Careers Corner
Pakenham Secondary College
Year 10 Work Experience next week
From Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July, our Year 10 students will be out in the community, taking part in Work Experience. This exciting week is a valuable chance for students to step outside the classroom and gain first-hand insight into working life. It’s a great opportunity to explore different industries, build new skills and start thinking about future career pathways.
We wish all of our Year 10s the very best for the week ahead - make the most of it and enjoy the experience!
2026 Course Counselling
On Wednesday 25th June, we welcomed families to our Parent Information Night for 2026 Year 10 and 11 Course Counselling. The evening provided valuable information about the transition from Year 9 into Year 10 and Year 10 into Year 11, helping students and parents understand the subject selection process and key considerations for next year.
Families also had the opportunity to explore key learning area displays and speak directly with staff about subject offerings and pathways. A special thank you to Gurleen Kaur and Finley Clayton for sharing their personal pathway experiences, your insights were greatly appreciated.
To view the presentations from the evening, please click the links below:
Course Handbooks are available on our website here.
Upcoming Course Counselling interviews
Year 10 2025 Students: Course counselling interviews for our current Year 10 students (moving into Year 11 in 2026) will be held on Tuesday 22nd July, from 8:00am to 5:30pm in B12. There will be no Year 10 classes scheduled on this day and students are not required at school except to attend their scheduled appointment. Interview times are now available on Compass and parents/carers are strongly encouraged to attend.
If a student is unable to attend their scheduled interview (for example, due to the Rubicon Leadership Camp), they must contact their allocated interviewer to reschedule as soon as possible.
Year 9 2025 Students: Course counselling interviews for our current Year 9 students (moving into Year 10 in 2026) will take place on Monday, 28th July, from 8:00am to 5:30pm in B12. As with Year 10, there will be no scheduled classes for Year 9 students on that day, and they are only required to attend their booked interview. Interview times are now available on Compass and parents/carers are strongly encouraged to attend.
If a student is unable to attend their interview, they must contact their interviewer to reschedule as soon as possible.
Subject Selection
1.Choose What Works or You
Pick subjects that reflect your strengths and interests to make the experience your own. When you enjoy what you're learning, you're more likely to stay motivated and succeed.
2. Get Informed
Talk to teachers who teach the subject, ask students already studying it. The more informed you are, the better your choices will be.
3. Ask around!
Seek advice from teachers, sub school leaders and our Careers and Pathways Coordinator, Ms McKay. They can help you see how your choices connect to your goals, future study or job opportunities.
4. Keep Your Options Open
If you're unsure about your future, that’s okay! Choose a mix of subjects to keep your options open after Year 12. Having a broad skill set gives you more freedom to change direction later on.
5. Connect Subjects to Your Goals
If your ideal subject isn’t available, choose ones that help build related skills and support your ambitions. Think creatively about how different subjects can contribute to your future path.
6. Balance Your Workload
Pick subjects that interest and challenge you without overwhelming your schedule. A manageable mix helps you do well and avoid burnout. For example, three folio-based subjects might be too much work to manage well.
7. Consider Your Pathway
Are you aiming for an ATAR-based university course? A hands-on career or trade? Choose subjects that align with your post-school plans, whether academic, vocational, or both. There’s more than one way to reach your goals.
8. Remember the Big Picture
School is about personal growth, not just grades. Choose subjects that give you space to grow as a person and enjoy the full experience of school life.
Discover Pop Culture: School Holidays Workshop at Monash University
Be immersed in exploring society's big ideas - from media trends to pop culture - alongside Monash Uni's world-renowned academics and students who are honing the skills needed to make a positive impact worldwide. Have the chance to participate in transformational experiences:
11-12pm: Discover how pop culture language forms part of a cultural identity and how it unites people who consume the same media and participate in the same cultural phenomena, creating a sense of belonging and shared experiences.
12:15 - 1pm: Learn how their in-demand courses - Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Media Communications - prepares you for the future.
1 - 1:30pm: Take a tour of Monash Uni's industry-standard facility, the Monash Media Lab.
1:45 - 2:15pm: Caulfield campus tour with Q&A.
Date: Thursday, 16th July 2025
Venue: Building B, Level 5, Rooms B526 and B526A, Monash Media Lab, 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East, VIC 3145.
