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Articles by Gemma Chilton
The battery integration puzzle
The future grid won’t just run on renewables – it will run on batteries. From giant grid-scale projects to the car in your driveway, the question remains: how do we make them all work together? At about 2am on 14 December 2017, one of Australia’s largest coal units – Loy Yang A3 in Victoria – tripped without warning, dumping 560 MW off the grid in seconds. Normally, that kind of shock would leave the grid scrambling.
3 essential questions to ask before choosing your study and career path
There is so much to think about when choosing a uni degree, and it can get a little overwhelming. And then, when you think you’ve made up your mind, the deadline for changing preferences looms and you start to doubt yourself all over again! There are the obvious questions like, where do you want to live? What was your favourite subject at school? What’s your ATAR?
Big skills, short courses: fast-track your AI career
AI is transforming everything – from the way we shop and stream to how we work, learn and solve problems. Want to get in on it early? You don’t have to wait until uni. Microcredentials are short, focused online courses that teach you specific skills. In the world of AI, this could mean anything from coding to project management, or even how AI is used in marketing or policy. They’re often self-paced, and can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few weeks to complete.
What will Australia’s grid look like in 2040?
Australia’s power grid is being pulled in every direction. Coal is retiring, renewables are flooding in and climate extremes are straining infrastructure. What was once a predictable, one-way supply chain is now a fast-evolving system with risks coming from both nature and cyberspace. Engineers are scrambling to keep pace – integrating rooftop solar and batteries, reinforcing old lines, designing a grid that can bend without breaking.
When adventure goes wrong
The sky was clear, but the ground beneath Anna Nicholas was sodden, chewed into a slurry by the boots of hikers trekking through days of rain. It was her third day on the South Coast Track – a remote 85km wilderness traverse through Tasmania’s Southwest National Park. Anna and her two walking companions, Claire Cook and Claire Hynes, had been trudging for more than six hours through thick, ankle-deep mud, packs heavy on their backs.
10 old-school career tips it's time to ditch
It’s time to embrace some fresh perspectives! Here are 10 old-school career tips we need to let go of, in favour of more modern, relevant advice to help your teen on their path to success Gone are the days when people had one job for their entire career.
Your top quantum careers questions, answered
Considering a future-focused career in quantum science and technology (or wondering what that even means?). We’ve answered all your quantum career FAQs CSIRO has updated its projections for Australia’s quantum technology industry. The upshot? Loads of future career potential. According to the figures, by 2045 Australia’s quantum technology sector will have reached $6 billion and generated 19,400 jobs. But what will those jobs look like, and who will they be for?
Defence + Intelligence Careers
A career in Defence + Intelligence & Data means using the power of data and information to predict and prevent national security threats. It’s a growing field always looking for curious, STEM-skilled people who love tackling complex problems and are passionate about making a real-world impact. Check out these key agencies where you might land your dream job. Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) Analyse complex information to protect Australia.
Site Engineer - Careers with STEM
Kayla’s favourite subjects in high school were Maths and Design & Technology. “I enjoyed the objectivity and logic behind STEM subjects, and DT complimented this well with a bit of creativity,” she says. And as far as career goals – she had her heart set on becoming an architect. However, Year 10 work experience at an architectural firm changed her perspective – she realised she wanted something heavier on STEM, and soon landed on civil engineering.
5 ways engineers use creativity
Creativity is all about thinking up new and unique ideas, seeing problems and situations in new ways and inventing solutions that might be surprising or out of the ordinary. And it’s not limited to fields like art and music! Creative skills are super valuable in every career, including engineering. The good news? Creativity doesn’t have to be something you’re born with – it’s a skill that can be developed over time through regular practice.
Previous Bragg judges reveal their top 3 science writing tips!
Want to become a published writer before you even finish high school? Read this to give yourself the best shot at winning the 2024 UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing Every year, the UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing invites students in years 7 to 10 to submit a short essay responding to a particular topic, with a stack of cool prizes (and writer cred!) on offer. This year the essay theme is “People power: Working together tho protect the environment”.
