Year 10 Work Experience
As semester one came to a satisfying end, one thing that followed Uni High’s year 10 students after their rigorous exams was the Work Experience Program. This program is designed to help students build confidence, understand work dynamics and develop essential skills that will benefit them in their future careers.
During my year 10 work experience, I had the opportunity to return to my old primary school. It was both nostalgic and eye opening to step back into a place that had been a significant part of my early education. I spent the week assisting teachers, supporting classroom activities and helping students, specifically in the Art and Music department. I also got the chance to see what it was like in the student free areas of the school such as the staff room as well as the updated facilities, catching up with teachers and being able to unwind after classes. On the last day of working there, the usual assembly commenced with a short announcement from the principal along with a music performance from the senior students. I said goodbye to the teachers and students, leaving the school with a gained appreciation for the hard work that goes into managing a classroom and it gave me a deeper understanding of how a primary school operates. I developed and improved on my organization, communication, patience and collaboration skills. While this did not manage to spark my interest as a potential career path, overall, the week was a good start to the workforce and made me consider how I might contribute to learning environments in the future.
Wern Lee - Year 10
The week I spent in Work Experience was nothing more and nothing short of what I had previously anticipated. Initially, I wanted to pursue a career as a plastic surgeon. However, a term full of Year 10 Science had told me enough about my talent (more so the lack thereof) in science, and all I wanted to do was to explore an industry that involves less science and stress than medicine. After failing to land a placement in a local primary school, I laid my eyes onto the globally renowned chain education centre: Kumon.
Applying for work experience at Kumon had left me wide-eyed. Not only did the work experience supervisor reply within 24 hours (whereas the other supervisors took at least 10 times as long) or refused to see my resume, the centre was much less spacious than I had envisioned. The singular classroom where all classes are held housed no more than 30 children at once. Each book, stationery, folders, bag and even recycled plastic bag had designated spots, in which they would be neatly tucked into after being used. As stupid as it sounds, prior to work experience, it had never occurred to me how systematic an education centre needs to be. Every worksheet had its corresponding correction booklet, and each sheet of classwork and homework had its corresponding box to be ticked when the work was completed, graded and recorded. I had never been the type of person to be naturally drawn to children, but Kumon had shown me the pleasure in working alongside all kinds of children. From the younger ones who stares absentmindedly with an open mouth at you, to the older ones who are almost my age but can grapple concepts beyond my capabilities, it was eye-opening to complete work experience at Kumon. At the end of the week, I was even offered an employment opportunity.
Ultimately, I may have missed out on watching blood-chilling surgical procedures being carried out, or seeing major medical breakthroughs in real time, nothing could replace the times I spent learning about teaching, teamwork between co-workers and organisation.
Judy Zhu - Year 10