Lunch is included.
Click on the button below to register for the event - for Year 11 and 12 students.
A Day at Melbourne University
Students at our school are invited to take part in A Day at Melbourne, a fantastic opportunity to experience university life and explore future study options in an engaging, interactive setting. With places expected to fill quickly, early registration is strongly encouraged.
Held at the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus, the event is open to:
Year 11 and 12 students on Wednesday 9 July 2025
Year 9 and 10 students on Friday 11 July 2025Both days run from 9:00am to 2:30pm.
Throughout the day, students will:
Participate in two hands-on workshops
Hear from current students about choosing a degree and life at Melbourne
Chat one-on-one with university staff about courses, scholarships, Access Melbourne, student societies and more
Take part in guided tours of residential colleges or university-owned accommodation (Year 11 and 12 only)
Parents are also welcome to attend but will need to register due to space limitations.
Special Note: Year 11 and 12 students who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are invited to attend a lunch hosted by Murrup Barak, the University’s Indigenous student centre. More information will be available at check-in on the day.
To view full event details and register, please visit the University of Melbourne’s website.
Explore your future: Attend a University or TAFE Open Day
As students begin thinking about life after high school, one of the most valuable experiences they can take advantage of is attending a University or TAFE Open Day. These events offer students and their families an inside look at campus life, course options and possible career pathways.
Open Days run between July and September and typically include campus tours, information sessions, interactive workshops and opportunities to speak directly with lecturers, support staff and current students.
Whether you're considering a university degree or a vocational qualification through TAFE, Open Days provide a great way to compare study options, explore different fields, understand entry requirements, learn about scholarships, student services and more.
Students in Years 10 to 12 are particularly encouraged to attend, as the experience can help guide subject selections and future study decisions. Families are also welcome and are encouraged to attend alongside students, helping to start meaningful conversations about what's next after school.
To make the most of an Open Day:
Visit the institution’s website in advance
Check the schedule and register for sessions
Prepare a list of questions to ask on the day
Click the button below for a list of upcoming Open Days and start planning your visit!
National Skills Week 2025: Explore ALL the Options
Celebrate the power of skills and Vocational Education & Training (VET) during National Skills Week, running from the 25th to the 31st August. Backed by the Australian Government and key industry partners, this nationwide event is all about opening doors—helping students discover career pathways and shape their futures.
“National Skills Week highlights the exciting, diverse pathways VET offers to build Australia’s future workforce.”— Brian Wexham, Chairman
What’s On
Get inspired with a packed program of workshops, seminars, launch events, hands-on experiences, resources and real-life success stories.
This Year’s Theme: “Explore All the Options”
In 2025, the spotlight is on choice. Explore All the Options invites you to think outside the box, go beyond traditional routes and find the career path that’s right for you.
What’s On
Enjoy industry workshops, seminars, launch events, resources, success stories, interactive experiences and a whole lot of inspiration.
Explore All the Options
This year’s theme “Explore all the Options” encourages individuals to look beyond traditional paths and find the career that fits them best.
RMIT Tech and Trades Experience Day during the July School Holidays
Curious about a future in tech, trades, or IT? RMIT is opening its doors for a next-level hands-on experience these school holidays!
When: Thursday 10 July 2025
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Where: RMIT - Melbourne City
Students in Years 10, 11 and 12, as well as parents and guardians, are invited to step into the shoes of an RMIT student and explore what studying a trade, tech, or IT course is really like.
What to Expect:
Participate in two interactive workshops in fields like Carpentry, Cyber Security, Building Design, Plumbing, Engineering, IT, and more.
Tour the facilities, meet current students and staff, and explore real learning environments.
Win great prizes and take home valuable insights about future study and career options.
Parents can attend info sessions, meet industry guests, and find out more about the opportunities available at RMIT.
This free event is a fantastic way to explore high-demand careers with strong growth and exciting futures. Spots are limited, so register early!
PSC Careers Website
We have a fantastic resource available for students. The PSC Careers Website provides you with all of the latest information that will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school.
You can visit this site to find out about university or TAFE courses and any other type of course available across Australia. The site also has information about VCE, you can search for job vacancies and much more.
In addition to this, please do feel free to drop into the Careers Office if you have any questions.