10 hot health science careers
According to government stats, ‘Health Care and Social Assistance’ not only employs more Australians than any other sector, it’s also the fastest growing sector in the country. It includes doctors, dentists and nurses, allied health professionals like physiotherapists, paramedics and exercise scientists, and also people working in health careers in aged care and childcare. There are loads of factors contributing to the huge demand for grads with health skills.
Building a sustainable future with Indigenous science
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have developed and passed down vast bodies of knowledge over tens of thousands of years, drawing on their deep connection to the land and its ecosystems. Australian universities offer a growing number of courses that delve into Indigenous science and knowledge systems. Graduates can work alongside Indigenous communities, in environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and more.
Tech careers in transforming business
Welcome to the tech + business universe – a place where coders help companies stay ahead of the game and startups disrupt entire industries. Get ready to discover how tech gurus are transforming our workplaces, retail, banking and more, and how you can build a career in this exciting space. Here are some of the skills you’ll need to score a tech + business job: ● Coding: Understanding different programming languages will give you an edge in most tech jobs.
Tech to the rescue: careers in disaster response
From bushfires to floods, tsunamis and earthquakes, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand see their fair share of natural disasters. And as climate change cranks up the intensity of many of these events, how well we cope often boils down to how well we predict, prepare for and respond to them. That’s where careers in disaster response come in. Enter the tech heroes – skilled problem solvers using the power of STEM to make our world safer.
Engineering + aerospace = your launch pad to success
Imagine designing the planes that zip across our skies or the rockets that venture into the cosmos. Welcome to the world of aerospace, a field that combines creativity, technology and plenty of outta-this-world adventure. Aerospace careers in engineering span the creation and upkeep of aircraft, satellites and propulsion systems.
Coding the future: Robotics & AI in engineering
The age of AI is here, and engineers are going to play a crucial role in navigating us through it Here’s a deep dive into robotics and AI in engineering, plus the present and future careers in this space! Did you know? Revenue in Australia’s robotics market is projected to reach a hefty $860 million in 2023, and the future is even brighter. By 2027, that number is expected to climb to $1 billion thanks to a steady growth rate of 3.92% every year.
9 epic Defence careers
STEM jobs in Defence offer an amazing variety of exciting opportunities for you to make a difference to the world Defence includes a huge range of jobs in the Australian Public Service, as well as in the Australian Defence Force, made up of Navy, Army and Air Force. You’ll get to work on really important projects and learn a lot of new things, plus build teamwork, leadership and problem-solving skills that will be useful in any job you do.
How to kickstart a maths career while you're still at school
Just follow these easy as Pi steps! To kickstart a maths career, simply… 1. Play games Sure, having an awesome high school maths teacher is great, but there are also loads of free and low-cost resources that can help take your maths skills to the next level. And yep, video games are up there with some of the most educational (and fun).
Captain Planet careers: maths + environment pathways
Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a difference? Then stick with maths at high school! Here’s why… From analysing satellite data to help us understand the impacts of climate change, to using data modelling to predict the spread of pollution in our waterways, there are plenty of opportunities to use maths and data skills to help protect our planet.
Australia’s top 10 most in-demand jobs + the maths they use
Want to be in demand? Stick with maths! In 2022 the Australian Government released its ‘skills priority list’, in which it highlights jobs that are ‘in demand’ – that is, the number of job vacancies is higher than the number of people available to take them. They’re not all STEM gigs, but the one thing that many of them do have in common is numbers. The upshot? Maths and data skills add up if you want an in-demand job.
How to build the perfect CV for an economics career
Want to craft a brilliant CV for an economics career? We’ve got you covered Include the following points to make yourself stand out in the crowd… Objective This is a summary that gives future employers your reason for applying for the job or your big-picture career goals. And there are so many reasons to pursue a career in economics! Whether you are passionate about the environment, social justice, or just love crunching numbers, there’s a pathway out there for you.
A day in the life of an analyst at the RBA
Jacob Harris once dreamed of becoming a doctor, until he discovered economics. After finishing school, Jacob enrolled in a Bachelor of Economics majoring in economics and physics at the University of Sydney. While he was studying, he found out about the graduate program offered by the RBA −a two-year program where economists straight out of university work across several departments, applying the knowledge learnt in the classroom in a real-world policy environment.
Maths myths busted!
