Careers Corner
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One of the highlights of my role is making a call to the Dux of VCE on ATAR day. It was a privilege to call Jasmine on Monday as I have been in her classrooms since year 7 as learning support staff. She is one of our students who has been at Bayside Christian College since prep. She has always been hard working, generous, and humble. Even when I called to let her know she was the Dux for Class of 2023, she was surprised to have received my call. Not only is she Dux, but she also achieved a study score of 50 for Psychology! For anyone unfamiliar with year 12/ATAR terms, this is a PERFECT SORE! This is an extremely prestigious achievement.
Items in this newsletter include: Interview Tips, Volunteer Work, 2024 Year 10 Work Experience Preparation, 2024 Year 10 Work Experience opportunity, 2024 VCE Subject Changes or VCE/VM Certificate Change, 2024 Year 12 VCE Students - Extension Opportunities, 2024 VET Enrolments.
Interview Tips
In Term 4, I had the privilege of working with the year 9 HUBS class with Mock Interviews. I have shared some of the general feedback that was provided to the students that may be helpful if students are applying for part time/casual work over the holidays.
General Interview Feedback:
- Always take a printed copy of your resume - even if you know they have one.
- You can take a copy for yourself also, so that you can remind yourself of your accomplishments and eliminate the “umms”.
- Don't be afraid to talk about your interests and things you are passionate about when asked. This question is asked to determine your "fit" within the workplace. There is no right or wrong answer to this question... so just be yourself!
- *Try* and relax as much as possible. Interact with the interviewer/s as much as possible. Focus on why you want the job and what you can contribute to the company. This should help you to have the right attitude and enthusiasm in the interview process.
- Focus on the hours of availability - as opposed to when you aren't able to work.
- Make sure you are prepared with a few relevant questions, and even if they answer the questions you had prepared, when they ask say something like: "Thank you for asking. I did have a few questions, but you have answered them all throughout the interview." Don't just sit there and shake your head.
Volunteer Work
Don’t underestimate work that is done voluntarily. Some of the benefits of volunteering include: promoting responsibility and commitment, communication and working as part of a team, building and being a part of the community, networking and making contacts that could benefit future employment. There are so many people in need in our local communities and giving your time and commitment to serving God and giving in whatever capacity you are able is so valuable.
If you are interested in committing some time to volunteering and perhaps adding some skills that will benefit your future endeavours, ask at your church or youth group, or you can click on the links below to explore volunteering options available.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
2024 Work Experience Preparation
Some notes for the 2024 Year 10 cohort as students go into the holidays…
- Work Experience Week is Monday 24th June to Friday 28th June
- Begin your preparation for work experience over the Christmas break.
- Ask around your friends and family network.
- Some of the really good work experience placements are filled early.
- Do some research on the companies you are interested in working at.
- Be prepared to make some phone calls or door knocking.
- Make sure your resume is up to date and relevant for the companies you are interested in.
- Also, be prepared for some knock backs, in some industries it takes a lot of door knocking before you get a "yes".
Victoria Police
Unfortunately, we have not drawn a placement in the Victoria Police Work Experience ballot. Therefore, any students who were hoping to get a shot at the placement will need to make other arrangements. I would like to suggest a placement in a community service type job would definitely be advantageous.
Bayside Christian College placements
If you are hoping for a placement at BCC please note there is a separate procedure involved. You will need to contact Ms Smith before you can begin filling out your work experience forms. BCC placements will not be approved (even if you have spoken to a teacher/staff) unless you have followed the correct process.
2024 Year 10 Students - Work Experience opportunity
A reminder of the work experience opportunity available for the 2024 Year 10 students.
Things to consider for placements:
- Students must be 15 years or older to apply (at the time of work experience week)
- Students must be able to find their way to and from the placement each day during work experience week
- BCC Work Experience week is: Monday 24th June - Friday 28th June
Parliament of Victoria
If there are any students interested in an opportunity to complete work experience at the Parliament of Victoria, this may be for you!
If you are interested you will need to complete the Expression of Interest via the online link: https://new.parliament.vic.gov.au/teach-and-learn/work-experience/
The following information has been provided by Parliament of Victoria - outlining what the program entails:
Students can choose between two programs, Sitting and Services, and placements are open to students in Victorian schools who are residents of Victoria, and are 15 years or over at the time of the placement. We endeavour to choose students from a mixture of government, independent, and Catholic schools, from metropolitan and regional areas, and of all gender identities.
Parliamentary Sitting placements provide the opportunity to see the law-making process up close. Students will go behind the scenes with the staff who directly support Parliament sittings, to get a deeper understanding of our democratic processes.
Parliamentary Services placements offer a variety of opportunities that can be matched with a broad range of student interests and career goals, including business management, facilities management and maintenance, community engagement and broadcasting, and hospitality.
Expressions of interest for Terms 1 & 2, 2024 will close at 5:00 pm on Friday 12 January 2024.
2024 VCE Subject Changes or VCE/VM Certificate Change
If students are wanting to make VCE Subject changes or wanting to change from VCE to VCE-VM, please contact Ms Smith (michelle.smith@baysidecc.vic.edu.au) in the week before school commences in 2024 to enable any changes to be made as quickly as possible.
2024 Year 12 VCE Students - Extension Opportunities
A quick reminder for any students who may be interested in extension opportunities at University. VCE Students can engage in selected 1st year University units that can help to boost the ATAR and complete 2 university units FREE of charge prior to University applications. Some of these units have prerequisites that need to be completed prior to enrolment or concurrently while studying VCE Unit 3&4. Deakin and Federation Uni applications have now closed, but Latrobe is still open until February 2024.
If students are interested in more information regarding these programs, please click the link below.
[NB: These are extension programs for students to broaden their knowledge in preparation for university, not intended for students with a reduced load.]
LaTrobe University:
Aspire - Achieve Plus
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire/achieve-plus
Applications close: 06 February 2024
2024 VET Enrolments
Most VET courses are due to start in the first week of term. Please refer to the enrolment confirmation information sent by the training organisation or information given at orientation. All Chisholm classes are scheduled to start in week 1. If you are unsure of your first class date, please be prepared to start in week 1 and come and see me on the first day of term 1 so I can follow up for you.
If any students are enrolled in privately arranged VET courses (eg: McDonalds Retail Traineeship) could you please email Ms Smith (michelle.smith@baysidecc.vic.edu.au) so that the qualification can be added to your secondary results transcript and possibly contribute to your senior certificate.
For students interested in enrolling in Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology (VETA Morphus), enrolments opened on September 1st. Here is the link to the VETA website for information about VETA Morphus: https://veta.org.au/veta-morphus/
VETA have provided this recording of the recent information session for students and families: Veta Morphus Info Session for students/families for 2024
BCC’s new Chaplain will be hosting the peer group meeting on campus at a day and time to be advised early in 2024.
Bookings
Bookings are closed for the holidays and will reopen in the first week of Term 1. Appointments can be made in the following ways:
Calendly: Michelle Smith - Careers booking
Email: michelle.smith@baysidecc.vic.edu.au
Please include an indication of the reason for your booking so I can be best prepared to make the most of the time.
Please note my available booking times are Monday to Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Ms Michelle Smith
Careers Coordinator