macquarie University has been the home of FIRST® Australia, which stands for ‘For Inspiration & Recognition of Science & Technology’. This annual robotics comp is all about inspiring young people to be STEM leaders and innovators. Macquarie science/secondary education student, Abby Downes (left) took part in FIRST® twice, as a member of the Wee Waa High School Bush Bots Robotics team. Wee Waa is a tiny, north-western NSW town. Her team got involved through the Robots in the Outback Program – an incentive to extend FIRST® into regional areas. In FIRST®, high school students compete in teams to design, prototype, build, program and drive their robot. The game changes every year, and teams have just six weeks to prepare. None of the Bush Bots had any robotics or programming experience prior to competing in FIRST®, but that didn’t stop them rising up the robotics ranks. The Bush Bots competed successfully in the regionals in 2016 and 2017, as well as the Asia Pacific Finals in Sydney. This year, the team even made it to the World Championships in Houston, Texas, with Abby joining them as a mentor. Abby describes the experience as “a lot of fun – I learned a lot and made great friendships.” Not only do the students get a kick out of the FIRST® experience, their peer mentors love it as well. Mary, a FIRST® Robotics alumnus, program mentor and current student at Macquarie, says that working with younger students allowed her to apply her uni skills to a real-world problem. “It opened up incredible opportunities around the globe,” Mary says. “It has made my university career more meaningful, by allowing me to give back to the community.” Professor Michael Heimlich, Deputy Dean at Macquarie’s School of Engineering, believes that taking part in FIRST® is an excellent complement to Macquarie’s curriculum. “FIRST® gives our students tremendous motivation, through its exciting competitions and its notion of ‘Gracious Professionalism’.” Michael says that the ultimate goal for students is “to build their own STEM skills as well as the skills that make them better people and, ultimately, more valuable employees.” – Larissa Fedunik
QUENTIN JONES
I LEARNED A LOT AND MADE GREAT FRIENDSHIPS”
I
Victoria University of Wellington
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CODE
>CODE+DIVERSITY<
Design for everyone
r lives sity of people will change ou er div t tes ea gr e th for g nin Desig
I
n 2011, a US study found that female drivers wearing seat belts were 47% more likely to be seriously injured in car crashes than their male counterparts driving in similar circumstances. Why? Crash-test dummies used in seatbelt testing were male in body shape and size. Amazingly, it was only six years ago that this disparity began to be addressed. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) promises to reduce unconscious bias against certain ‘norms’. Yet many of the teams working in AI are not inclusive and are predominantly male, says Amy Shi-Nash, General What is Manager for Group Data n? sig de l rsa unive Science, Commonwealth Bank. and The design of products “This is so fast moving that all by ble env ironments to be usa we need people creating AI ent possible, people, to the greatest ext who are diverse in culture, ptation wit hout the need for ada age and gender,” she says. tre Cen The or specia lised design. – Sally-Ann Williams, for Universa l Desig n Google’s Engineering at North Carolina Community and Outreach State Universit y Program Manager, says “it’s not that inclusion is nice to have, it’s a must-have if you are trying to build products and solutions for everyone.”
CS+Divers ity
study
Professional Centre for U Cer tificate in Web Acc niversal essibilit Australia, bi Design /University of S y, t.ly/ ProCertW outh ebDesign Universal D esign Princi pl es , Ope Australia, bi t.ly/ DesignO n Universities penUniAust Access Inst itute, bit.ly/ AccessInstC ourse
CS+Divers ity Web conten t
jobs
specialist: AU / NZ$ 37K– $ $49K– $ 87K 67K User interfac e designer: AU / NZ$43K– $7 $ 50K– $ 97K 6K User experi ence design er: AU $48K – $116K / NZ$46K– $1 05K Entreprene ur: $ 0K– $ $ $$K *Source: sa laries accord ing to payscale.c om
Manisha Amin is the CEO of the Centre of Inclusive Design in Sydney, an organisation that aims to create connections between the people who build the world (government, education and business) and the people who use the world (everyone). “We need people working in STEM who think about humans and not just technology,” she says. “It’s about coding and co-design. Think about the people who are completely missing out in your products and how you can design for them.”
It’s about all of us
One in five Australians identify as experiencing disability. According to a survey by Microsoft, 80% of people experience barriers when using tech. “The reason we’ve come up with the word ‘inclusion’ is because it’s a nicer way of saying, ‘You’re excluding me’,” says Angel. “When we’re not included – because accessibility is seen as an option – we don’t have access to the same basic human rights as everyone else.” In addressing exclusion in society and technology, it’s important to ask questions, says Manisha. “It allows us to understand other people’s challenges. Everyone experiences disability when they can’t do something they want to do.”
Universal design
Universal design incorporates all users. For example, not every door is easily accessible, but the design of automatic glass doors is universal – everyone can use them. Universal design gives everyone the same access. “With every product and project I work on, I come from the fundamental understanding that difference is typical and no-one’s the same,” says Angel Dixon, activist, model and business owner (see profile, right). “Universal design is my core and I want to help everyone have that understanding because it’s hard for non-disabled people to come from that place to begin with.”
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
START YO UR CAREE R HERE
Future jobs
It’s critical to have diverse teams in the workforce, and research shows businesses are actually more profitable, says Peter Horsley, founder of Remarkable: Inclusive Tech Accelerator at Cerebral Palsy Alliance. “Great tech is built when we think about extreme users rather than the middle 50% in design,” he says. “We’re all different. And if we’re not designing for our current self, we may be designing for our future selves.” – Heather Catchpole
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IVE INCLUS N DESIG
flex ible , ema il, Tex ti n g kerb cuts were h nd straws a ed for people w it p lo e cia l fi e n e b a ll dev r : y. Othe d isabil it desig ns include l a s r e iv un foorm g le.c
Activist for inclusion An gel Dixon works on on universal design passion projects based and disability inclusio n
A
ngel acquired her impairm ent at age 19, a time when most people are just figuring out what they want to do. Without an established car eer path, she tried a few different things, including running a mobile makeup bus iness before moving to San Francis co with her husband, Scott, a software engineer. “The fact that I identify as disabled is alarming to some employers , and finding long-term employment pro ved challenging after acquiring my impairm ent,” she says. Angel has slowly learned to code through Scott and online cou rses. “I have a good understanding of HTM L and CSS ; now I’m learning Ruby. I love the language and it’s a bit more creative.” Angel and Scott have been involved in the development of apps, including Notify (acquired and re-bran ded as FOMO in 2016), which disp lays real-time sales via a pop-up , to build social proof and create a FOM O effect that makes shoppers more likely to commit. She’s now advoca cy manager and ambassador for Starting With Julius, which promotes representation of people with disability in Australian media and communications. Angel has also learnt CAD in an effort to design a line of walking canes. She has since outsou rced the design, which is in its fina l round of prototyping. “Our cane has features we will patent,” she says. “I don’t care if I sell one or one million – I just want to change one person’s life. ”
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• Seein g A I – ob recognit ject ion tech nolog y o n phone • Apple s. Watch’s ‘r u n’ fea for whe tu re elch a ir u s e r s. • Acce s sibil ity featu re website s on s a n d ap p s s uc h C h r om e a s the browser, wh ich s s c r e en r uppor ts e a der s a nd m a g n if iers. • Gestu re-based V R a nd nav igati ga ming on in – X box’s Controll Adaptiv er (left a e people w nd below ith mobil ) a llows ity issue s to use tech.
future genius Three companies creating inclusive future tech: #1 Loop+ An activity tracker for wheelchair users that assesses risk and monitors prescribed care plans in everyday life. loopplus.com.au
#2 Xceptional A technology services firm that recognises the unique strengths of people on the autism spectrum. xceptional.io
#3 Equal Reality Diversity and inclusion training in virtual reality.
