Cooking up a unique teaching career

The best part about my teaching placements was that I was able to gain a sense of how it feels to teach, from preparing classes to communicating with parents.

Shar Miclat
Master of Teaching (Secondary)

Studying at Victoria University (VU) gave Shar Miclat the skills and confidence to kickstart an in-demand career combining two passions – food technology and teaching.

“I’m from the Phillipines and I studied a Master of Teaching (Secondary) at VU.

“I previously worked as a flight attendant in the Middle East, and one of my friends told me how good it is to study here in Australia, so here I am!

“When I arrived here, I lived with some locals who studied teaching at VU. I could see how much they enjoyed it and all the opportunities that came with their jobs, so they inspired me to pursue this career."

Finding support & connection

“I definitely recommend VU. It’s my rock here in Australia. The people I met here are my family. VU is very inclusive, and right from our orientation I met people from all different backgrounds and courses.

“VU also has so many support services. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and the VU Learning Hub helped me out with improving my writing, referencing and academic skills.”

Real teaching experience

“I did two teaching placements throughout my degree. The best part about it was that I was able to gain a sense of how it feels to teach, from preparing classes to communicating with parents.

Within a month of starting at VU, I found a job as an education support officer where I worked with students with additional needs, and I found it very, very rewarding.

Cooking up her own career path

“I also did a commercial cookery course during COVID-19 lockdown. That enabled me to get a job in the food technology industry for teaching, which is very in-demand.

“I recently got a new job in an independent school where I will be teaching food technology and humanities. Just like when I first arrived here in Australia, it was a little difficult in the beginning, but if you give yourself a chance you will be surprised by how well you can do.”