STEM Programs at Western
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Western Sydney University Urban Planning
If you visited the Western Sydney University Urban Planning booth, you would have learned about the career of Urban Planning, which involves guiding and managing the development of cities and towns, considering things like land use, infrastructure and community needs.
Sydney Water
Did you visit the Sydney Water booth? You would have learned about the many ways that a STEM career can save lives and protect our planet. Sydney Water employs a diverse range of STEM professionals including Data Scientists, Engineers, Construction Managers, Cyber Security professionals and Environmental Scientists.
AIE
Academy of Interactive Entertainment were at Girls' Tech Day showcasing some of their student-made games, created using industry software.
Interactive entertainment is a fast‑growing career area that’s not just about video games anymore. It’s also used in education, marketing, and social media. People in this field use technology to create fun, immersive experiences where users can interact instead of just watching. Jobs include interactive storytellers, developers, and digital media specialists
Robogals
Did wiring a mini robot, or connecting LEDs lead you to sparking your passion in the world of robotics? This workshop was led by Robogals, who aim to inspire, engage and empower young women into engineering and related fields. They also run engineering and technology workshops in local communities - free of charge!
STEM Careers In Demand
Do you know which STEM careers are in the highest demand by employers and industries in Australia right now? Explore these careers, how much they pay, and how many women are currently working in those jobs.
For even more accurate and up-to-date stats on all sorts of careers, make sure to check out the Australian Government's 'Jobs and Skills' website.
STEM Occupations that are most in demand
Biomedical engineers use science and technology to solve problems related to health and medicine. They combine ideas from physics, engineering, math, computers, chemistry, and materials science to design solutions that help treat and prevent diseases.
If you want to become a BIomedical Engineer, you can study something like a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), with a Minor in Biomedical Engineering.
Average Salary: $2,502 per week
Future Demand: Strong
Female Share: 21%
Construction Project Managers are the people who make sure big building projects—like bridges, schools, or office blocks—get done properly. They read and understand architectural plans, organise workers and equipment, and keep track of materials coming to the site. They also talk with architects, engineers, and tradespeople to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Day to day, they’re responsible for making sure the project stays on schedule and within budget. They handle contracts, check that safety and building rules are followed, and arrange inspections to prove the work meets standards. In short, they’re the ones who keep everything running smoothly so the project is finished safely, on time, and to a high quality.
If you want to become an Construction Project Manager, you can study something like a Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours).
Average Salary: $3,691 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 14%
Civil engineers are the people who design and plan big projects like roads, bridges, buildings, dams, and even wharves. They check if a site is suitable for construction, then use computer programs to create and share their designs. Sometimes, they also supervise the building process to make sure everything is done correctly.
Most of their work happens in an office, but that office might be right at a construction site. This career is great for someone who enjoys building and problem‑solving, and who’s good at thinking critically, staying organised, and communicating with others. Being comfortable with technology, maths, and design is also really important.
If you want to become a Civil Engineer, you can study something like a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), and choose Civil Engineering as your Major.
Average Salary: $2,264 per week
Future Demand: Strong
Female Share: 15%
Health information managers organize and run systems that keep track of patient records and medical data. They make sure this information is stored and used correctly to meet medical, legal, and ethical rules. Their work helps hospitals and clinics deliver safe and effective health care.
If you want to become a Health Information Manager, you can study something like a Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology, with a Major in Health Informatics
Average Salary: $1,995 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 80%
ICT Security Specialists are like the “digital bodyguards” of a company. They set up rules and systems to keep the organisation’s computers and data safe. Their job is to stop hackers or other threats from getting in, and to make sure there are backup plans if something goes wrong.
If you want to become an ICT Security Specialist, you can study something like a Bachelor of Cyber Security and Behaviour.
Average Salary: $2,284 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 16%
Mathematicians use math to solve tricky problems in science, engineering, technology, business, and even social studies. Their work helps create new ideas, improve systems, and find solutions that others might miss. Most of the time, they work in offices, often using computers to test and explore their ideas.
This career is great for people who enjoy challenging math, thinking creatively, and solving puzzles. Mathematicians need to be able to concentrate on tough problems for a long time, notice small details while keeping the big picture in mind, and work well both on their own and with a team.
If you want to become a Mathematician, you can study something like a Bachelor of Mathematics. You can choose to Major in Computational Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Data Science, or even Secondary Teaching so you can go on to become a high school Mathematics teacher (with further study).
Average Salary: $2,213 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 23%
Medical laboratory scientists are the people who test blood, tissues, and other samples from patients to help doctors prevent and treat diseases. They usually work in labs, using special equipment to run experiments. This job is great for people who pay close attention to details, can explain technical information clearly, and enjoy working with others. It’s also important to be able to understand test results and spot patterns in data.
If you want to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist, you can study something like a Bachelor of Medical Science
Average Salary: $2,004 per week
Future Demand: Strong
Female Share: 65%
Nutritionists use science to understand food and health. They share this knowledge with people and apply it in real life to show how eating the right foods can improve health and well‑being for communities
If you want to become a Nutritionist, you can study something like a Bachelor of Medical Science, with a Major in Human Nutrition.
Average Salary: $2,090 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 88%
Statisticians are experts at working with numbers and data. They design studies, collect information, and then use math to figure out what the data means. Their reports help governments, businesses, and other organisations make smart decisions about the future.