More in fo: usefomo.com GRACE SMITH, MICROSOFT
equalreality.com
Model, Bezgraniz couture
Coder, marketing manager and business owner, Notify app
Advocacy Manager & Ambassador, Starting With Julius
Read more on Careers with STEM: Access for all bit.ly/AccessForAllstory
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CODE
>CODE+MENTORING<
Meet your mentor Capalaba State 13-yea r-old student from Meet Kunjil: Kunjil is a science... and and phy gra geo who loves Col lege in Queensla nd, t Steph Curry. dreams of being the nex n who has is a proud Kamilaroi ma Meet Dean: Dean Foley up Barayama l, ds hea an the ground up. De bui lt his business from all things business. accelerator that teaches the Indigenous sta rtup ckwell .ly/DeanFoley – Eliza Bro Meet Dean in depth: bit
Kunjil [2.21 PM] Hey Dean, nice to talk to you again. You are a great role model for a young Aboriginal person like myself. What was your dream job when you were my age? I’m 13, by the way! Dean [2.25 PM] My dream job was to become a professional sports star but unfortunately I was very short and skinny so people overlooked me at regional and state trials! K [2.28 PM] Yeah, it would be cool to get paid to play sports, but we all need a back-up plan. Did you go to university before you started in business? D [2.30 PM] When I left the air force to learn about business, I eventually enrolled and studied at university full-time and worked part-time to pay the bills before ‘officially’ getting into business. Depending on what you want to do in the future, you don’t have to go to uni. It can be expensive and there are plenty of other great options.
D [2.34 PM] “Just do it!”
K [2.32 PM] What is the best advice you have ever received?
K [2.36 PM] Haha, that’s good advice. Sometimes I avoid doing things because I am too scared. Were you nervous going out on your own and starting up Barayamal?
LAUREN TROMPP
D [2.39 PM] I wasn’t nervous... even though I wasn’t confident when I was your age. I’ve become a lot more confident and I now know that being successful in the long run means you might fail a few times, and that’s OK. K [2.41 PM] Thanks for chatting with me, Dean.
D [2.42 PM] I’m always happy to help, Kunjil!
>CODE+UNI MELBOURNE<
y it s r e iv d in h t g n e Str tech is paving the way for the next gen
This woman in
chology, English jects at high school were psy race Johnson’s favourite sub her Masters of is on the way to completing and mathematics. Now she Melbourne. ineering at the University of Engineering in software eng after she graduates, a product management role Grace is aiming to move into n bee working with clients. ut her masters degree has and says the best thing abo , but provides valuable l-world client is challenging “Delivering a product to a rea s. say team management,” she experience in leadership and puter and Com the for of Diversity Officer Grace has also held the role ity of vers Uni the at SA) ts Association (CIS Information Systems Studen r. Fifteen yea last o Exp h Tec in n ed CISSA’s Wome Melbourne and she organis rosoft and Mic , Google, expo, including Deloitte, CBA companies presented at the students ire insp there to a Girl. The companies were ause social enterprise Code Like bec o exp an with tech career. “I decided to go about what is possible in a s.” ure lect ugh g eno s. “I figure students are doin I’m anti-tech talks,” she say s. role tech desperate for women to fill Grace says companies are y need just time attracting the talent the d “They’re having a terribly har h as the suc nts eve ll,” she says. That’s why because the pool is so sma n stereotypes dow g akin bre ut important. “It’s abo Women in Tech Expo are so ns.” – Chloe Walker and connecting organisatio bachelor of commerce
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
To get there: bit.ly/CodeUniMelb
G
master of engineering (software engineering)
diversity officer, cissa
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>CODE+VIC UNI OF WELLINGTON<
Change the world
GET INTO IT! Reach out to local clubs, commun ities and code ca mps to ge t as much ex perience outside of school and un i as you ca n.
and play? Join engineering rk wo we w ho to ce en fer dif Want to make a toria University of Wellington Vic at ce ien sc ter pu m co d an create and adapt hen teams get together to include voices from y the ical crit technology, it’s sity of Wellington student all of society. Victoria Univer nt of the Victoria University Aleisha Amohia is preside h society (VU WW IT) and of Wellington Women in Tec re company Catalyst IT. a junior developer at sof twa king tech for all. She’s passionate about ma know how to use the “You don’t have to code or guy !” Aleisha laughs. te whi command-line – or be a ing out as their own club, Just a year on from branch ever conference in August VUW WIT hosted their first this par t of VUW WIT is seeing 2018: WITcon. “The best s ship tion rela our and school community grow within the s. say she ,” expand with industry branch out and logies at school and is hno tec ital dig d love Aleisha gram combining computer now studying a conjoint pro rce degree. science (CS ) with a comme to age other Maori students our enc Her dream role is to rs ato cre se at university. “Diver study CS and engineering rse audiences,” she says. dive for ts duc make bet ter pro
engineering and computer science tut victoria universityor, of wellington
Work everywhere
Shaika Khan is another VUW WIT leader who is now in her Honours year, majoring in sof tware engineering. “I’v e had the opportunity to learn and wor k beyond sof tware, includi ng electronics and net workin g,” she smiles. “In the futu re, I’d like to work in sustainable tec h and project management .” Shaika also created an app with Wellington conser vat ion project Zealandia as par t of her studies. “The work gav e the best opportunity for me to practis e what I had learnt,” she say s.
Give back
As well as her role as VUW WIT secretary, Shaika me ntors students through Rails Girl s workshops, GovHack and Game Developers of Wellington me et-ups. “Women and minorit ies in STEM are ver y underrepre sented,” says Shaika. “Wom en inspire women. It is huge encourage ment to see others like us succeeding in STEM. We nee d more women to inspire us.”
Mission accomplished
Megan Liang is a Bachelor of Engineering student ma joring in sof tware. “The mission of VUW WIT is to form a com munity to support underrepresented groups studying STEM,” she says. “This involves holding technical workshops, net working and social events. The best thing is see ing students, especially min orit y groups, get ting the suppor t they need.” – Heather Cat chpole
To get there: bit.ly/BachEngVictoriaUni 31
HEATHER CATCHPOLE
Shaika Khan (left) and Aleisha Amohia (right), from the Victoria University of Wellington Women in Tech society
)
junior developer, catalyst it
iot intern, kordia solutions
bachelor of scien (computer science)/bachelorce of commerce
bachelor of eng (computer software ineering engineering
president, vuwwit
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CODE
>CODE+GOOGLE< the world is a huge place and people understand and use technology in different ways”
GET INTO CS+ YOUR PASSION!
