Future Focussed Careers Seminar 2025

This interactive seminar will delve into the forces driving change; exploring how humans and technology can work together to solve complex problems and build a better future. 
 
We’ll spotlight key growth areas such as space exploration, health innovation, sustainable agriculture, and green careers, guided by leading industry panellists who are actively shaping these fields. Attendees will also consider the skills needed to thrive—such as emotional intelligence, digital fluency, and creative problem-solving. 
 
Event Details  

Date: Wednesday 20 August  
Time: 6.30pm  
Location: Ian Woolf Auditorium, Carey Baptist Grammar School, Kew  
Light refreshments provided.  
 
We welcome all members of the Carey community including students, parents, staff, alumni and past families.   

About the panellists:  

Anna Keenan, Communications Manager - GO.FARM

Anna leads strategic communications to elevate the brand, strengthen investor engagement and share GO.FARM’s purpose to transform Australian agriculture.
Since joining in 2021—first as an intern and then as an Investment and Research Analyst—Anna has played a central role in evolving GO.FARM’s communications strategy. She has developed the business’s investor relations, marketing and sustainability functions to help position GO.FARM as a market-leading farmland operator and investment manager.

Sonya Rand, Head of Sustainability – Bunnings  
Sonya joined Bunnings as Head of Sustainability in January 2020. Specialising in stakeholder engagement, policy development and risk management, Sonya’s role sees her leading the growth of existing sustainability programs and finding new opportunities to drive positive long-term change across the business. Prior to this, Sonya held a range of senior positions in Australia and the UK managing environmental and social programs across retail, consumer goods and manufacturing industries. A chartered chemical engineer, Sonya has held multiple advisory roles to the Australian Government, addressing issues of human trafficking and modern slavery in supply chains. Sonya is the Vice Chair of Engineers Without Borders Australia and a Board Director of Trust for Nature 

Alistair Jones, Research Fellow, Swinburne University of Technology.

Alistair is a researcher/mechanical engineer working at Swinburne University’s Space Technology and Industry Institute. He has always loved problem solving and knowledge sharing, driving him to complete his PhD on the topic of Design and Additive Manufacturing of Cellular Structures in 2022.

Since joining Swinburne in 2023, he has worked on developing materials and manufacturing processes for the Australian space industry. Including developing repair strategies for defective rocket engine components, developing lightweight carbon-fibre composite panels for satellites and investigating coatings that could help mitigate lunar dust.

Carey’s Career’s Team:

Amanda Siva, Careers Practitioner

Amanda is a dedicated educator and accomplished careers practitioner with a wealth of experience in secondary education across Victoria, interstate, and internationally. She is a passionate champion of high-quality career education, committed to equipping students with the skills and confidence to successfully navigate their academic and professional journeys. With a forward-thinking approach, Amanda actively engages with the tertiary sector and industry partners to stay ahead of emerging occupational trends in Australia and globally. Her work is driven by a deep belief in empowering young people to thrive in an ever-evolving world of work.

Sophie Bryant, Careers Practitioner

Sophie Bryant is a passionate communicator and educator who brings a wealth of experience across diverse educational roles, all grounded in conversation, connection, and a love of learning. Whether working as a secondary teacher, an Education and Community Engagement Officer in The Royal Parks in London, or a Careers Adviser at the University of Melbourne, Sophie is known for her ability to build rapport and listen deeply—skills that are essential in meaningful and effective career conversations.

In her current role, Sophie draws on students’ ideas and interests to empower them in their career development. She helps them articulate and expand their thinking, reframing the uncertainty that often accompanies future planning into a sense of excitement and possibility. By encouraging exploration of emerging industries and diverse pathways, she supports students in discovering opportunities that align with their strengths, values, and aspirations.

Trevor Black, Career Practitioner and Mathematics Teacher

Trevor has taught mathematics for over 40 years and has taught at Carey for the last 25 years.  He became a qualified career practitioner in 2014 and currently is working in that role at Carey where he has worked with students to help them find their pathways for the last 12 years.  He is currently the President of the Australian Centre for Career Education and a council member of the Career Industry Council of Australia.