Careers Corner
Pakenham Secondary College
Understanding your options after leaving secondary school
If you aren’t sure what’s next after walking out of the school gates, it’s important to know you have options.
It can be challenging deciding what to do next after school finishes. You’ve been in school for 10+ years and now it’s time to take a step into the next stage of your life. If you are confused about what to do next, you’re not alone - this is a common feeling for lots of people. To help you navigate your next steps, Headspace have compiled a list of options for you to consider.
Digital Careers
Digital careers can be found in every industry and they’re not just for coders and technical experts. Whether you’re a problem solver, a creative or a people person, there’s a role with your name on it. Discover today’s digital careers and the flexible learning paths to get there.
Find your perfect match
Take the 3-minute quiz and you’ll be matched to a digital career that fits your personality. Plus, you’ll see a choice of pathways to get there – from short courses to full qualifications.
Investigate the options
From cybersecurity to telecommunications, the career guide covers different career paths, job roles, salaries, required skills, day-to-day activities and training options.
Let's bust a myth: digital careers aren't just “IT jobs.”
They’re so much more. Digital marketing, data analysts, social media managers, game developers, AI strategists, cybersecurity specialists. Digital careers are booming across every industry, from healthcare and finance to entertainment and education. And the best part? They need people like you.
Forget the idea that digital careers are only for maths and science people
Visual thinker? Try digital design or game development. Love puzzles? Data analytics and cybersecurity offer endless challenges. Your strengths already point toward a digital future. You just might not know it yet.
There's no single right way in
You can earn while you learn through a traineeship, stack up microcredentials around your current schedule, or choose from VET qualifications, industry certifications and degrees. Whatever your timeframe, budget or learning style, there’s a pathway that fits your life.
5 tips to get a Christmas casual job
Many retail stores are currently taking applications for Christmas casuals, so if you’re in the market for a bit of work over the holiday season, it’s go time for applications.
Christmas is just under two months away, and what’s the first thing everyone thinks of when they hear Christmas? Busy shopping centres. And what do busy shopping centres mean? Demand for Christmas casual employees!
Have your resume ready
Have your resume ready to go. You’ll be applying online and in person so have a couple of printed copies on hand. Don’t wait until your favourite stores starts advertising before you update your resume because it might take longer than you realise and you could miss your chance.
Keep an eye out for advertisements
Most large retailers recruit through their websites, but it’s still worthwhile keeping an eye out for advertisements in shop windows. Check online job boards and ask your family and friends to let you know if they hear about jobs becoming available, as they might even be able to put in a good word for you.
Don’t be picky with hours
The reality of being a Christmas casual is that you will be working while everyone else is enjoying a break. The upside is that you can earn ‘penalty rates’ which means you are paid a higher hourly rate than usual.
Be ready to learn quickly
Christmas casuals are brought in to cover a busy period so you need to pick up the role quickly if you want to keep getting shifts. That doesn’t mean you should take shortcuts, but the faster you learn, the better.
Don’t limit yourself
Just because you’ve never worked in retail before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply for a position, and the same rule applies to other common Christmas casual jobs. Don’t narrow your options out of fear of trying something new.
Explore careers in Hospitality
For many young people, a job in hospitality is a rite of passage. It's your first pay cheque, your entry into the working world, your chance to enter the "staff only" door of your local café and figure out how it all works.
But the hospitality industry is so much more than a few weekend shifts. Chefs, sommeliers, venue managers and event directors are all part of this thriving industry, where creativity and problem solving skills go hand-in hand.
The Anyway Careers in Hospitality learning module guides you through a vast array of hospo careers, the different pathways to get there, and the trends and technology shaping the hospitality industry of tomorrow.
Complete all five modules, and you’ll go in the running to win a $500 Red Balloon voucher!
Monash University Campus Tours and Events
Find out all that Monash University has to offer, whether you are seeking general insights, tailored course advice, a campus experience, or the chance to connect with students and staff - click here to find out all of the events available and to book.
If you are particularly interested in their Holiday Campus Tours, please click here.
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.
Information reproduced with permission from Career Tools.