y
LAUREN TROMPP
ce graduates the opportunit Google gives computer scien the things they love to combine their skills with
proves Rachel Carpenter im ities for Google’s app capabil ltures people in different cu
“We had this incredible opp ortunity to meet people with vastly different lifestyles, who spoke so ma ny different languages,” she says. “It cer tainly helped me understand tha t the world is a huge place and people understand and use technology in differe nt ways.” Rachel landed at Google in much the same way she sailed the world – by going with the flow. She studied a degree in mechatronics, then switched to computer enginee ring, then switched again to com puter science. She discovered the opportu nity to intern with Google while on campus but couldn’t see herself succee ding, so didn’t apply. After some enc ouragement from recruiters, Rachel fina lly put her application forward and six months later was interning at one of the coolest tech companies in the world. – Eliza Brockwell
repairs f you’re in need of computer l accident, spil and flix Net after a horrific pop it into it’s an easy fix, right? Just tions. nda me om rec l loca for Google are But Google’s search results of the ts par decidedly thinner in other gle Goo at m tea world. Rachel and the ly our ghb Nei ed launched an app call ai and Jaipur – currently in beta in Mumb as, “Where’s h suc ns stio – to answer que “Who is a great the best place to eat?” Or ourly, maths tutor?” With Neighb their best give can rs use of ds dre hun l language. advice, delivered in the loca sailing od dho Rachel spent her chil t by buil ht yac a around the world on ut tech. abo lot a her ght her father. It tau
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Bachelor of Arts (Spanish)/ Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), University of Canterbury
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Intern (Software Engineer), Google Australia
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Software Engineer, Google Australia
Learn more about internsh at Google : google.com/stu ips dents
Global Googler
n Lights, camera, actio
ching kes storing and sear os ma a Tin n er int le og ot ogle Ph Former Go ng the code behind Go selfies easy by writi nce (CS ) and passions – computer scie n her job, Tina combines two CS! ” she says. tty much do any thing with photography. “You can pre the tech she e she wanted to know how Tina chose CS at uni becaus nd the fou a great fit for her as she uses every day works. It was rnship, inte gle Goo r smashing her first concepts ver y intuitive. Afte e role -tim full a ng aini more before obt she was invited back for two following her graduation. tware the gle photo ser vers – the sof She now works on the Goo es requests writes the code that execut apps make requests to – and creating virtual Google’s storage systems, such as finding photos in ortantly to me... with others, or “most imp albums, sharing an album taken of dogs!” retrieving all the photos I’ve
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Bachelor of Computer Science (Ho University of Adela ns), ide
STEP (Summer Tra e Engineering Progrine am) Intern, Google
Software Engineer, Google Austr alia
A better way
“It’s a my th that sof tware engineering is inherently difficult,” Tina says. “Anyon e can learn how to do it.” If you’re thinking of studyin g CS, Tina suggests get ting some practice by learning to write small programs, or making little HTML web pag es, “just to get used to wh at it’s like to write in a langua ge that computers unders tand.” – Larissa Fedunik
1Centre founder Miriana Lo wrie is utilising her background in business and sales to make her way in tech
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hen businesses work tog ether, they can uti lise ‘trade credit’, wh ich lets them buy now and pay later from suppliers – an essential tool for business growth . Tech founder Miria na Low rie sta rted 1Centre to help businesses tra nsform their trade cre dit processes from costly and slow to quick and efficient. “My path into the tech ind ustry began when I started looking for ways to solve a pain point I had personally experienced,” says Miriana. “When I rea lly sta rted loo king into the problem, I discovered it went so mu ch deeper tha n I’d ever thought possible and I beg an to see how tech cou ld be a game cha nger.” With her background in business and sales, plus experience in the ban king sector, Miria na was ideally equipped to understand the issues businesses face. “It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut of doing things the way you’ve always don e them, but it’s crucia l in business to keep innova ting, finding new and bet ter ways to do things ,” she says. With iwi from Tarana ki, Miria na is also keen to help more Māori wome n get their sta rt in the tech industry. “The journe y of a tech founder is a consta nt and difficu lt one, but it’s also infinitely rewarding as bot h a lea rning experience and a lifestyle,” she says. – Juh a Saarinen Bachelor of Business Auckland University , of Technology
Str ategy and planning manager, ASB bank
Founder and CEO, 1centre
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CODE
>CODE+UNI OF CANTERBURY<
CreeUnaivtersitivy eof Cacntoerbudrye, rwos men from all areas ffee! co At th mentoring – and free of STEM get support,
luence. teacher can be a huge inf your study path, a good roduced int s wa Joe y’ ‘Izz hen it comes to choosing la bel engineering student Isa ) (UC ury cher. terb tea Can ies of log y Universit ool dig ital techno ity in tech by her high sch ativ life cre my of of t ies res ilit sib the pos nd to the nted to spe ed with the outdoors, I wa I was “Being completely obsess I still love the outdoors, as ch mu “As s. say she ,” ple peo ned er tur oth t h tha wit r t sharing tha technologies teache e the most amazing digital hav to ugh eno ate tun for in a dark my life upside down. sn’t just a hacker sitting of programming that wa e sid a to ts that me duc d pro p uce elo rod “She int creativity and dev l. I could incorporate my do.” to d nte wa I at wh s wa it room bashing the termina From that point, I knew s. live ’s ple peo in nce made a differe
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‟In 2018, UC’s Col le Engi neering signed ge of become a Founding Paon to rtner of the Diversity Agend a – an industry-wide ca m that is working towar pa ig n of 20% more women ds a goal en and architects by 20gi neers 21.” TO GET THERE: DIV
THE HEATHER AND DOUG RECORDS
Izzy is working on a project as part of her Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Software Engineering degree, developing a back-office web application for a container-unloading service company in Christchurch. She’s also president of the Women in Tech Society (WiTSoc) on campus. Tech accounts for 5% of the New Zealand workforce, employing more than 100,000 people. It contributes more than NZ$16 billion (8%) to the national economy, yet just one in five ICT workers in NZ are women. However, at UC, the number of women studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours has risen 9% in just six years. WiTSoc provides mentorship, events, social groups and the chance to catch up for (free) coffee with women in STEM who are studying computer science (CS), engineering, data science and more.
Join in! Izzy is passionate about changing the perception of women as a minority in tech. “I think a lot of other women can relate to the feeling of not belonging in this male-dominated field,” she says. “I want to let other women know you can be heard, you can do whatever you want, and there are other women out there like you!”
CS for all
ERSITYAGENDA.ORG
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Sweet spot
Izzy Joe, University of Canterbury student
Izzy’s teacher at Thames High School, Ali Chivers, was inspired by the CS4HS (Computer Science for High Schools) program. Supported by Google, this program has been running out of the University of Canterbury since 2011, enabling teachers to spend several days looking at how to teach CS in an engaging way. “We saw the need for teachers to have meaningful support with content of the new computer science and programming material in NCEA because it contained a lot of material that hadn’t been taught in NZ schools,” says UC Professor Tim Bell, who runs the program. The event also included sending teachers to visit local software companies. Many hadn’t seen the environment that computer science graduates work in, and some were surprised by the skills needed and the kind of people the industry is looking for. “There are still a lot of misconceptions based on stereotypes rather than reality, including the kind of people who are needed by industry to work in this area, the role of coding, and the opportunities available,” says Tim. “Getting to see what it is like first-hand helps the teachers to better recognise which of their own students would thrive in that environment.” – Heather Catchpole
To get there: bit.ly/UniCanterbury 34
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CODE
>CODE+WELLNESS<
Meet Riley and Dr Jordan Nguyen bit.ly/NguyenRiley
PSA: tech changes lives g? Do both and forge din co d an h alt he n ee tw be Torn ing field a great new career in a thriv
CS+Wellness study
ng on his r 9 but he’s already worki iley Saban is only in Yea 6 ABC TV 201 the in ing tur fea ce . Sin fut ure technolog y career n bee has Superhuman, Riley documentary, Becoming kinetic. Psy p rtu sta h tec bassador for a product tester and am me h bio dical followed Riley’s work wit Becoming Superhuman electronics, d use n and his team, who eng ineer Dr Jordan Ng uye that lets Riley tem sys a ate cre intelligence to movements. 3D printing and artificial eye his ctric sig nals triggered by in to operate dev ices using ele bra his d ine tra ebral palsy. He has Riley was born wit h cer ts and ligh m fro s, nal sig eye ent using operate a range of equipm tomised electric buggy. cus a g vin dri to ers comput ica l revolution,” ge of a massive technolog ver the at “We are sta nding en technolog y and t the intersection bet we says Jordan, adding tha life, shape a more ial to improve qua lity of humanity has the potent a bet ter world. g ldin bui s tribute toward inclusive society and con n AU$200 billion ustry is worth more tha The Austra lian hea lth ind Austra lians. ht eig in r and employs one (NZ$218 billion) each yea s Professor Louisa say , and dem big tor wil l be in Coding ski lls in this sec ch ear in Health at Centre for Big Data Res Jorm, who heads up the
R
UNSW Sydney. “There are huge amounts of data starting to flow and very few people with the right capabilities,” she says. Millions of electronic patient records, prescription records and Medicare records are collected daily. This data is useful because it can be ‘cleansed’ – stripped of identifying information – which allows patient data to be analysed for patterns. Harnessing this information can reveal trends in disease outbreaks and treatment, and potentially save money by ensuring preventative programs are targeted to at-risk people. – Fran Molloy
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
START YOUR CAREER HERE nced University of Sydney, Bachelor of Adva ), Computing / Bachelor of Science(Health bit.ly/ BachAdvCompandScienceUniSyd Western Sydney University, Bachelor of Data Science, ciWestSyd and Bachelor of Medical DataS bit.ly/ Bach Science bit.ly/ BachMedSciWestSydUni Sciences, Monash University, Bachelor of Health bit.ly/ BachHSciMonash
CS+Wellness JOBS
Database developer: AU$51K–$117K / NZ$43K–$ 86K Healthcare consultant: AU$52K–$131K / NZ$33K–$119K Data scientist: AU$59K–$135K / NZ$65K–$110K *Source: salaries according to payscale.com
Read more on Careers with Stem online: Wheelie lucky break bit.ly/EngWell
Cancer therapy star From astrophysics to radiotherapy A
fter completing a degree in astronomy and physics, Dr Ilana Feain worked as an astrophysicist at CSI RO for many years before moving into a research position in medical physics at the University of Sydney , where she applied her skills in understanding rea l-time data set processing to create 3D images. Ilana worked with a team to build a real-time imageguided radiotherapy device – the patented Nan o-X system – and is co-fou nde r of Leo Cancer Care, which is trialling upright can cer treatment machines. – B Science Honours Fran Molloy (Astronomy and Phy PhD in Astrophysics, sics), Astrophysics University of Sydne University y research scientist, of Sydney CSIRO Senior research fel low in Medical Physics, Founder and CEO, CEO, Leo University of Sydne Nano-X Ltd y Cancer Care
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>CODE+CSIRO<
g Suimpageinrationmmeoetds greoulndlbrin eaking When tech, magic happens!
