Careers News
Our VCE Year 12 students are currently sitting their VCAA exams and will soon finish. Many of our VCE students have submitted tertiary course preferences online through VTAC. A number have applied directly to TAFE institutions or some have applied to independent tertiary colleges. Many of our students will begin their post school life by beginning full time employment, a traineeship or apprenticeship or may join the defence forces or Victoria Police. All pathways are valid and offer opportunities to our students. There are many different pathways and it is important for students to pursue the right one for them at this time in their lives.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL YOU CREATE
- Mrs Kathie Jacobs has worked with all of our Senior VCAL students and has assisted them to plan their first post school pathway. Many have applied for TAFE courses and will await the results of the selection process. We look forward to hearing back from our Senior VCAL students as they too will be moving into a variety of different careers with the added advantage of work placement and their VET certificate completion. If any Senior VCAL student does require additional support they should return to speak with Mrs Kathie Jacobs for assistance. They are welcome back at any time.
For those who have applied through VTAC, they still have a number of opportunities to change their preferences. Often, these decisions are quite difficult and so we have provided a FAQ section for you to read to get some help during this period of time.
Year 12 students can access their ATAR on 14th December, 2018. Many will find the wait to be a nervous time. Students can access support to change their preferences from Mrs Bourne, who will be available during this period of time and from individual tertiary institutions who run events to support future students. It is important to understand that there are pathways into most career fields, not all. The change of preference system is open from 6 August - 19 December (12noon). Change of preference does close from 7am to 11am, 14 December when ATARs are released. Students are encouraged to come to school and visit Mrs Bourne for support during the change of preference period immediately following the release of ATARs.
All of the VTAC dates are in the VTAC Year 11 and 12 Guide which was distributed to students. Spare copies are still available from the Careers Office in V block.
The FAQ section below has been copied from The Good Universities Guide. For information on student experience and reflections about each tertiary institution we would recommend that you look at the QILT website for an objective view (https://www.qilt.edu.au/ ).
CHANGE OF PREFERENCE - COURSE SELECTION ADVICE
Reference: The Good Universities Guide (https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/ )
Q: What should I do first when choosing a course?
A: The first step is to revisit your list of all the features that the courses you have already listed offer and rank each potential course according to these criteria (you can add courses as long as you have met the essential requirements and subject prerequisites). Does the course have a practical or academic focus? Has it been accredited by an industry body? Are flexible study modes available? Can I get to it easily? Think about what you want and need from your course with your future career goals in mind, and make sure that the course you choose ticks all the boxes.
Q: Do universities structure the same courses differently (e.g. accounting and nursing?)
A: You may find that, despite covering similar content, universities structure the same courses quite differently. In the field of accounting, for example, you will find that some universities have a compulsory internship and others don’t. You will also find that some universities offer accounting only as a major within a business or commerce degree (which may require further specialisation at postgraduate level), while others have a specialised accounting degree with a more directed focus.
Q: What details should I check to know it’s the right course for me?
A: Choose a course because you are genuinely interested in the subject matter, not because the institution is prestigious or because you think it might lead to a glamorous job. Find out what the course actually covers, options that are available to you within the course (such as majors, research projects and internships), how it is taught and what graduates say. *QILT is a great tool for this research.
Q: If the courses are hard to get into does that mean they are superior?
A: Courses that are hard to get into are not necessarily superior; many high-status universities and esteemed courses such as law command higher ATARs and more prerequisite studies because of their popularity. While it might seem appealing to gain entry to a course with more difficult entry requirements (and a perceived higher status), this does not necessarily mean that you will find the course content or the university experience any more enjoyable.
Q: Does it matter which university you go to?
A: While you shouldn’t choose a course based on the university’s status alone, you should consider the merits of each university when choosing a course because its features and the way it teaches your course will greatly affect your course experience and career prospects. *QILT is a great tool for this research.
Q: What is TAFE like and can it be used to help me get employment or to university?
A: A huge number of students benefit from the accessible, affordable and industry-focused education and training they receive through TAFE and go on to be successful in a wide range of occupations. If you do require a university degree for your future career, TAFE courses may provide an excellent pathway into higher education study — graduates who progress to university studies may have the added advantages of being eligible for credit towards their degree and having two qualifications to their name when they complete their studies.
It is important to note that there are a number of FREE TAFE courses as listed on the PRIORITY FREE TAFE COURSE LIST (https://www.vic.gov.au/freetafe/free-tafe.html ). These are linked to employability and are certainly worth considering.
Eligibility for FREE TAFE Priority courses in 2019
Any Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen is eligible to do Free TAFE for Priority Courses in Victoria if they meet the following criteria:
*Under 20 or upskilling aged under 20 (regardless of any other qualifications they might hold), or
*are 20 or older and enrolling in a course that is a higher qualification than the highest qualification previously attained
Victorians who need additional support. Victorians who are:
*unemployed and clients of the Jobs Victoria Employment Network;
*retrenched workers, or
*automotive supply chain workers
looking to change careers.
Victorians who want to reskill, change careers, improve their employment prospects and/or meet the needs of local industries, subject to availability of TAFE places, and prioritised based on need.
For further information about Free TAFE visit www.freetafe.vic.gov .
