Welcome back to PRISM, the SCISOC newsletter, and to uni in general! To kick off the term, we go over events that we have planned in the next fortnight, both careers and social, as well as an interview with Samantha Chapman, a Psychological Science graduate. Finally, in the Fun Corner, we have written a letter to spring. Have a read and see if it's something you resonate with!

UNSW SCISOC Presents: Crack into Consulting (24/9/20 6:00-8:00pm)

Come along to this seminar which focuses on UNSW science graduates who are currently working in the consulting industry. SCISOC has enlisted three representatives from the Big 4 to talk about their journey and experiences in consulting. This event also gives you an opportunity to network in person, so look forward to it! Check out our Facebook event here.

PSYCHSOC x SCISOC Online Games Night (25/9/20 8:00-10:00pm)

Reminiscing the early days of quarantine, SCISOC is collaborating with PSYCHSOC, a never-seen-before team, to bring you an online games night for you to meet new friends and have an enjoyable time! Regardless of whether you know people in the societies or not, bring your competitive spirit and get keen for a fun night of Among Us, Spyfall and much more! Check out the full event here!

Careers Interview Series

The release of SCISOC’s new interview series is here! Gain valuable advice from start-up business and follow along to explore the alternative career options for science students, beyond traditional pathways. Each interview is pre-recorded and uploaded for your convenience on Facebook. Keep an eye out for the interviews on our Facebook Page here!

In this week’s issue of “Find Your Future”, where we explore the experiences of science graduates, alumni, and UNSW Science Faculty Staff, and how their majors guided their careers, we interview a Psychological Science graduate: Samantha Chapman.

Join us as we deep-dive into Samantha’s journey into 🧠🥼Psychological Science 🥼🧠: from the progression of her career journey, to advice on how to navigate your career path, and her biggest challenges when studying Psychological Science. If you’re interested in majoring in Psychology, or just want some tips on finding a career based on your major, Samantha offers some insight.

Q. What degree did you study?

I started off with a Bachelor of Psychology, but then decided I didn’t want to do the honours year so graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science!

Q. What has been your career journey so far?

In my first year of uni I got a job as a casual ward clerk at RNS Hospital. I also decided to volunteer as a Crisis Supporter on the phones at Lifeline to figure out if Psychology was what I wanted to do.

After 2.5 years as a volunteer I decided I didn’t want to be a psychologist and heard about the Health Management Grad programs run by the NSW Local Health Districts. I was already working in the system so knew it was something I enjoyed. I applied and got into the one in my own District, Northern Sydney Local Health District!

Q. What piece of advice would you give to students who are trying (and often struggling) to find an industry or career path that their major/science based degree can lead them to?

Network and talk to people. The only reason I heard about these programs is because I took a friend's dad out for a career chat / coffee! You need to be willing to put yourself out there and not expect an amazing job will just land on your doorstep. I stalked a LOT of UNSW alumni on Linkedin and I think that’s an awesome way to plan your career.

Read Full Interview Here

Dear Spring,

I am writing to you today to inform you that out of the four seasons that visit us yearly, you are, by far, my least favourite.

Should I start with the way your temperature changes at the same rate I change my socks? (I change my socks daily, as the rest of you should too...heathens.) One day, we’ll walk around like we’re in the midst of a lovely summer’s day (not an Australian summer, mind you. I have words to say to Summer too, but I’ll leave that for another letter). But then, the next day rolls around, and suddenly the nice breezy outfit I’d just bought the day before does nothing to prevent my limbs from freezing off.

Unfortunately, couples seem to think that you’re the perfect season for nice dates in the park. I visited the park the other day to relax and enjoy the view, only to have it be ruined by the copious amount of couples lying on top of each other. At sundown, they all acted at the same time (as if they were a hivemind!) and immediately started making out furiously and performing actions that are better reserved for the dark, dank corner of a nightclub during the loneliest hour. Shameful.

Not to mention all the creatures you seem to bring when you arrive at my doorstep! As the homeowner, I’m already exceptionally reluctant to let you enter (if it wasn’t for the unfortunate laws of time and physics or whatnot, you’d be lucky to get a glimpse of my neighbourhood), but then you have the audacity to bring all your friends with you too? I don’t want to feel like I’m being spied on by hundreds of moths while I’m taking a shower, and I don’t want to feel like I’m going to pull back the blankets of my bed to reveal a nest of spiders, and I certainly don’t want to feel like I’m playing the world’s deadliest game of Bomberman when I walk the streets and a magpie makes a mad dive for me.

My biggest gripe with you, however, is the way that you trigger my allergies like no other thing ever has. The moment the cursed clock ticked a second over 11:59:59pm on the 31st of August, my nose decided it’d be a great time to take a vacation. If it isn’t being an absolutely, completely useless chunk of flesh in the centre of my face, it’s busy producing bodily fluids that should really just stay within the body. Every time I’m in the grocery store and I wage a losing war against the urge to sneeze, everyone within a ten-foot radius immediately scampers away from me, afraid they’ll catch a virus. And it’s all your fault.

Also, you have a stupid name.

Sincerely,

Waiting for Summer.

UNSW Science Society is proud to announce our continued partnership with GradReady through 2020. GradReady provides GAMSAT Preparation courses for anyone looking to pursue Medicine after they graduate.
This process starts earlier than you think, so if you’re studying medical science or just have that passion, check out what they have to offer!