I have been thinking more about how high school students make their career decisions. At last Sunday's VCE and Careers Expo I watched my 16 year old daughter collect a small forest’s worth of brochures from various universities - full of detailed and enticing information but less helpful for those who aren’t yet certain of their direction. What else can we provide to help students make this significant decision?

The Bachelor of Environments uniquely crosses discipline boundaries – unusual in a university context but highly valued within today’s workforce. To help high school students in their decision-making, we are starting to develop learning packages to introduce multidisciplinary thinking within the built and natural environments. This week we introduced Melbourne Girls College students to research using monitoring equipment for acoustics, heat and air quality. Our hope is to work collaboratively with our students to communicate the range of careers arising from the Bachelor of Environments.

Associate Professor Clare Newton
Director, Bachelor of Environments

Are you taking ENVS10007 Urban Environments this semester?

On 21 May,  Academic Skills will be presenting a writing workshop for Urban Environments students. The lunchtime workshop is designed to assist in the preparation of the Urban Environments essay.

Date: Tuesday 21 May
Time: 1-2pm

Dates: 19 November - 10 December 2013
Application due date: Monday 20 May
Application form: Download application form (.docx)

Apply now for a study tour of Japan in November and December!

The Mitsui Educational Foundation will select one full-time, Australian citizen undergraduate student from the University of Melbourne for an all-expenses paid study tour of Japan from 19 November to 10 December 2013.

The study tour will include visits to places of historical and cultural significance in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima. Further information about the tour itinerary is available from the Mitsui Educational Foundation.

Dates: 22 and 29 May
Time: 6pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Ground Floor, 757 Swanston St

Come along to an Melbourne School of Design information session to find out about our graduate programs in design and the built environment. Each session will focus on a particular program as well as provide general information about studying at the MSD. You will have the chance to speak with academic staff as well as the Future Students team and have all your questions answered.

Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Each session runs for one hour and is followed by light snacks and refreshments until 8.30pm.

Do you have academic results with an average of 65% or more? If so, an overseas exchange placement may be for you.

All students contemplating an exchange should attend a myWorld First Step session which will give you the information necessary to plan and apply for your exchange.

Application Due Dates:
Exchange applications must be submitted to the Environments and Design Student Centre by Friday 5 July 2013 (or Friday 21 June 2013 for the University of California and University of Michigan).

Date: Thursday 30 May
Time: 9.00am - 5.00 pm
Venue: The Shell Building, Spring Street, Melbourne
Cost: $65. Concessions $40.

If architecture was more inclusive, would it also be in a stronger position?

Together with Parlour, the University of Melbourne invites you to participate in a day of discussion and debate about gender, agency and remaking the profession.

Come along to spend the day with some fantastic thinkers, researchers and architects, and add your voice to the discussion.

Date: Wednesday 22 May
Time: 11am - 1pm
Venue: Courtyard, Redmond Barry Building
Link: Facebook event

Come along to a friendly and informal morning tea event and meet the Melbourne University Planning Students Society committee over some light refreshments.

You can sign up on the day ($5) if not already a member. Your committee would love to meet you all and hear what sorts of events and services you would like from MUPSS. Final year BEnvs students are particularly encouraged to join the club and learn about the Master of Urban Planning.

Dates: 3 - 6 July 2013
Location: Newcastle NSW

The Australia and New Zealand Student Architecture Congress is the largest student gathering in the architecture calendar. It will be an opportunity to not only engage with the national and international architecture community, but also meet and get to know your fellow students from across Australia and New Zealand.

Speakers from the USA, Brazil, Canada, France, the Netherlands and Australia will come together to present their experiences and thoughts on city and place making, associated experimental architecture, interdisciplinary practice and grassroots urban renewal.

'The Disappearance of Architectures' HYP Cup 2013 International Student Competition in Architecture Design is now open for registration.

With Dominique Perrault chairing the jury, the first-place prize winner will be awarded approximately US $8,000. All prize winners will be invited to visit China and intern at China's top studios.