Careers News

Year 10 Work Experience 1st to 5th June – Forms overdue

As outlined to students and families the Year 10 Work Experience Arrangement forms are now overdue. Thank you to the students who have confirmed their placements and returned their forms. Students who need extra assistance are encouraged to visit with their Careers Coordinator. Students who have not returned their forms will meet with their House Leaders on Fridays to outline why this task has not been completed and to set up a timeline for returning the form. The article below outlines the value students can gain from undertaking work experience.

All Work Experience Resources can be found under the Careers Tab on SPACE.

Student Athlete Development Day

21 March 2020 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Melbourne Cricket Ground

Are you a talented athlete in high school looking to gain an edge on the competition?

The Melbourne Student Athlete Development Day is your opportunity to learn from leading sport industry professionals as they give you insights and tips on how you can be training and competing like the pros.

Find out more click here.

Swinburne Early Leaders Program

You’re eligible to apply for the Early Leaders Program if you’re currently in Year 11, (including VCE, IB and VCAL students, plus regional students and those outside of Victoria).

You’ll get to build on and document all your extra-curricular activities, as well as reflect on your individual strengths and interests.

You’ll have to complete one core certificate and one of three elective certificates by the end of October deadline, and you can do the certificates either on campus at Swinburne or entirely online.

Benefits include:

Completion of the program could help you stand out on your applications for jobs and further study
develop life skills
grow your confidence
increase your employability
gain recognition for achievements from a leading university
get out of your comfort zone and try something new
develop the skills that will help you successfully transition to tertiary study

You’ll also get to attend workshops and seminars including:

Meet a Swinburne student – talk to a student studying a course you’re interested in. (Offered on campus or via Skype or phone)
Introduction to academic writing (offered as a webinar)
Career planning (offered on campus and as a webinar)

If you successfully complete the program and apply to Swinburne for future studies, you could also get up to two aggregate points added to your application.

Expressions of interest for a February 2020 start are open now.

Find out more information or submit your enquiry here.

Wool4School Design Competition

Wool4School is an annual student design competition encouraging budding fashion designers to show the nation what they’re made of.

Open to all Australian school students in high school, the Wool4School competition invites students in years 7 – 12 to design an outfit using a minimum of 70% wool. The outfit must contain a minimum of one piece with a maximum of four pieces and show the student’s creative and innovative side.

Registration is open now and closes on Friday 29 May.

Find out more and register here.

National History Challenge

The National History Challenge is a research-based competition for students. It gives students a chance to be an historian, researching world history, examining Australia’s past, investigating their community or exploring their own roots.

The theme for 2020 is CONTESTED hiSTORIES.

Entrants may be students from Primary years to Year 12, 19 years of age or younger in Australian schools.

Find out more and enter here.

The value of Work Experience

If you’re contemplating getting some work experience, but you’ve read that in all likelihood most of your time will be spent observing, you might be a bit confused about the skills you could be taking away.

Well, not all work experience will be watching and learning (and if they are at least your observational and note taking skills will be top notch by the end of it). In reality there’s every chance that you’ll be leaving your placement with new or improved technical skills that are specific to each job or industry.

Is that all?

Definitely not.

There’s way more to work experience.

Applying for a position and turning up alone will guarantee that you’ll have demonstrable talents to add to your resume.

Don’t believe us? Here are just a few examples of skills you’ll need at work and that you could develop when you sign up:

Problem solving – you won’t be expected to problem solve at work experience but finding solutions to how you’ll get there each day, arrive on time, organise your day etc. are all examples of this skill.
Time management – arriving on time, knuckling down & getting tasks done.
Organisation – managing your time efficiently, the practicalities of heading off to work and ticking jobs off your “to do” list, could help you find hacks that work for you and improve your organisational know how.
Communication and other interpersonal skills – having to work closely with your supervisor, other employees and customers, your verbal and non-verbal communication skills will get a workout. In addition to honing your communication talents, you might find that your active listening, clarity and diplomacy abilities are improved too.
Teamwork – working well with other people, listening to them, following instructions, engaging, and adding value in the workplace, all add up demonstrable teamwork skills, highly desired by most employers.
Professionalism – includes looking the part, taking the job seriously, trying your best, and using appropriate language.
Networking – you’ve heard that phrase “it’s not what you know but who you know”? Well it’s very true in lots of aspects of life, so learning how to network well could open up new opportunities for you.
Business etiquette – watching and learning everything from how to write professional emails, the best way to answer the phone, when to step back from a situation, how to remain professional in all situations, are invaluable when you’re looking for paid work.
Initiative – if you finish a task and your supervisor is busy, wash up the mugs, do some filing, ask around if there’s another job you can do to help out – just be proactive. Also, let your employer know if you have an idea about trying something new or different that could help get the job done.
Work ethic – don’t complain, don’t slack off and take advantage of the fact you’re not at school, don’t take excessive breaks, don’t spend time on your phone. DO try you’re best, give everything a go, and ask for help if you need it.
Willingness to learn – be enthusiastic, show you’re ready to listen and learn, try new things, follow instructions, don’t be a know it all.
Computer, technical or practical skills – you probably have a great understanding of technology but using it in a workplace environment, using new programs, software and equipment will only expand your knowledge.
Customer service – dealing with the public isn’t always easy, learning how to handle tricky situations, keep customers happy or just provide with the information they need, is a great skill to have in any industry.
Confidence and self-esteem – these might not sound like any skills you’ve heard of before, but they’re really important as you go through life. They’ll help you reach goals, take opportunities, challenge yourself and ultimately help you move forward.