– despite how it omputational modelling g your own sounds – isn’t about buildin ing lives with sav ut games on Roblox. It’s abo nufacturing ma ing rov imp ts, surgical implan ara g we ble tech to processes, or even makin cure sleep apnoea! earch scientist Dr Vu Nguyen, a senior res delling in mo at CSIRO, works on applied products ter bet e duc pro manufacturing to ources during the without using physical res cess. pro virtual manufacturing l part or component tua vir the “By assessing you can modify it, on the computer screen, and then check in, aga virtually 3D print it e what you need.” hav you il unt every aspect d to create implants It’s the same process use mple, to replace exa for – ts for cancer patien l of a facial tumour. lost bone after the remova scan to create CT a Vu and his team use y use for the t tha ll sku the a 3D model of duc pro e a perfectly surgery planning and to e’re able to improve “W t. fitting facial implan
C
patient and make the quality of life for the more efficient," he says. the procedure safer and ng is a vital skill nki thi Computational modellers, and for budding computational g tech we never atin it’s opening doors to cre e. thought possibl erful, we can “Computers are now so pow ke it a reality ma and ible imagine the imposs if it will ide dec n the s, tion ula through sim . Vu s say de,” work before it’s even ma putational com r you e rov imp to If you're keen eer car a in rted thinking skills and get sta mends om rec Vu h, tec creating life-changing resource. RO CSI free a , nge alle the Bebras Ch primary school and It’s a race against time for nk outside the box thi to ts high school studen e you an edge and develop skills that giv nce and maths. beyond competency in scie ras 365 to develop Beb to d hea You can also al thinking skills give your skills. “Computation s Vu. “And it’s fun!” say e,” you a new perspectiv – Eliza Brockwell
Dr Vu Nguyen CSIRO senior research scientist
We can imagine the impossible and make it a reality through simulations”
Sign up now for updates on the Bebras challenge: bebras.edu.au
Change the world People working in engineering and technology are reshaping the way we think, work and play. From robotics to 3D modelling, computational thinking skills can be used to solve big challenges and help change the world. How will your computational skills prepare you for the jobs of the future?
Develop computational thinking skills Sign up for Bebras – a free international online challenge designed to enhance computational skills and prepare students for the jobs of the future.
www.bebras.edu.au
B&M | 18-0048
www.csiro.au
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>CODE+SOCIAL IMPACT< Techfugees: bit.ly/WhatIsTechfugees Refugee Talent: refugeetalent.com
s e e g u f e r g n i r e Empow s l l i k s h c e t h t i w
START YOUR CAREER HERE
tackling Non-profit organisations are solutions global challenges with tech
CS+social Y impact STUD Arts and Science,
Flinders University, Bachelor of bit.ly/ FlindersScienceArts elor of University of Technology Sydney, Bach elor of Arts Science in Information Technology Bach eITArts in International Studies, bit.ly/ UTSScienc ation Inform of elor University of Queensland, Bach Technology/Arts, bit.ly/ UQITArts
W
stralia as hen he first arrived in Au professional IT 5, 201 in gee refu a Syrian challenge one Nirary Dacho’s number ithout “W . ent ym plo was finding em or tion gra inte no be can re employment, the future.” a ld bui ’t “You can independence,” he says. as h suc s ion sat ani Luckily, there are org operation that Techfugees, a non-profit munit y’s response coordinates the tech com e mig ration and uge ref to the cha llenges of vement connects mo bal glo is Th . set tlement designers, s, tech eng ineers, developer wit h ref ugees ps rtu sta entrepreneurs and and suppor t agencies. of Techfugees Austra lia, One of the co-founders tech is a great enabler. Anne-Ma rie Elias, says ple to rea lise the “My pur pose is to get peo this stuff,” she says. of ure human-centred nat
Nirary Dacho Refugee Talent
impact JOBS CS+socialloper : AU$49K–$ 98K Software deve / NZ$44K–$ 93K 85K Web designer: AU$38K–$78K / NZ$37K–$ r: inato Community relations coord AU$51K–$ 87K / NZ$55K–$ 95K *Source: salaries according to payscale.com
SHUTTERSTOCK
People focus
st popula r events are Some of Techfugees’ mo bia nnual Hackathons, and ps workshops, meet-u rs ss people and storytelle where developers, busine “I’m so ts. jec pro ian tar ani hum establish tech-based our Hackathons,” says proud of the diversity of es r wit h Set tlement Ser vic Anne-Ma rie. “We par tne .” ries sto ir es to sha re the Austra lia to enable ref uge ary and former Save Nir ed pir ins n tho A Hacka Robson to establish na An the Children employee rtup matches ref ugees to Ref ugee Talent. The sta el of expertise. “Socia l jobs that ref lect their lev s Nirary. “The most lain impact is our goa l,” exp y.” g the ref ugee communit rewarding par t is helpin
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
Bishal Sapkota (centre) and
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the Uni of Melbourne Vati
can Hack Team
Techfugees Hackathon 2017
Anne-Ma rie says Austra lia is ful l of ski lled people such as Nir ary who wa nt to ma ke a contribution. “It’ s rea lly profound that Techfugees can hel p,” she says.
All the skills
Tech sta rtups need a ran ge of talents. Whether you have a fla ir for sof twa re development, business or communications, you can get onboard and ma ke an impact. Anne-Ma rie has worke d in non-profit government and commu nit y organisations, while her Techfugees cofounders Annie Parker and Nicky Wi llia mson come from tech backgrounds. AnneMa rie says this mix of ski ll sets results in the best dynamic.
Hackathon at the Vatican
When Universit y of Me lbourne graduate Bishal Sapkota went to VHacks – the first ever sof twa re hackat hon hosted by the Vatica n – the most crucia l thing he lea rned was “to forget what you think you know”. “Instead, reach out and understand what is required to provide the most value to the people you wa nt to ser ve, ” he says. The Universit y of Melbo urne team prepared for the cha llen ge by connecting wit h ref ugees and organi sations such as the Red Cross. They compet ed aga inst 20 unis from around the world to create a protot ype app that would help mig rants and ref ugees wit h relocation and integr ation.
Techfugees Meetup 2018
It takes a village
goal. Social impact is ouris rt The most rewardinge pa mmunity” helping the refuge co Read more on CareerswithSTEM.com bit.ly/Techfugeesstory
Their solution, the My Vil lage app, has info critical to starting a new life, from where to do the grocery shopping to using public transport. It also connec ts users with a local buddy to make the integra tion process easier. The best thing about tec h solutions? “They can be customise d to help each human being,” explains Nirary. Adds Anne-Ma rie: “It’s all abo ut solving problems for humanity.” – Larissa Fedunik
h c e t h it w p a g e h t g Closin llenges to Aboriginal echnology poses unique cha granted, but for e culture that you might tak OB are making igiM inD that’s where apps such as works across m gra pro OB change. “The inDigiM rn Territory. the Nor the in remote communities Digital Mentors to It employs local Indigenous wledge in communities embed digital skills and kno l importance,” explains and within projects of loca er at inDigiMOB. Ben Smede, project manag
T
ing the app Ben and his team are develop to information ess acc t ien as a por tal for conven on using smartphones and advice, including tips ely; managing data, and devices more effectiv ing ser vices; saving money and access g tools created in staying safe online; learnin l as fun, informative Aboriginal language; as wel munities. content created by local com 39 ell – Eliza Brockw
i n fo: More i n Di g i MOB / y l bit.