Most statisticians work in offices, often for big companies or government departments. This job is perfect for people who enjoy maths, spotting patterns, and paying close attention to details. Being good at problem‑solving, critical thinking, and showing data in clear visuals is also really important.
If you want to become a Statistician, you can study a Bachelor of Data Science.
Average Salary: $2,213 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 54%
Urban and regional planners are the people who help decide how towns and cities grow. They look at things like the economy, the environment, and how communities are affected when new land is developed. Their job is to give advice and make plans so governments and organisations know the best way to use land and prepare for the future.
Most of the time they work in government offices, but they also visit sites and sometimes travel. This career suits someone who enjoys geography, cares about communities, and is interested in how governments make decisions. Being good at problem‑solving, analysing information, and listening to others is really important too.
If you want to become an Urban or Regional Planner, you can study something like a Bachelor of Planning (Pathway to Master of Urban Management and Planning).
Average Salary: $2,036 per week
Future Demand: Strong
Female Share: 46%
Web developers are the people who make websites work. They design, build, and look after sites using coding languages (like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), apps, and databases. They make sure websites do what users need them to do. Web developers often team up with other tech experts—like business analysts, web designers, and specialists who make sure sites are easy to use and run smoothly on networks
If you want to become a Health Information Manager, you can study something like a Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology. You may also find that some study in areas such as Marketing, Business, or Graphic Design can help you develop complimentary skills.
Average Salary: $2,252 per week
Future Demand: Very Strong
Female Share: 20%
Spotlight On Our Students
Some of Western Sydney University's amazing STEM students and alumni have written mesages to the Girls' Tech Day attendees, highlighting their own journeys towards careers in STEM. Read their messages below.
Mirna Khoshaba
My name is Mirna Khoshaba and I recently completed my Bachelor of Medical Science. Every step of this journey carries the story of where I came from. Growing up in the city in Iraq shaped me in ways I will never forget. The culture, the strength of the women around me, and the dreams we held quietly in our hearts still guide me today. Moving to Australia in 2022, learning a new language, and studying in a completely different world was not easy, but it made me realise how powerful determination can be. Finishing my degree as a young woman who started with many obstacles still feels surreal, and it reminds me that our beginnings never define how far we can go.
Next year, I will be starting my Master of Business Administration because I have learned that science and leadership can walk together. My inspiration has always come from the women in my life, my mother, my aunt, and the strong women from my community who taught me to fight for my future even when everything felt impossible. I want young girls, especially those from migrant or disadvantaged backgrounds, to see someone like me and know they belong in STEM. They belong in leadership. They belong in every room they dream of entering. If my story can show even one girl that her background is her strength, then every challenge has been worth it.
Grace Patterson
My name is Grace Patterson, and I am studying a Bachelor of Information Systems (Advanced) and Law at Western Sydney University. Being a woman in STEM wasn’t something I planned for. At first, it felt intimidating, uncertain, and simply outside the paths I’ve seen my friends follow. But during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when online business platforms shifted from a luxury to
a lifeline, everything changed for me. I watched my family and friends' small businesses move online almost overnight, suddenly part of a global digital ecosystem full of opportunity but also increasingly vulnerable due to the lack of cyber legislation. In that moment, integrating STEM into my legal studies stopped being a possibility and became a purpose. With WSU’s industry-connected teaching and world-ranked STEM programs, I’ve been able to merge my passion for
technology and law into a unified pathway, one that has shown me just how many disciplines my skills can reach across, and how there is a vast, creativeecosystem where law and technology innovation thrive.
Since beginning my studies, I’ve learned that women are no longer the “underdogs” of the STEM world - we are shaping it. We bring creativity, empathy and innovation to fields that desperately need diverse perspectives. STEM is NOT a single doorway; it’s hundreds of thousands of pathways, and you can enter it from almost anywhere - even through a combined degree like mine. Technology will continue to evolve at an exponential rate, and those who understand it and dare to help redefine it will be the leaders of tomorrow. If you’re even a little curious about a degree in STEM, take that step, because, just like me, you might be surprised at how much space there is for your voice.
Genevieve Bryant
I studied a Bachelor of
Design & Technology at Western — basically the high-school Design &
Tech subject but bigger! More tools, cooler projects, just as many hot-glue-gun
burns, and working models. I’ve designed everything from furniture and appliances
to medical equipment, apps, toys, and yes… even a room on a spaceship (sadly,no astronauts were consulted).
I chose this degree because I’ve always loved making things. If there’s a creative hobby out there, I’ve tried it — sewing, painting, woodwork, crafting, gluing my fingers together… the whole lot. But I also really love helping people, and design turned out to be the perfect way to combine the two. Most of my design work has focused on improving life for people with low vision, blindness, or mobility challenges.
There’s a massive myth that creative fields don’t involve “real” smarts, or that the “Technology” in STEM is just code and computers. But designers like me work side-by-side with engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and researchers to bring ideas — even something as simple as a fork — into the real world. So, if you’re passionate about creativity and making life better for others, then a STEM career might be exactly what you’re looking for.
HSC True Reward Early Offer Program
HSC True Reward is Western’s early offer program for domestic and international NSW HSC students finishing their NSW HSC in 2025. The program offers you a place at Western before you receive your ATAR. This unique program recognises that you are much more than your ATAR and focuses on the scores that reflect your strong points and areas of interest.
Learn more about the HSC True Reward Early Offer Program