Beyond Brunswick
Work Experience and Learning Pathways
Beyond Brunswick
Work Experience and Learning Pathways
Sarah Fishlock
Education Support
Several students have enjoyed some fantastic work experience opportunities this year.
Pursuing work experience opportunities provides our young people with a meaningful way to learn beyond the classroom, helping them discover their strengths, passions, and future possibilities. Whether through part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or job shadowing, exploring a variety of opportunities gives students a chance to grow, connect with others, and build confidence in real-world settings. These experiences not only shape their career goals but also teach important life skills like teamwork, responsibility, and adaptability—all of which prepare them for whatever path they choose next!
Ruby Lygon-Moffat
Year 10
Ruby was also very organised and managed to attend two different work experience locations. Whilst they were both in customer service, she branched out to try two different industries: at Pet Store & More Airport West and at local café, Sweet Evelyn in Brunswick.
By diversifying her work experience, she was able to get a feel for the different ways that our working lives can help people: by serving them food and by helping them to care for their animals.
Ruby also learned about some of the sad realities of working with live animals, which gave her a new perspective on the job - one that can only be gained by doing work experience. Ruby was not put off however, and will be studying Animal Studies in VET next year. Great job Ruby!
I did a lot of different jobs at the café, including taking orders, serving food, clearing and cleaning tables and unpacking boxes when orders came in. At the pet shop I had to feed the animals (fish, turtles, axolotls and birds) . I hate saying this, but I had to take away the dead fish in the morning and it was sad.
Alex Nikolarakos
Year 10
Alex completed three different work experience locations, as well as a visit to his previous school for a workshop focusing on VET programs and the Zoo Expo. What a busy young human! He completed his work experience at Kevin Heinze Grow (Coburg), Collingwood Children's Farm (Collingwood) and Farm Raiser Community Garden (Bellfield).
You might notice a theme at play here… Alex is very interested in gardening and, with some help from his family, was able to trial this interest in a number of places. We can all take a page out of Alex’s book in being organised, curious and focused on doing the things he likes.
At Kevin Heinze Grow I did planting, I did the soil and helped grow the plants. At the farm I did a lot of cleaning and looking after animals. I cleaned their mess and also fed them.
At the other farm I did seeds. I learned about seeds in Victoria and what plants they turn into. I also pulled out weeds.
Also I did the Zoo Expo - listening to all different people talking about animals in the wild. They also talked about rubbish and how it's bad for animals and talked about how they looked after the animals. Then I went to Croxton School to learn about all the different jobs I can do. I know many nice people there from when I used to go there.
In my life my dad is going to help me get a job at Australian Open. I'm too old to be a ball kid, but my sister did that. I'm going to work in the shop and ask people questions and do surveys. And that's everything!