Education Week: Celebrating Careers

2019 is the 75th year of Education Week and it aims to positively profile and celebrate the strengths and achievements of Victoria’s government education sector. Education Week 2019 is all about celebrating careers and pathways that will make your dream job come true. It is an opportunity for schools, TAFEs and Tech Schools to showcase the work they are doing to support students in their career pathways.

In celebration of Education Week, we welcomed 7 members of our college community, 5 of which were DSC alumni (past DSC students), to share their unique stories with our year 7 students. Our Young Alumni Leader, Annabel Carr who was the 2018 school captain, opened the assembly introducing the guests and speaking briefly about her part-time role at the college, re-engaging past students of DSC and helping to coordinate events such as this one. This is just a snippet of the wisdom that our guests shared with the students.

Liddy Pickens, a secondary educator and media producer, loves that she gets to help young people understand the world and how to communicate who they are others, as she feels that communication and connection are essential to us all.

'Hard work can get you anywhere you want to go!'

Steph Ratcliffe, an elite athlete and 2018 DSC graduate has received a scholarship to attend Harvard University this year to study Medicine. Challenging the students to 'try something you've never tried before', she spoke to the students about the first time she attempted hammer and how this sport has provided her with so many wonderful opportunities. She emphasised that you don't need to be smart or naturally talented, 'hard work can get you anywhere you want to go!'

Haydn Blake shared how he had dreamt of being in Victoria Police's Air Wing since he was 13 years old and in 1987 he wrote a letter to Police Air Wing detailing this dream. With his determination, he now works as a tactical flight officer and senior constable in the Victoria Police Air Wing. He encouraged the students to 'push on with it. If it's something you are really interested in, you WILL get there'.

'Maintaining a healthy balance between studying and enjoying life will ultimately lead to a happier life.'

Nima Goharpey (2010 DSC graduate) an auctioneer at Phillip Webb shared how he attended his first year of university and then decided to discontinue his studies to pursue his dream to work in real estate. He believes that 'working hard is important but maintaining a healthy balance between studying and enjoying life will ultimately lead to a happier life and greater success.'

Ryan Cheng had his sights set on playing soccer for Manchester United and in 2011, one year before he graduated from DSC in 2012, he received a scholarship to play soccer in the states. His dream was shattered when he was injured quite badly, preventing him from pursuing soccer as a career. He discovered that he loved storytelling and went on to study arts, politics and criminology. Since, he has founded 'The 88', an online publication that shares stories about global culture and society, and works as a freelance consultant and as a Digital Producer at Deakin University.

'How do we add value within our careers?'

Stuart Hill, a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Paramedic, attended DSC 30 years ago and knew exactly what he wanted to do when he graduated in 1989. He asked the students to think about 'how do we add value within our careers?'. Qualifying for the Ironman Championships, Stuart says he has been able to get to where he is today because he's worked hard and persisted. Stuart finished saying 'the one message I will give you is that if someone tells you, you can't do something but you still want to do it, you go for it and you work really hard to do it.'

'Determination will beat talent any time'

Carla Troiano, a professional musician, is the lead singer in the band 'Mayfield' and has performed as a leading vocalist at many high profile events such as The Forum Theatre, Hisense Arena, The Australian Grand Prix and the Sydney Opera House. Writing her first song in the DSC Rock Band with Mr Dean and Mrs Howes, Carla has continued to pursue her passion since graduating from DSC in 2004. Sharing her battles with the people who told her that being a musician wasn't a 'real career' lead her down a path of determination which she believes 'will beat talent any time, so whatever you do, you have to work harder than anybody else'. She encouraged the students to grasp opportunities and to 'make sure you continue to pursue something you're passionate about'.

A huge thank you to these thoughtful and thought-provoking alumni and members of our college community for giving up their time to speak to pay their experiences and learnings forward to our year 7 students and staff. It’s people like our inspirational guests who are changing mindsets, career plans and possibly even the lives of these young people.

Vanessa Ramsay

Career Development Coordinator

Haydn Blake's Air Wing dream

Around the College

Interact: Live Below the Line

Piano Design Competition

Winter Music Concert