CODE
>CODE+YOU<
h t g n e r t s r e e r a c r Test you How ready are you to kick off your career?
Total possible points = 300+
#1 Do you have a resume? If yes: Score! Add 50 points. If no: Head to bit.ly/HowToResume to get started
#2 Are you studying maths at school? If yes: Add 50 points. Well done you ! If no : Dock 10 points (yes, it’s that important !)
#3 Do you have career-ready skills developed outside of school? Think coding clubs, design software, excel spreadsheets?
201-300 points
If yes: Add 10 points for every skill you’ve gained (be honest!)
= Career knockout!
If no: Upskill at bit.ly/ExtraSkills
Looks like you’re all equipp ed to seek out your dream career !
#4 Do you have a mentor? If yes: 10 points! If no: Mentors are easy to find and a great source of career inspiration! Parents, teachers or career professionals make great mentors. Just catch up with them once a month to get some great advice.
#5 Do you have a part-time job? If yes: Bank 25 points.
If no : If you have time, fitt ing in a job will give you super employab le skills.
for you ! If yes: Nice one – 50 points ekend Netflix time If no : Try swapping your we . It’s invaluable! for some work experience
#7 Have you spent time volunteering?
0-100 points
If yes: Check out the social justice stories (from page 28) then tack on another 25 points!
= Hit and miss
Uh-oh, it appears your career readiness doesn’t pack much punch. Whether you’re new to high school or days away from graduation, there’s no time like the present to get a stronger start at work or uni.
If no: Head to govolunteer.com.au to earn back those points!
#8 Have you made po school study plans?st-high SHUTTERSTOCK
Learn how to develop you r passions and find your STE M+X at bit.ly/CWCFindyourpas sion or visit the course finder on page 45 to kick start your career.
points.
If no : You’ve come to the right magazine ! Check out the cou rse finder (page 45 ) to get back on tra ck.
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
101-200 points
= Rolling with the punches
You’re well on your way to bec oming unstoppably employable! Wh ether it’s a resume you’re missing, or you’re one internship away from bec oming a STEM career star, we’ve got the career resources to get you on track. Get in the know at: bit.ly/GetStartedCwS
d (or started) #6 Have you completeperience? an internship work ex
If yes: You’re on track! 50
Get started at our course finder (page 45) or find the best places to work, as voted by gradua tes : bit.ly/ Top10graduatejobs
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>CODE+CBA<
LAUREN TROMPP
IT skills are very transferable my graduate role . at Commonwealth Bank has helped me see the breadth of the industry”
Take your pick
ture nds of doors to the fu ki l al en op n ca ch A career in te had co-founded a tech d to do. His fat her, who
a of what he wa nte , but he didn’t school wit hout a clear ide throughout high school yla n Treisman says he left . Dylan took IT subjects ing cod in st ere int an e tak to company, encouraged him into ver y tra nsferable ski lls career in computing. a ing ow foll f sel him wing I cou ld take those see kno , ree deg IT an o int falling “Dad’s inf luence led to me rked mind later,” he says. ferent internships. “I wo my d nge cha I if d fiel r included two vastly dif S anothe UT at pment,” ree elo deg dev y b log ation Techno dcore, cut ting-edge we Dylan’s Bachelor of Inform ter tainment I was in har En e at e Nin at her n role the te and Westpac, , and my gradua as a business ana lyst at lls are ver y tra nsferable ped me rea lise that IT ski hel nce erie exp e ry.” “Th s. ust he say h of the ind the design and helped me see the breadt m the ground up – from Commonwealth Ban k has per. “I bui ld websites fro elo dev what the user sees.” b we nge ck cha sta n l tur ful a is the other end, which in at se In his current role, Dylan aba dat the one single nge ks, to actions that cha t he doesn’t need to ma ke the but tons the user clic do, but he’s rea lised tha to background gives like a d as he’ at ries wh ust ctly clear exa ferent roles across ind dif h wit nce Dylan says he’s stil l not erie exp ss ine Molloy coding ski lls and the bus tion to bui ld on.” – Fra n decision. “Having bot h I have a rock-solid founda like l fee "I s. say he s," Enterprise me so ma ny option software engineering Services Gr aduate, e intern, nin Commonwealth Bank business analysis Bachelor of entertainment intern, westpac Information Technology, UTS
D
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CODE
>CODE+SKILLS<
Upskill yourself You’ve got the passion and you’ve got the know-how... now it’s time to uncover your top-paid job by mastering the best skills to get you there
rts Advice from the expescience
in computer Want to get started b you'd like best? but not sure which jonals for their advice We asked top professio Looking to join a company?
then we want science as a core skill, but “Employers want computer ther that’s whe – your unusual other skills your passion, your interest, ut abo just e learning, gaming or photography, writing, machin of cer offi ing szka is chief operat anything else.” – Alex Gru tech the ting por sup it organisation StartupAUS, a not-for-prof rtups. sta ian tral Aus of wth ing the gro community and accelerat
Invent your career “Communication would be my number one trait. If you aren’t able to communicate your next big idea from code to plain English, how will it become the next billion-dollar venture? Another trait is to always be curious. In an ever-changing field such as computer science, self-learning is what will help you not just survive, but thrive.” – Shreya Srinivas is a business architect at tech firm Capsifi and is also pursuing a Masters in IT from the University of Technology Sydney with a major in data science.
jobs set to bootinmg
siness? Want to start your own bu really good at maths to get
technical or “You don’t have to be super d to be rt a tech business, you nee sta into the tech sector. But to id to try afra be up your sleeves and not resilient and be able to roll your vision te nica mu ate and able to com anything new. Being passion Lloyd is ma Gem – ial.” is also essent to bring others on the journey that rk wo net s job al an internation co-founder of Work180, n. me wo ted len h ta wit inesses connects smart tech bus
pu Cloud and distributed com ect hit arc ud Example: Clo AU $120K / NZ $120K ta mining Statistical analysis and da t Example: Business analys 0K AU $80K / NZ $7 on software Middleware and integrati er Example: Systems engine 5K AU $85K / NZ $6 elopment framework Web architecture and dev eloper Example: Full stack web dev AU $110K / NZ $110K User interface (UI) design 5K / NZ $50K* Example: UI designer AU $6
#1 #2
#3 #4
#5
skills for all CS roles #1 Problem solving #2 Adaptability #3 Time management #4 Organisation #5 Oral communication
Why choose a career with code? >CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
The growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and the internet of things is making computer science (CS) skills more important than ever. Australia needs at least 200,000 more workers in the tech sector in the next five years to thrive in the digital economy. Combining your passion with CS skills will allow you to be part of this tech revolution, plus you’ll be set in the job market for years to come.
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ience as a core We want computer sc passion, your ur yo t an w so al e w t skill, bu l other skills" ua us un ur yo d an st intere
SO hot right now As this list of the top five mo st in-demand roles shows, a job in the tech sector doe sn’t have to be “techy”. Tech job /career Salary Project manager AU$103,000 / NZ$ 88,000 Business analyst AU$ 81,800 / NZ$72,000 Business development ma nager AU$78,900 / NZ$ 69,100 Software engineer AU$75,200 Senior business analyst
/ NZ$ 69,200
AU$109,900 / NZ$ 96,000*
Hot in the future
Tech job/career
Salary
Coders – including full stack developers
AU$107,400 / NZ$117,300
Coders – front-end
AU$70,600 / NZ$60,800
Coders – mobile
AU$68,300 / NZ$60,000
User experience (UX) designers
AU$69,700 / NZ$61,400
Data scientists
AU$97,800 / NZ$95,800*
Google skills
t a survey of their staff, six sof Want to work at Google? In ns: atio lific qua M above STE skills came out top of the list,
Adrian Arumugam, site reliability engineer
1
Being a good coach.