Think you know what maths careers are all about? We’re here to set some facts straight Maths careers are sometimes thought of as being boring or only for people who are super smart. But that’s just not true! Maths can be used in heaps of different careers and industries, and it’s not all about being a mathlete. Here are five maths myths relating to careers that we’re here to bust: Myth #1: You have to be a maths genius to have a maths career.
Want to feel inspired about the future of tech? Listen to this speech
Sure, tech layoffs are in the news but they aren’t the whole story: Australia’s tech future is bright and we’ll need lots more tech-skilled workers to get there This week, the CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, Kate Pounder, spoke to a room full of journalists, politicians and business leaders about the future of the technology sector in post-pandemic Australia.
5 minutes with a climate scientist
Passionate about the environment? Want to use your STEM skills to do good? We sat down with a climate scientist to find out how you can do just that Climate scientist, Nandini Ramesh, uses cutting-edge maths and data techniques to inform her research. We asked her all about her STEM study and career path below. What’s your job in a nutshell? N: I study how physical processes in the ocean and atmosphere influence and impact Earth’s climate and the changes we should expect.
5 ways to launch your science career... today
Know a career in science is in your future? Then do these five things in the present You may have always known science is for you, or perhaps you were super inspired after flicking through the latest issue of Careers with STEM: Science. However you came to the decision, high school is the perfect time to launch your science career. Check out the five points below – they will help you plant the seeds that’ll blossom into an exciting future. 1.
Find your dream science job in our latest issue, out now!
Get ready to explore the exciting world of science with the latest edition of Careers with STEM magazine, available now. This 36-page print magazine is packed with information on all the exciting careers in science, and features real-life role models showcasing the possibilities in this field. Whether you’re interested in environmental conservation, technology, or curing diseases, there’s a career in science for you.
How to build your own nuclear science career
What’s your nuclear science + X? Combine this exciting field with another passion or interest to find your dream job! Do you love physics and chemistry and want an exciting, future-proof STEM career that can make a real difference? You should consider a career in nuclear science. While this branch of science is all about looking at the world on a very small scale – think: the scale of the atom – its potential applications are huge.
Bettina Berger | Science role model | University of Adelaide
According to Bettina working in science is never boring and there’s always a new challenge. Image: Ias Waite Bettina Berger’s love of nature sowed the seeds for a successful career in research and science leadership Watching grass grow is a famous way to describe something boring – but there’s nothing boring about the research going on at The Plant Accelerator, especially if you love plants as much as its scientific director, Bettina.
Capital city outdoor escapes: Hobart
Tassie is renowned as an adventure wonderland and that description extends to Hobart, the Apple Isle’s vibrant capital. With a range of escapes only a couple of hours out of the city – and some within its limits – Hobart has plenty of outdoor fun to keep you busy over a weekend or longer. Huon Valley Australia’s island state punches well above its weight when it comes to adventure.
Australia’s best family bike rides
Lake Burley Griffin, ACT Distance: 35km Grade: Easy Bike: Road/Hybrid When Walter Burley Griffin designed a lake at the heart of Canberra, he could easily have had cyclists in mind. Its shores are flat, its 35km circumference makes for a perfect few hours of pedalling, and almost every national public building of note sits huddled along its edges. The lake is entirely ringed by a shared-use path, which clings to the shores of the lake most of the way.
Computer scientist
Jon works at Data61 – the data and digital arm of Australia's national science agency, facilitating collaboration between researchers, industry and students. Jon Whittle, director of CSIRO’s Data61, says technology is changing how we do traditional science, and digital skills will be crucial Jon Whittle, the director of CSIRO’s Data61, is a world-renowned expert in software engineering and human-computer interaction.
How to launch your space career
Thomas Ireland - Software Engineer, Gilmour Space Technologies Wanna reach for the stars? Get inspired by these three awesome – and diverse – pathways to launch your space career. 1. Thomas Ireland – Software Engineer, Gilmour Space Technologies Growing up, Thomas Ireland was fascinated by how things worked. “I was always pulling toys apart,” he says. After high school he signed up for a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) at Griffith University, majoring in electrical and electronic engineering.
