Careers with ScienceGame-changing jobs of tomorrow Decide where to study Design your future career Get creative with science Tackle PROUDLY SPONSORED BY global challenges careerswithSTEM.com [Bioinformatics] [Data Science] [Entrepreneur] [Food Security] [Smart Health] Supporting human health Innovation for Delivering industry nuclear medicine Understanding the environment www.ansto.gov.au <FOREWORD> The power of science Consider a rewarding career in STEM to shape the future and help tackle the world’s biggest problems. hen Australian Prime Science and Minister Malcolm Turnbull Technology launched the Federal Organisation WGovernment’s National (ANSTO), the Innovation and Science Agenda in 2015, operator of a large he was ushering in what I perceived portion of Australia’s to be an exciting new era for careers most advanced scientific in science, technology, engineering infrastructure including the OPAL and mathematics (STEM) in Australia. research reactor in Sydney and the With a greater focus on science and Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne. innovation we can expect to see both Each day they focus on delivering short- and long-term benefits for solutions for big issues relating to health Australia and the rest of the world. and the environment, and finding new If you’re someone who’d like to help ways to help Australian industries be develop new ideas and innovative the best in the world. solutions to shape the future for ANSTO scientists and engineers have Australia, it’s a great time to consider important qualities and skills that lead to a career in STEM. success in research and in life. They have You could improve human health the capacity to work together effectively and the way we manage our environment, and connect with others, are naturally contribute to innovation in industry, and curious about the world, and most shape how we live and connect with each importantly, have a passion for excellence. other now, and in the future. If you have these qualities I’d encourage When reflecting on my own career, I you to consider a rewarding career in can see how fortunate I’ve been to benefit STEM. If we are to effectively tackle some from a diverse, intellectually challenging of the seemingly insurmountable issues and immensely rewarding career. facing the world today, we’re going to Just ask any of the scientists or need the best minds and hearts to engineers at the Australian Nuclear harness the power of science to do it. Dr Adi Paterson, CEO, ANSTO 3 {Careers with Science} <STARTUP> Career goals Land a unique job by combining your skills with your passion. Laura Boness reports ecoming a lab scientist or a mathematician could lead you to find a cure for cancer Bor discover a new galaxy. And by studying engineering or technology, you could create the next generation of smartphone or maybe your own personal robot. But even if studying straight science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects isn’t for you, there’s a growing number of exciting careers that require these skills. By combining STEM skills with your interests, you can set yourself up for some of the most amazing and in-demand careers, or create an entirely new career. Research shows that an estimated 75% Maddalena went on exchange in SHUTTERSTOCK of the fastest growing occupations require France, as part of her combined Bachelor STEM knowledge and skills. According to of Engineering and Master of Engineering, a US survey by Career Cast, the top 10 jobs after realising that she also wanted to for 2015 were: computer systems analyst, travel and learn languages. occupational therapist, software engineer, She studied for two years at the dental hygienist, data scientist, biomedical École Centrale Paris, as part of the engineer, statistician, mathematician, Top Industrial Managers for Europe My advice is audiologist and actuary (mathematical exchange program – a network of more to find other problem solver and strategist). than 50 engineering schools, facilities interests Many of the industries where STEM and technical universities where students outside of skills are required, such as data science spend two years at a partner university. and engineering, are also evolving in “You have to constantly grow and study and response to the changing needs of society. develop yourself. My advice is to find work – This means we don’t really know what the other interests outside of study and and go on jobs of the future will be. If you combine work – and go on exchange because exchange your passion and skills with STEM, it’s awesome!” you’re likely to be highly employable. Job ads and employer surveys often because Maddalena Gabrielli, a sustainability mention the importance of communication it’s awesome! engineer at the Brisbane Airport skills, as well as initiative, energy and Corporation and a recent graduate the ability to work in a team. from the University of Queensland, Maddalena says networking is one says employers favour