Joël Kalmanowicz, Google product manager (see profile p8)
2
Communicating and listening well.
ers Possessing insight into oth . es) valu ir the ng ludi (inc
3
5
Being a good critical thinker and problem solver.
More in fo: bit.ly/CwSAd ria n
*ALL SALARIES APPROXIMATE AND FROM PAYSCALE.COM
StartupAUS recently revealed a skills gap in the Australian technology market – there’s not enough talented people to help grow Australian tech businesses. If you’ve got what it takes to work in any of these five roles, you’ll be in high demand.
4
Having empathy towards – and being supportive of – colleagues.
6
Being able to make connections across complex ideas.
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CODE
Find out more at superhero.acs.org.au >CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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>DIRECTORY<
JOIN IN!
FIND ROBOTICS, ENGINEERING AND CODING CAMPS, CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES NEAR YOU Australian STEM Video Game Challenge {Deets} Years 5-12. What is it? It’s a competition. It’s national. It’s free. And students get to build their own working educational video game. Run by the ACER Foundation, the mission of the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge is to help engage Australian students with STEM. What skills will I get? Game design, teamwork, coding in Scratch, Gamemaker and Unity 3D. stemgames.org.au
Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge {Deets} Australia, primary to year 12. Bebras is also an international challenge with more than 50 countries around the world running their own version.
Code Jam
Code Quest
{Deets} Global, age 13+.
{Deets} Global, years 5-12.
What is it? Put your programming knowledge and problem-solving skills to use with this comp. A set of problems are provided and you have to write programs that solve them throughout multiple online rounds of algorithmic puzzles against competitors from 130 countries, to advance to the onsite world finals in Toronto, Canada. Up for grabs? A chance to win the coveted title of Code Jam Champion and USD$15,000 (AU$20,900/NZ$23,900).
What is it? Grok Code Quest is a friendly five-week competition where thousands of school students come together to learn code. Bonus: you don’t need to know how to code to compete. The Code Quest crew teach as you go.
CSER Digital Technologies Education
code.google.com/codejam
{Deets} All Australian teachers can access.
Coder Academy {Deets} Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, primary to Year 12. What is it? Every school holidays, Coder Academy runs engaging, fun, and educational school holiday programs for kids aged eight and over to explore their passion for coding and technology. Workshops include circuitry, electronics, robotics, game development, 3D animation, virtual reality, information/cyber security, and web app development.
What skills will I get? Problem solving, pattern recognition, abstraction, modelling and simulation, algorithms, evaluation, digital literacy.
What skills will I get? Computational thinking, problem solving, teamwork, digital literacy, technology creation, collaboration, coding in various languages, communication, design sensibility, user experience, user interface design and enterprise skills.
Careers with STEM {Deets} Global, magazines, app and website aimed at students aged 12-20, plus educators.
bit.ly/CoderAcademyHols
What is it? An inspiration hub for students that shines a spotlight on careers that combine STEM skills with students’ passions, goals and interests. Hundreds of real-world profiles, thousands of study avenues and up-to-date information on salaries, career pathways and options.
Code.org and the Hour of Code
What skills will I get? Job readiness. CareerswithSTEM.com
get.gl/codequest-2018
What skills will I get? A solid foundation in algorithms, problem-solving skills and programming abilities.
What is it? This free, online computational thinking challenge for primary and secondary schools has seen more than 40,000 students call on problem-solving skills to answer questions – and that’s just in the past year! Challenges are linked to the Australian Digital Technologies Curriculum, and teachers can download results and view their students' capabilities.
bebras.edu.au/bebraschallenge
What skills will I get? Computational thinking, programming, problem solving, literacy.
{Deets} Global, online courses, all ages. What is it? Code.org aims to reach students of all backgrounds – regardless of their skill level – and increase access for female and underrepresented minorities to computer science by providing short video clips of free lessons, along with games and challenges. Hour of Code is held each year during Computer Science Education Week, but you can also host an event in your local community. Choose your tutorial, pick a time and Hour of Code organises the rest – no coding knowledge required! What skills will I get? Coding at various levels and languages, computational thinking.
What is it? More than 24,000 teachers across Australia have enrolled in MOOCs for professional development. Supporting Australian teachers to implement the Digital Technologies (DT) curriculum, and offering free, online CSER MOOC courses, free professional learning events, and a National Lending Library, which helps teachers stay connected to the DT world. What skills will I get? An understanding of the DT curriculum and what it looks like in primary and secondary classrooms; confidence in being able to design learning activities and teach DT; join an online community of more than 10,000 teachers to acquire DT lesson ideas based on what others are doing in classrooms across Australia. csermoocs.adelaide.edu.au
Digital Technologies Hub {Deets} Australia-wide, primary and secondary student and teacher resources. What is it? A hub for teachers and students with a huge range of topics in DT, including algorithms, data representation, robotics, user interface and visual programming. It’s a one-stop shop linking you to tools to build your own webpage, games and programs, as well as online quizzes, student tech news, info about upcoming competitions and career advice. What skills will I get? Teachers will get an understanding of the DT curriculum and lesson ideas, while students will be able to explore and test out their digital thinking, as well as data and programming skills. digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au
code.org
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CODE
>DIRECTORY< FIRST LEGO League
NCSS Challenge
RoboCup Junior
{Deets} Global, 9-16 years old.
{Deets} Global, years 5-12.
What is it? Compete in teams of up to 10 students to build and program a robot, then compete with it. Each year, the comp focuses on a real-world theme based on a modern science and engineering problem, from food safety and climate change to senior citizens and nanotechnology. Get your teams together and prepare to battle.
What is it? The NCSS Challenge is unlike any other programming competition – the problems range from relatively simple to mind-bendingly hard. For more advanced students, there is the Challenge Tournament, where they build their own artificial intelligence (AI) and compete against other AIs in an online card game tournament. More than 14,000 students competed in the 2018 NCSS Challenge and wrote 576,315 code submissions. Wow!
{Deets} Australia and New Zealand, primary and secondary students. Tertiary students can participate at an international level, and are often competition volunteers for the RoboCup Junior Competitions in Australia.
What skills will I get? Build, test, and program an autonomous robot; teamwork. firstaustralia.org/programs/ first-lego-league
FIRST Robotics {Deets} Global, 14-18 years old. What is it? FIRST Robotics is a wild ride through all of the areas that come together in computer science: from coding your own robot to communications, project management, media skills and engineering. With a focus on community, personal achievement, teamwork and professionalism, it’s an awesome opportunity to have more fun than you can poke a wireframe at. What skills will I get? Engineering, teamwork, business development, coding, presentation, gracious professionalism. firstaustralia.org/programs/ first-robotics-competition
Girls’ Programming Network {Deets} Australia (currently located in Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Cairns and Mackay), years 7-12. What is it? Free one-day programming workshops run by women for high school girls. Students of all levels create projects that are relevant to them, play computer science games and meet peers and mentors in a supportive environment. Each year, the network teaches more than 1000 girls around Australia to build fun and creative programs. What skills will I get? Programming in Python, computer science algorithms, teamwork, mentor/mentee relationships. bit.ly/girlsprogram
iSTEM {Deets} NSW high schools, years 9-10. Program timeframe: One or two-year school elective subject. What is it? iSTEM is a subject developed for Year 9 and Year 10 students, teaching STEM in an integrated way. Real-world project- and problem-based learning engages teams of students in areas such as aerospace and mechatronics and exposes them to technology, including 3D printers, virtual reality and drones. This elective is a School Developed Board Endorsed Course and is included on students’ academic record in NSW.
What skills will I get? Coding, problem solving, mathematics, programming, literacy, computational thinking.
What skills will I get? Engineering, maths, science, technology, physics, coding, programming, logic, teamwork, collaboration and project-based learning. AU: robocupjunior.org.au
get.gl/challenge-2019
NZ: bit.ly/RobocupNZ
NCSS Summer School
Robogals Around the World Tour
{Deets} Australia and New Zealand, years 10-12.
{Deets} Global (hosted by 30 Robogals chapters in more than 10 countries), years 8-12.