Classrooms 2.0: Digital tech is changing the way we teach and learn
At Deakin University in Melbourne, VR experts worked with the School of Nursing and Midwifery to develop a life-sized model of a pregnant woman that combines VR tech with expert nursing knowledge to replicate a birth.
Massive COVID-19 hackathon kicks off tonight!
More than 2000 participants will compete in the Flatten the Curve hackathon this weekend. Image: Shutterstock Talk about big plans for the Easter long weekend: More than 2000 tech heroes are about to kick off a record-breaking hackathon to help flatten the curve! Starting at 6pm AET today (Thursday, 9 April) the Australian Computing Society (ACS) will host a 48-hour Flatten the Curve hackathon.
Caring for our ageing population: what it means for employers
An increasing number of working-age adults – particularly women – are about to face the need to care for their elderly parents. Are employers prepared? It’s a familiar scenario. An employee announces the happy news that a baby is on the way. A meeting with HR is organised to set the right processes in motion. It’s all relatively straightforward with accepted norms, both culturally and institutionally – and has been for decades.
Deadly Science founder
Corey Tutt, 26, works as an animal technician at the University of Sydney and founded Indigenous outreach organisation Deadly Science When Corey Tutt was at high school in Dapto, south of Sydney, his favourite subjects were science, agriculture and history – but his true love was animals. Corey says when things weren’t going great at home, his fascination for animals provided an escape – and he dreamed of one day becoming a zoo keeper.
Urgent action needed to save the reef while we still can, scientists warn
THE IMPACTS OF LAST year's coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef surpassed not only all previous recorded bleaching events, but any single other disturbance suffered by the World Heritage-listed natural icon, including severe tropical cyclones. And in new research out today, scientists have concluded that this unprecedented bleaching – which effected 90 per cent of the reef – was tied to increased temperatures caused by global warming.
Scientists to search for Tassie tigers in Queensland
A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS is headed to Far North Queensland as early as next month to search for the long-lost Tasmanian tiger (Thylacine), based on what they say are detailed and plausible descriptions of sightings on the Cape York Peninsula. The field survey will be led by Dr Sandra Abell from James Cook University, who recently discovered a second population of the critically endangered northern bettong in the same region.
Rare photos of blacktip reef sharks 'beaching'
A RARE SPECTACLE has been photographed on Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland – up to 15 blacktip reef sharks beaching themselves to herd and capture their prey. Melbourne-based photographer Christian Pearson was visiting the island for an unrelated commercial project last month when he spotted the fascinating scene. Seagulls got in on the action, hoping for an opportunistic feed.
7 new species of peacock spider discovered
A SYDNEY SCIENTIST and photographer, Dr Jürgen Otto, has described seven new species of peacock spider from the southern coast of South Australia and Western Australia. Endemic to Australia, the tiny beauties (4-6mm) are renowned the world-over for their amazing courtship dances, as shown in the above video.
Light pollution is confusing baby sea turtles
WHEN A SEA turtle hatches on a beach, it’s important that it makes it to the sea as quickly as possible – the shore and shallow waters are notoriously fraught with risk, mainly from predation. However, researchers in Western Australia have found artificial lighting at sea is interfering with their ability to reach the relative safety of deeper waters as quickly as possible.
Welcome to croc country: telling fact from fiction
The swamps, rivers and estuaries across northern Australia are home to one of the biggest, fiercest – and perhaps most misunderstood – predators in the world. We wrestle the saltwater crocodile facts from the fiction, including how to stay safe in croc country. By Gemma Chilton • March 29, 2016 • Reading Time: 6 Minutes • Print this page A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.
Here are the animals REALLY most likely to kill you in Australia
By Gemma Chilton | March 22, 2016 Australia is renowned for its venomous snakes, scary spiders and even painful plants – but the animals that pose the biggest risk to our lives might surprise you. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2010, there were 254 reported and confirmed animal-related deaths in Australia, according to the latest report from an online database of coronial cases.
The ultimate guide to tents
Adequate shelter is listed as a basic human right by the United Nations, but tell that to any damp, shivering camper who has ever come to regret a bad tent purchase late at night in the middle of nowhere. By Gemma Chilton • January 15, 2015 • Reading Time: 5 Minutes • Print this page A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.
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