To get the most out of work experience don’t forget….

Ask lots of questions at your placement to maximise the benefits from being there.

Think about the skills you gained from your work experience and make sure you add them to your resume or portfolio.

If you’re looking for more information, our Work Experience Guide is out now, it’ll explain everything you’ll need to know, and could even help you find work experience positions.

Schoolies Unearthed | Online Discovery Session

11 March 2020, 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Online

Heard about Schoolies Unearthed and keen to find out what we’re all about? Our Online Discovery Sessions will help you:

Decide which trip is best for you!
Understand a ‘typical’ day in the life of a Schoolies Unearthed traveller.
Learn more about us, including info on safety, support, flights and insurance.
Understand how to book and find out about special promotions.

Find out more click here.

Monash | Information Evening, Peninsula

28 April 2020, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Monash University Peninsula Campus

We know that choosing a university is a big decision. Get all your questions answered at our information evening.

At our information sessions, you’ll learn about what it’s like to study at Monash. Find out about our range of courses, accommodation options, scholarships, student life and so much more! You’ll also have the opportunity to hear from a current student or graduate about where their Monash degree has led them.

Find out more click here.

Competitions to boost your career

The Student Blogging Challenge

The Student Blogging Challenge is about embracing all of the benefits of publishing online — from learning digital writing skills, and digital citizenship, to developing an authentic audience and connecting with others around the globe.

The challenge is made up of a series of 8 weekly tasks all designed to improve blogging and commenting skills, while connecting students with a global audience. It is open to students aged 8-16 from around the world.

The next challenge begins on Sunday, 15 March 2020, and registrations are open now.

Find out more here.

What Matters? Competition

What Matters? is a ‘catalyst for young thinkers and young writers to develop a perspective, a point of view, on where we’re heading as a society’.

Inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia’s future, the competition is currently open to school students in years 5 to 12 from Australia. Responding to the simple question ‘what matters?’, entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.

To enter What Matters? students submit an original written work between 400-600 words in prose or poetry, of either fiction or non-fiction.

Entries are open until Friday, 8 May 2020

Find out more and enter here.

Strike A Chord Competition

Strike A Chord is a new competition designed to encourage the next generation of Australian musicians to experience the life-changing possibilities of chamber music.

Music Viva is giving secondary school ensembles the opportunity to explore their potential and discover the joy in making music with friends, whatever their level of ability.

Twelve aspiring groups will be chosen to perform for a live audience and expert jury in the Melbourne Recital Centre during a Finals weekend from 4-6 September, competing for cash and development prizes.

Entries are open now and close Thursday, 21 May 2020

Find out more and enter here.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is an opportunity for all young Commonwealth citizens and residents, regardless of region, education or background, to share ideas, celebrate their story and have their voice heard – all whilst developing key skills.

The theme for 2020 is “Climate Action and the Commonwealth”. Young people are called upon to consider their position and power in bringing about change, and how the Commonwealth can be used as a tool for positive action.

Entries are open until Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Find out more and enter here.

2020 STEM Video Game Challenge

The Australian STEM Video Game Challenge is open to upper primary and secondary school students. Students are encouraged to design, build and submit an original educational video game that includes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) content or themes.

The theme for 2020 is “scale”.

Registration is open now, and games can be submitted up until Wednesday, 5 August 2020

Find out more and enter here.

Melissa Dillon and Robyn Cardamone

Careers & VET Coordinators