What is it? The NCSS Summer School is a 10-day residential program for students going into Years 11 and 12. Hosted by the University of Sydney in January, students work with university tutors and industry professionals building software and robotics projects, attending lectures and working in teams. Join more than 120 students from across Australia and New Zealand at the most amazing “Geek Camp” and visit places including Atlassian, Google and WiseTech Global. Even complete a scavenger hunt – there are way too many highlights to list! What skills will I get? Programming, understanding of careers in tech, project management, problem solving, teamwork and exposure to what university life (and a job in tech) is like.
What is it? In celebration of Robogals’ 10th anniversary, they are hosting an international series of workshops specially designed around the theme of “a global community”. These workshops will be run by local Robogals chapters worldwide and will include engineering activities and challenges with a global focus, as well as providing the opportunity to learn about famous women in STEM. The Around the World Tour will embody the Robogals vision of “a global culture of inclusion and diversity in engineering” and will highlight Robogals’ global impact over the last 10 years, celebrating how much they’ve achieved in the world of STEM. What skills will I get? Programming, critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork.
ncss.edu.au/summer-school
robogals.org
PC4G (Programming Challenge For Girls)
She# (SheSharp)
{Deets} New Zealand and Melbourne, year 10 girls.
{Deets} Auckland, New Zealand. Years 8-13, tertiary students, professionals from industry.
What is it? PC4G is an annual one-day event to introduce junior high school girls (Year 10) to programming. Girls participate in teams of two. No experience is necessary as PC4G events include tutorials, which teach the programming language, Alice, that is used in the competition.
What is it? She# is a non-profit networking group for high school girls, women in tertiary studies and industry professionals. Working with major companies and institutes around Auckland, including Orion Health, Nyriad, IBM, Google, AUT, Xero, Trade Me, Westpac, Flexware, Fiserv and GridAKL, She# holds up to 10 events each year.
What skills will I get? Coding language, algorithmic thinking.
What skills will I get? Career skills in management, leadership and communication.
pc4g.org.nz
shesharp.co.nz
What skills will I get? STEM-based, including engineering, coding and computational thinking. meprogram.com.au/istem
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
What is it? RoboCup Junior runs robotics competitions for primary and secondary school students across Australia. Students build and program robots to participate in Rescue, Soccer and OnStage Challenges.
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STARportal {Deets} Families, teachers and STEM providers for primary and secondary students, Australia-wide. What is it? A comprehensive collection of STEM activities and providers. STARportal makes it easy to search activities (such as competitions, in-class learning or online programs) by area of interest, age group or location, or to advertise your own STEM program. What skills will I get? STEM skills, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication. starportal.edu.au
Tech Girls are Superheroes {Deets} Australia and New Zealand, girls aged 7-17. What is it? The Search for the Next Tech Girl Superhero is a 12-week program, open to teams of girls only. After being matched with a female tech mentor for weekly meetings, teams identify a problem in their local community, then research and document a solution in a business plan, build a working app prototype and pitch it in a public video. What skills will I get? Coding, presentation, teamwork and community awareness. bit.ly/TechGirlSearch
The Science and Engineering Challenge
Web.Comp 2019
{Deets} Australia-wide, primary, years 9-11 and tertiary students.
What is it? Web.Comp is a web design and coding competition for school students, with weekly challenges. In the final week, students can submit a design and vote on others as part of the web design tournament finale.
What is it? The Science and Engineering Challenge (SEC) provides a pathway of memorable and fun experiences aimed at dispelling misconceptions and inspiring young people to pursue a STEM career. Each year, almost 50,000 people participate in SEC, supported by more than 3500 volunteers and more than 2300 teachers.
{Deets} Global, Years 7-13.
What skills will I get? Experience in HTML/CSS, design skills, communication skills and creativity. get.gl/webcomp2019-cwc
What skills will I get? Teamwork, STEM skills, creative/entrepreneurial skills and leadership.
Young ICT Explorers
bit.ly/SandEchallenge
{Deets} Australia-wide, years 3-12.
The University of Newcastle SMART Program {Deets} Newcastle and regional NSW, Australia. Kindergarten to year 8. What is it? The SMART Program (Science, Maths and Real Technology) delivers interactive, in-school science shows, plus hands-on coding and robotics holiday workshops at the University of Newcastle. These are designed to inspire, inform and involve students in STEM. Students learn visual programming languages (Scratch, Blockly, Mindstorms) and practice coding with Lego EV3 Robots, Dash, OSMO, Edison, Bee-Bots, Sphero SPRK+ and Micro:bits.
What is it? Young ICT Explorers is an open-ended tech and innovation competition where students submit tech-related projects for the chance to win fantastic prizes and showcase their ideas to the world. Through creativity and innovation, students get a greater understanding of the possibilities available via todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology. What skills will I get? Technical skills, research, critical thinking, teamwork, presentation skills and networking. bit.ly/YoungICTexplorers
What skills will I get? Teamwork, problem-solving, visual programming, coding logic and creativity. bit.ly/SMARTprog
Need help implementing Digital Technologies? Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, Australian Computing Academy provides what you need to teach Digital Technologies: classroom-ready resources lesson plans teacher professional development help@aca.edu.au
aca.edu.au 47
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FOCUS ON STUDY LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT UNI DEGREE TO GET YOUR COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREER STARTED? SCROLL THROUGH OUR LIST OF OPTIONS TO SEE WHICH COURSE BEST FITS YOUR CS + (INSERT YOUR PASSION HERE)...
CS + Changing World IT, systems management, digital Auckland University of Technology >> Computer and Information Sciences (Computational Intelligence) >> Computer and Information Sciences (Networks and Security) University of Auckland >> Science (Computer Science) University of Canterbury >> Commerce (Information Systems) >> Engineering (Software, Electrical, Computer) University of Otago >> Arts (Hons) (Computer Science) >> Science (Hons) (Information Science)
New Zealand CS + X (everything) Media, arts, music, mathematics, technology
University of Waikato >> Computing and Mathematical Science (Hons) (Computer Science) >> Engineering (Software) Victoria University of Wellington >> Engineering (Cybersecurity Engineering) >> Engineering (Network Engineering)
Auckland University of Technology >> Creative Technologies (Hons) University of Auckland >> Music/Science >> Software Engineering
CS + Wellness Science (lab, biomedical), health, medical
University of Canterbury >> Science (Computer Science)
University of Auckland >> Science (Data Science)
University of Lincoln >> Arts (Hons) (Animation and Visual Effects) >> Science (Hons) (Computer Science) >> Science (Hons) (Games Computing)
University of Canterbury >> Science (Data Science)
University of Waikato >> Design (Media Design)
University of Waikato >> Computing and Mathematical Science (Hons) (Data Analytics) >> Science (Applied Computing)
Victoria University of Wellington >> Science (Computer Graphics)
Victoria University of Wellington >> Science (Biotechnology)
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
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CS + Social Impact IT, science, arts, design
Auckland University of Technology >> Computer and Information Sciences University of Auckland >> Science (Logic and Computation) University of Canterbury >> Engineering (Mechatronics) >> Product Design Victoria University of Wellington >> Design Innovation
CS + Natural Resources
Science, environment, law, commerce University of Auckland >> Engineering (Software)/Science (Geography) >> Science/Laws University of Otago >> Commerce (Information Science) >> Science (Oceanography) Victoria University of Wellington >> Science (Ecology and Biodiversity)
Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology also offer CS:
Australia CS + X (everything) Media, arts, music, mathematics, technology
>> Ara Institute of Canterbury NZ Diploma in Web Development and Design
Australian Catholic University >> Media Production
>> ATC NZ Diploma in Software Engineering and Design
Charles Darwin University >> Creative Arts and Industries (New Media Design) /Information Technology
>> Eastern Institute of Technology Diploma in Programming >> Manukau Institute of Technology Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (Level 6)
Federation University Australia >> Information Technology (Professional Practice)
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of degree names at the time of publication. This is by no means an exhaustive list; there are plenty of other degrees available. Search degrees in science, tech, engineering and maths at CareerswithSTEM.com
>> Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology Diploma in IT
Murdoch University >> Science (Computer Science) >> Science (Games Software Design and Production) >> Science (Maths and Statistics) >> Science (Hons) (Mobile/Web App Development)
>> Northland Polytechnic Graduate Diploma in IT
QUT >> Creative Industries/Information Technology
Careers with Code 2018 is a publication of Refraction Media. Copyright Š 2018 Refraction Media, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner or form without written permission. If you would like to reproduce anything from this magazine, email: info@refractionmedia.com.au.
