Cater Your Career
Description
Overview
Drowning in Week 10 lectures, lab reports and assignments? (Asking for a friend...)
Sometimes, it's easy to feel like everyone else has their life mapped out but, in reality, the most interesting STEM journeys are rarely linear – they're full of unexpected opportunities, competing priorities and learning what work you find valuable.
The Physics Students' Society (PSS) invites you to Cater Your Career: a sit-down, zero-pressure session designed to help you decompress, feed your brain, and figure out what you actually value in a career.
Over a FREE catered lunch (starters, mains, dessert & coffee), you’ll sit down for informal table chats with guests across academia and tech. Whether you're weighing research against industry, thinking about life after uni, or just need a free catered meal to get you through Week 10—pull up a seat.
What's On
Free Catered Lunch: Fuel your end-of-semester study grind with complimentary starter and main course followed by coffee, tea, and desserts.
Mentorship & Guest Insights: Chat informally with academic and industry guests and learn about their current work, career journey, and what they wish they knew in undergrad.
Learn Where You Land: Do you prefer theoretical research or real-world tech? Where do you draw the line between job stability and absolute creative freedom? Map out your priorities with your table group, compare your profile against fellow students, and see where you actually land on the spectrum.
Dessert & Open Q&A: Grab some coffee and a sweet treat, drift between tables, ask questions about research or industry life, and connect with fellow students before heading off to your afternoon lectures.
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Proudly supported by the Student Services and Amenities Fee Grant at The University of Melbourne.
Please Note
Spots and food are strictly limited—please only register if you're confident you can make it so no catered meal goes to waste!
Lineup
Dr. Muneera Bano – Principal Research Scientist & Science Team Lead, CSIRO Data61
Dr. Muneera Bano is a Principal Research Scientist and Science Team Lead at CSIRO, working at the intersection of software engineering, responsible artificial intelligence and human-centred technology. Her research focuses on how AI and emerging technologies can be designed, developed and governed to better serve diverse people and communities. As a member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of Science & Technology Australia and Superstar of STEM, Dr. Muneera Bano is a passionate advocate for women in STEM and a leading voice for equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM across Australia.
Dr. Josh Combes – Senior Lecturer & MSc (Physics) Coordinator, School of Physics
Dr. Josh Combes is a Senior Lecturer in Quantum Computing at The University of Melbourne with over two decades of quantum research experience. Bridging cutting-edge academia and commercial deep tech, his career spans leading roles at CU Boulder and the Perimeter Institute alongside hands-on industry research developing hardware algorithms in the Bay Area.
FAQs
- Who is this event for?
This session is open to all University of Melbourne students, especially those studying physics or mathematical physics. We warmly welcome students from underrepresented backgrounds and diverse perspectives to join the conversation. Whether you're weighing research against industry, curious about career pathways, or just need a free catered lunch after surviving through Week 10—pull up a seat!
- What food will be provided, and can you accommodate dietary requirements?
We’ll be serving a full catered meal, including starters, mains, dessert, as well as coffee and tea. Please indicate any dietary requirements or allergies (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, nut-free) in the registration form when securing your ticket so we can ensure you are catered for.
- What if I can no longer attend?
Since places and catering quantities are limited, please cancel your ticket via Humanitix as early as possible if your plans change. This allows us to offer your seat and meal to another student on the waitlist.
- What is the dress code or format? Do I need to prepare anything?
No preparation or formal attire required! This is a zero-pressure, informal session – come as you are, pull up a seat, and enjoy the conversation.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
Register
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