Course and Career Chat

Hosted by Kim Whitty

Careers Education

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Episodes

110

Latest episode

Dec 2025

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About the show

Listen up as Kim, a passionate careers teacher, chats to current tertiary students and staff to find out everything you need to know about university and TAFE courses, the careers they can lead to and the transition from high school to further study.

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60 recent

December 9, 2025Episode 1109 min

VCE Results Are Coming: Understanding Your ATAR and Finding the Right Pathway

VCE results are released tomorrow, and whether you're feeling excited, nervous, or a mix of both, this episode is here to support you. Even though we all know ATARs aren't the most important thing in the long run, they do feel important right now — and that's completely normal. In this short pep talk, I explain why your ATAR is simply a piece of data that helps you make your next step, not a measure of your worth, potential, or future success. You're allowed to celebrate if you're proud of your results, and you're allowed to feel disappointed if they're not what you expected. I also walk you through the wide range of pathways available through VTAC, including vocational courses, UniLink programs, starting at a different university with lower entry requirements, or choosing a similar course at your dream uni and applying to transfer after 6 or 12 months (often with credit!). No matter what number appears on your screen tomorrow, you still have options — so many options.

December 2, 2025Episode 10910 min

What Year 12 Students Should Do Before VCE Results: How to Finalise VTAC Preferences

Now that VCE exams are finished, it's time for Year 12 students to prepare their VTAC preference list before results are released next week. In this episode, I explain why finalising preferences early leads to better choices, how to set up your list with dream courses and pathways, and what to do if you still have no idea what you want to study next year. Timestamps: 1:30 — What to do after VCE exams 4:45 — Why you should finalise VTAC preferences before results 8:30 — What to do if you don't know what you want to study Links: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services VTAC dates: https://vtac.edu.au/dates

November 25, 2025Episode 10814 min

Why ATAR Goals Can Backfire — A Healthier Way to Approach VCE Goal Setting

In this episode, I share why setting goals around a specific ATAR or study score can actually increase stress, reduce motivation and lead to burnout. Inspired by Dr Emily on The Imperfects Podcast, we explore a healthier approach to VCE goal setting — one that focuses on future pathways, not numbers students can't fully control. Timestamps: 1:48 — Why I've never liked ATAR-based goals 3:55 — Dr Emily's take on goal setting 5:20 — Why students burn out when they chase a number 8:20 — How to create healthier, more meaningful VCE goals Links: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services The Imperfects Podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-imperfects/id1476501557?i=1000731475926

November 18, 2025Episode 10713 min

Why VCE Feels So Confusing for Parents — And How to Get the Information You Actually Need

In this episode, I share how trying to navigate my son's cricket club with zero information helped me understand exactly how parents feel when their child starts VCE. You'll hear why VCE feels so overwhelming, why schools often don't communicate clearly, and how understanding the system helps you make better decisions about VCE subjects, tertiary pathways and supporting your teen through Year 11 and 12. Timestamps: 0:45 — Trying to start cricket with no information 6:11 — Why VCE parents feel lost 10:24 — How I support families through VCE Links: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services The Parents' Guide to VCE: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/95

November 11, 2025Episode 10614 min

How to Choose the Right VCE Subjects, Tertiary Courses and Career Pathways (and Stop Cutting Off Your Options)

Choosing VCE subjects and planning a tertiary pathway can feel overwhelming — especially when you're worried about closing off future options. In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I share stories of four students who were unintentionally limiting their choices because of assumptions about what they could or couldn't do. You'll hear how, once they had the right information, they were able to make informed decisions about their VCE subjects, courses, and career pathways — and feel confident about their next steps. Timestamps: 1:00 – Penny's story: Exploring creative careers and overcoming self-doubt 5:30 – Hailey's story: Finding health and medicine pathways that work 10:50 – Two more stories: Deciding between Year 12 and trade pathways Links mentioned: Work with me → roadmapeducation.com/services

November 4, 2025Episode 10514 min

The Truth About ATAR Focused Tutoring Ads: Why They Feed VCE Anxiety (and What Really Helps)