>> Otago Polytechnic Certificate in Network Administration (Level 6)
Torrens University Australia >> Digital Media (3D Design and Animation)
This issue went to press on 27 September 2018. Printed in Australia by BlueStar Web.
>> PowerPlus Diploma in Web Development and Design (Level 5)
University of Adelaide >> Computer Science >> Engineering (Hons) (Software)
Cover image: Lauren Trompp
>> Southern Institute of Technology Diploma in Computer Game Development >> Tai Poutini Polytechnic Diploma in Information and Communications Technology (Level 6) >> Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology NZ Diploma in Networking NZ Diploma in Software Development (Level 6) >> Universal College of Learning NZ Diploma in IT Technical Support >> Waikato Institute of Technology NZ Certificate in IT (Level 5) >> Wellington Institute of Technology Diploma in IT (Level 6) >> Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki NZ Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) >> Whitireia Community Polytechnic Diploma in Advanced Network Engineering (Level 7) Diploma in IT (Level 5) >> PowerPlus Diploma in Web Development and Design (Level 5)
University of Melbourne >> Science (Mechatronics) >> Design (Digital Technologies) University of Notre Dame >> Law/Communications & Media UNSW >> Media Arts (Hons)/Computer Science
Produced and published by: Refraction Media Thanks to all of the Googlers who helped out with this guide: Sally-Ann Williams, Paul Buckley, Marie Efstathiou and many more! Founder, CEO & Publisher: Karen Taylor-Brown Founder & Head of Content: Heather Catchpole Digital Producer: Eliza Brockwell Deputy Editor: Pippa Duffy Partnerships Manager: Natalie Rayment Art Director: Katherine Power Subeditor: Gavin Dennett
CS + Changing World
Proofreader: Dr Kath Kovac
IT, systems management, digital
Editorial Assistant: Larissa Fedunik
ANU >> Advanced Computing (Hons) (Research and Development) >> Applied Data Analytics
Issue editorial advisors: Dr Eva Cheng, deputy director of women in engineering and IT, UTS, and Nicola O'Brien, computing education specialist, Australian Computer Academy.
Charles Sturt University >> IT (Network Engineering) CQ University >> IT (Network Security) Deakin University >> Criminology/Cyber Security James Cook University >> Engineering (Hons) (Electronic Systems & Internet of Things) QUT >> Engineering (Hons) (Computer and Software Systems) University of Canberra >> Engineering (Hons) (Network and Software Engineering) University of Melbourne >> Science (Computing and Software Systems)/ Master of Engineering (Software with Business) >> Bachelor of Commerce/Master of Information Systems
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Publishing Coordinator: Valeria Di Mauro
Writers: Eliza Brockwell, Heather Catchpole, Pippa Duffy, Larissa Fedunik, Karl Gruber, Rebecca Hanlon, KJ Lee, Lauren Martin, Fran Molloy, Nicky Ringland, Juha Saarinen, Ben Skuse, Cherese Sonkkila, Cassie Steel, Chloe Walker Subscribe and order copies: CareerswithSTEM.com EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES: 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia, 2029 Email: info@refractionmedia.com.au Advertising enquiries: contact Karen Taylor-Brown at karen@refractionmedia.com.au or +612 9188 5459 Postal address: PO Box 38, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Sydney, Australia Web edition + more: CareerswithSTEM.com.au ISSN 2209-1076
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>DIRECTORY< University of Technology, Sydney >> Advanced Science (Advanced Materials and Data Science) >> Science in Analytics
University of South Australia >> Information Technology (Software Development)
University of Western Australia >> Science (Data Science)
University of Sydney >> Engineering (Hons) (Software) University of Technology, Sydney >> Computing Science (Hons) UNSW Sydney >> Computer Engineering (Hons) >> Software Engineering (Hons)
CS + Natural Resources
CS + Social Impact
Australian National University >> Law (Hons)/Science (Computer Science)
Curtin University >> Science (Geographic Information Science) /Arts (Geography)
Science (lab, biomedical), health, medical
Deakin University >> Information Systems/Commerce
ANU >> Medical Science/Science (Computer Science)
Flinders University >> Science(Computing)/Arts
RMIT University >> Science (Biotechnology)/Biomedical Science
James Cook University >> Business (Business Intelligence & Information Systems)
University of Melbourne >> Biomedicine/Master of Science (Bioinformatics) >> Master of Information Systems (Health) University of Newcastle >> Science (Computer Science) /Engineering (Hons) (Computer Systems) >> Science (Computer Science)/Engineering (Hons) (Electrical and Electronics) University of New England >> Computer Science (Data Science) University of Sydney >> Science (Bioinformatics) >> Advanced Computing/Science (Health) University of Tasmania >> Engineering (Hons) (Biomedical)
UNSW Business School >> Commerce/Information Systems
UNSW Sydney >> Bioinformatics Engineering (Hons)
Science, IT, commerce
CS + Wellness
University of Technology Sydney >> Science (Information Technology) /Arts (International Relations)
Science, environment, engineering
Curtin University >> Engineering (Computer Systems) /Science (Computer Science) >> Engineering (Electronic & Communication) /Science (Physics) Edith Cowan University >> Engineering (Mechatronics) Griffith University >> Science/Information Technology
Macquarie University >> Science (Computing)/Arts University of Melbourne >> Design (Computing)/Master of Information Technology
La Trobe University >> Laws/Science Macquarie University >> Science (Decision Science) Swinburne University of Technology >> Engineering (Hons) (Robotics and Mechatronics)
University of Newcastle >> Information Technology/Business
University of Melbourne >> Science (Spatial Systems) >> Master of Engineering (Spatial)
University of Queensland >> Information Technology/Arts
University of New England >> Computer Science/Laws
University of South Australia >> Information Technology (Hons) (Enterprise Business Solutions)
UNSW >> Engineering (Telecommunications)
University of Tasmania >> Economics/Information and Communication Technology
Flip or Ca reersFw Cybersecu ith rity
University of Queensland >> Information Technology (User Experience Design)
University of Queensland >> Engineering (Hons) (Software) University of Sydney >> Advanced Computing/Commerce
Here are a few colleges and TAFEs that also offer CS: >> ACIT Certificate III in Information, Digital Media & Technology: Games Programming >> Bendigo TAFE Certificate IV in Computer Systems Technology >> Box Hill Institute Diploma of Information Technology Networking >> Canberra Institute of Technology Certificate IV in Information Technology Testing Diploma of IT >> Chisholm Institute Diploma of Software Development/ Certificate IV in Information Technology
>CAREERSwithSTEM.com<
>> Holmesglen Diploma of Information Technology Networking
>> Open Colleges Australia Certificate IV in Information Technology
>> Kangan Institute Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Technology
>> SAE Institute Diploma of 3D Animation
>> Melbourne Institute of Technology Diploma of Information Technology >> Melbourne Polytechnic Certificate IV in Information Technology Diploma of IT >> North Metropolitan TAFE Certificate IV of Web-Based Technologies Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games Diploma of Software Development
>> South Metropolitan TAFE Certificate IV in Cybersecurity Certificate IV in Programming Diploma of Computer Systems Engineering >> South West TAFE Certificate IV in IT >> TAFE NSW Advanced Diploma of Information Technology Business Analysis Cert IV in Cybersecurity Cert IV in Web-based Technologies Diploma of Database Design Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games
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Diploma of IT Diploma of IT Networking >> TAFE QLD Advanced Diploma of IT Diploma of IT Networking/ Diploma of Information Technology Systems Administration Diploma of Software Development >> TAFE SA Advanced Diploma of Network Security Certificate IV in Programming Diploma of IT Networking Diploma of Website Development >> TasTAFE Advanced Diploma of Computer Systems Technology Certificate IV in Information Technology Support Certificate IV in IT