Careers News
And now for a bumper edition of what has been going in Careers ………..
Year 10 Work Experience
At the end of last term, all Year 10 students spent a week in the workforce for work experience. This is a challenging undertaking for many students who are expected to find their own placement and often get multiple knock backs. This is a real lesson in resilience!
As in previous years, many students sought out placements that would allow them to investigate the reality of an industry that they are interested in for their future. Some students went to professional settings whilst others aimed for a more 'hands on' experience. Some students come out of their experience realising that they don’t want to work in their chosen field after all. Sometimes, knowing what you DON’T want to do is as important as knowing what you DO want to do. Either way, it means that the Work Experience program ends up being a worthwhile one.
The same challenges that surprise students, pop up each year. Some of these are standing on your feet all day, having to be pleasant and chirpy even when you don’t feel like it and getting up earlier than usual to travel long distances for work.
Most students usually sleep really well at night after a day at work.
Overall it was a fantastic week for most. The program couldn’t run without the assistance of many of our staff here. The amount of administration required for the communication and legalities for all parties involved is a HUGE undertaking. This was cheerfully and professionally done by Ms Jackie Ousalkas and Ms Kate McLoughlin – thank you ladies! Thank you also to the staff who took the time to visit or phone students at their workplace – some of these staff do not even teach Year 10s!
Year 10 Excursion to Monash University
At the start of this term, all Year 10 students went out to Monash to check out a large university. We are not suggesting that all students need to go to university, but it is imperative that they understand the options available to them post school. This is why they look at a TAFE in Year 9 through the Trade Taster day, Work Experience in Year 10, and then a university visit, also in Year 10. By getting a snapshot of the various fields that students can go to after school, hopefully, they can imagine where they see themselves. A huge thank you to the staff who made this happen - Ms Caitlin Mackay, Mr Garry Geise, Mr Chuck Chan, Ms Anne Marie Lindberg, Ms Heather Murtagh and Ms Naomi Pernar.
YEAR 11 Personal Development Conference Incursion with Monash
Last week we were lucky to have Monash University send some presenters out to speak with our Year 11 students about 'life after school'. The aim of the day was for students to understand some of the challenges and choices they may face in the transition from Secondary Schools to their chosen pathway. They looked at how their personal characteristics, interests and attitude influence decisions for their future. Students did two sessions - 'Realities of University' and a Uniopoly game that covered subjects such as SEAS, Scholarships and surviving VCE.
This was not catered around Monash University, merely facilitated by them – this was relevant for a range of post school options and I feel it is essential for students to be thinking about these things BEFORE they reach Year 12.
Which brings me to OPEN DAYS ……….
A reminder that Open Days are happening this month for students to go onto TAFE, University and private providers campus’s to check out the courses, facilities and environments that they present for future studies. This is imperative at Years 10, 11 and 12. It is impossible for students to get to all Open Days in Year 12 as there are many held the same weekends. Statistics show that students who do not know where they want to go for further study, and what they want to study, often make poor choices and drop out. Those students making informed decisions have a greater retention rate and therefore a greater success rate – this is what we want for our kids. Please help them to help themselves!
Please click on the link below for a comprehensive list of Open Days:
http://www.vtac.edu.au/opendays.html
Year 12 Applications for TAFE and University next Year
Late last term all Year 12 VCE students attended a Tertiary Information Service (TIS) at Deakin University. This was an introduction to the application process that all Year 12 students will need to undertake this term to access the next stage of their education. In other words … What will I be doing when I finish up at Nazareth College?
This session looked at post school options and talked students through the process of applying for Universities, TAFEs and other private providers through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). VTAC is the sorting house between what Universities and TAFEs have to offer, and what course each student wants to do. It is the expectation that each Year 12 student will register and make an application. It is easier to receive an offer for a course and reject the offer, or defer it through VTAC, than it is to try and get into further education later down the track. The cost of making an application is $39.00 payable by PayPal or Credit card for timely applications (finishing on 30 September 2019) but this increases to $148.00 for late applications which can be done until December 2019.
There will be follow up sessions with me as a group which all students will be expected to attend but I will be working on student’s personal application individually. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with me to do this. VTAC opened for applications this week and closes on the 30 September. Students can also apply for SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) and Scholarships at this time.
This is an overwhelming process for some Year 12 students, especially if they don’t know what they want to do. This is perfectly normal and in this case we try to apply for generalist course such as a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Business so they can try different subjects within their preferred faculty. This gives students a little more time to find the right path for them. Often students stumble across a specific desirable career while studying a variety of subjects within these areas – this is normal too.
Once again – Open Days are a MUST to assist in this process and aid clarity.
I will be on hand to assist students with every aspect of their application and encourage both students and parents to seek clarification and ask any questions they may have. Parents are also welcome to attend their child’s appointment with them – Appointments can be made until 5.30 pm each weekday.
Please note the following:
- students using class time to make their application are expected to inform their teachers.
- If an appointment is made it MUST BE ATTENDED.
Good luck to all the Year 12s during this stressful time.
Career Expo
Well…. another successful Expo.
This year the Career Expo was a valuable opportunity for our students and parents to get relevant information to assist them with their subject choices. This year we held the Expo in conjunction with the subject selection information night and it was very successful. It reinforced the need to think ahead to a possible pathway students may want to follow and the importance of choosing subjects that would allow them to get there.
We had a range of representatives from a variety of TAFEs, Universities and Apprenticeship companies.
An event such as this cannot become a reality without the contribution of so many working behind the scenes either before or during the night.
Thank you to Ms Jackie Ousalkas and Ms Kate McLoughlin for their help with much of the administration that goes on behind the scenes. The maintenance team were amazing regarding set up and pack up – a huge thank you to Peter, John and Greg.
Thanks also to our student ambassadors - Simone Nguyen, Brandon Langevin, Jessica Gunasekera Ty, Lex Flodstom and Anthony Kouvelis. This crew helped with a myriad of things with gusto and enthusiasm.
We were also lucky enough to have a few past students who came in to assist with set up, pack up or were on hand to assist through the event. A big thank you to Emma Bau, Maree Bau, Vince Turcarolo and Nick Flodstrom. I just love that our alumni still feel such an affiliation to Nazareth and it is always lovely for staff to see our ex students all grown up.
Sebastian Venegas, one of our VCAL students, put his VET Hospitality skills to the test, looking after the coffee machine and serving our guests with the wonderful catering provided through 'Catering by Chantal'. The Expo presenters were so impressed. Well done Sebastian !
The feedback I receive from our presenters is always so positive. They always comment about how lovely our students are, showing great interest and asking terrific questions. They are always happy to return to our College and we are building a great relationship with many of these Registered Training Organisations who are then happy to accept our students for further education post Nazareth.
I love that they are always impressed by our facilities and our kids – they understand what we already know – that we are a great school that provides a range of opportunities for them to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge.
Cheers to all.
Ms Elena Flodstrom
Careers and Pathways Coordinator