You've seen the tutoring ads — the ones bragging about all their tutors getting ATARs over 99, studying medicine or law, or being dux of their schools. These ads drive me crazy because they completely miss the point. In this episode, I explain why high ATARs don't make someone a good tutor, how tutoring companies lean into a broken VCE system, and why they make promises they can't keep. Most importantly, I'll share how students can actually beat ATAR anxiety by finding their own path — no matter what results they get. 4:02 – Doing well in school doesn't make someone a good tutor 9:04 – The VCE system is broken, and tutoring companies lean into it 10:28 – The tutoring companies are making promises they cannot keep 11:53 – How to actually beat ATAR anxiety Links mentioned: Work with me – Career counselling for high school students in Melbourne: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Do You Need a Tutor or a Career Counsellor: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast/76 Listen to more Course and Career Chat episodes: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast

October 30, 2025Episode 10437 min

Becoming a Counsellor: Tamara's Journey from a Bachelor of Arts to a Master of Counselling at Deakin University

In this episode of Course and Career Chat, I talk with Tamara, who is currently studying a Master of Counselling at Deakin University. She shares her journey from completing a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology and History) to discovering her passion for supporting others through counselling. We discuss what it's really like to study counselling at postgraduate level, the difference between counselling and psychology, and the career opportunities available after a Master of Counselling in Australia. If you're thinking about a career change into counselling, or wondering how to become a counsellor in Australia, this episode will give you a realistic and inspiring insight. 4:50 – Tamara's high school experience and early career interests 9:40 – Why she chose a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and History) 13:48 – Honours in History: research and learning 16:54 – First full-time role and transferable skills 19:30 – Studying the Master of Counselling at Deakin University Links mentioned: Work with me – Career counselling for high school students in Melbourne: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services Learn more about the Master of Counselling at Deakin University: https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/master-counselling Listen to more Course and Career Chat episodes: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/podcast

May 28, 2025Episode 10313 min

Should You Drop a VCE Subject?

What we're talking about: It's nearly the end of Term 2, and I've had a lot of conversations with students lately where they've been trying to decide whether or not to drop a VCE subject that they're studying. To make an informed decision, there's a few things you need to consider - do you know what you want to do when you finish school? Is this subject a prerequisite for that course? Can you support yourself to feel more confident in the subject with some extra help? Could you look at similar courses that don't need it as a prerequisite? Is not liking the subject a clue that maybe your dream course isn't really the one you want after all? Listen up so you can consider your options and decide what will be best for you and your future. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services VTAC CourseSearch: https://delta.vtac.edu.au/coursesearch/#/search

May 20, 2025Episode 10211 min

How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 3 [What Are You Really Good At?]

What we're talking about: In this third part of my mini series "How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses" I'm diving into another question that I'd love for you to consider - What are you good at? I don't mean what subject you're good at (although I did talk about that in episode 102), but instead what is something that comes naturally to you that you use in your everyday life that could be applied to any career you choose? Knowing this can help you see how you can bring key parts of yourself to any role you choose to take in the future. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

May 13, 2025Episode 10112 min

How to Feel Confident About VCE and Choosing Tertiary Courses Part 2 [What's Your Favourite Subject and What Do You Like About It?]

What we're talking about: In this episode, I continue the mini-series on feeling confident about VCE and choosing tertiary courses. Instead of jumping straight to career titles, I encourage you to reflect on your favourite subjects and, more importantly, what you enjoy about them. This approach can provide valuable insights into courses and careers that will allow you to do more of what you actually like. 0:45 – Recap of Episode 100 and the importance of understanding VCE In the last episode I shared some episodes where I explain key aspects of VCE so that you can really understand the system you're working in. If you're stressed at all about VCE, I encourage you to go back and listen to that episode first. 2:27 – The significance of identifying your favourite subject I discuss why pinpointing your favourite subject—and what you like about it—can guide your decisions about future studies and careers. 6:00 – My personal experience with subject preferences and career choices I share my journey of loving maths but not feeling great about the typical career paths everyone was suggesting, like engineering or accounting. 9:50 – The importance of understanding what you enjoy in a subject I delve into how recognising the specific topics or skills within a subject you enjoy can open up a broader range of course and career options that will actually suit you better. I encourage you to take time to reflect on your favourite subjects and what you really like about them so that you can find courses and careers that will allow you to do more of what you like. Links mentioned: Work with me: https://www.roadmapeducation.com/services

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