flexibility, of the most important skills in building open-mindedness and skills that have her career. “Talk to everyone around you been developed outside of study. and take an interest in what they have “They’re looking for people with life to say. Because when you’re new, you can experience, who’ve travelled, learned a guarantee that everyone around you has language or done other interesting things.” something valuable they can teach you.” {Careers with Science} 4 Combine and conqueR It takes a team of creative thinkers and skilled problem-solvers to change the world. Fran Molloy reports tudying science and engineering “I don’t like to get things wrong. That’s is all about problem solving, which why I team up with experts,” she says. often leads to practical, hands-on With this data, Jane creates advanced Scareers. But there’s also plenty computer modelling that can directly of room to unleash your creativity by influence the survival of endangered combining science or engineering degrees species, like the greater glider – a large with humanities, business, or creative arts. gliding marsupial found in the ranges Combined (or double) degrees allow and coastal plains of eastern Australia. students to do two degrees at the same Jane’s models are used worldwide time. Many unis now allow students to by government, in agriculture and in Build your choose their own pair of degrees, though environmental management to map own degree most also have standard combination the spread of invasive species, determine There’s a growing number degrees on offer. It’s a powerful way to the impact of development on threatened of ways that students can follow your passion while gaining plants and animals, and predict the combine undergrad expertise in a career-focused discipline. impact of climate change on ecosystems degrees and gain skills People with broad skill sets who can and habitats. leading to new and exciting careers. work well with others are going to be in Kaveh Ghezel, head of high demand. In 2015, the Australian Astronomy and film production undergrad recruitment at Government announced $127 million in Following a PhD in extragalactic the University of Sydney, funding to increase partnerships between astronomy at the University of Sydney, says combined degrees are universities and industry – part of a and research on supermassive black increasingly popular, worldwide trend toward collaboration holes in distant galaxies, Dr Tanya Hill allowing students to in research. See pp. 20–21 for just some of took up a role at Melbourne Planetarium. substitute subjects from the available Bachelor degrees and double There she collaborates with animators, each course for electives, degrees in which you can study science. designers, writers, actors, composers, often completing two musicians and sound designers to three-year qualifications in Ecology and statistics produce exciting and interactive just four years. “Employers prefer The work of influential Australian planetarium shows for the public. combined degrees because environmental scientist Dr Jane Elith Tanya’s presentations appear in more students tend to be serves as an example of collaboration than 20 countries and include up-to-the well-rounded and have across disciplines. minute research from scientists at the great communication She works with statisticians, ARC Centre of Excellence for All-Sky skills. They become more computer scientists and ecologists Astrophysics. “The telescopes that we’re creative thinkers when to ‘clean up’ species data from databases building here in Australia are the next they broaden their areas of containing more than 50 million records. generation of astronomy,” she says. specialisation,” he says. DR JANE ELITH: PRIME MINISTER’S PRIZES FOR SCIENCE/WILDBEAR • DR HILL: TANYA MUSEUM VICTORIA • SHUTTERSTOCK 5 {Careers with Science} <HIGHLIGHT: MONASH> Double up Learning science at Monash is a unique experience tailored to your interests and skills – and ultimately to your future career anked in the top 1% of universities What if you have a passion for science worldwide, and home to the Australian but also want to explore another subject? Synchrotron and the Australian Stem “I transferred to Monash in my first year RCell Centre, Monash University is at the because of their double degree,” says Tim, cutting-edge of scientific research. But what’s it who has since studied a range of other like to study science at Monash? subjects from international history and “All the lecturers are keen to get students linguistics to atmospheric science and involved,” says recent grad Tim Newport. philosophy. “Every one of the extra units The science facilities and learning counted towards my degree,” he says. environments are pretty amazing too. “A science degree can be coupled with just CHEW MARK BY PHOTOS “The social spaces are superb and the about any other degree, which can double or classrooms are fresh, colourful and innovative,” quadruple your career options,” adds Chris.