Careers News
My Passion is to Help you Find your Passion!
Welcome back to a new school year at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield. I am thrilled to once again work alongside our Year 10, 11 and 12 students, guiding them as they uncover their passions, explore potential career directions, and chart a clear pathway toward achieving their goals. Over the course of this year, we will delve into their strengths, interests, and long-term ambitions, ensuring every student is empowered to make informed decisions and confidently step into the future that awaits them.
Last year’s Year 12 cohort performed exceptionally well in the HSC, with many students gaining entry into courses directly aligned with their career ambitions. Through close observation, several key strategies emerged that contributed significantly to their success. These strategies not only helped set them on the path to academic excellence but also empowered them to make well-informed decisions about their future careers.
Charting your path to a dream course and career: Insights from the 2024 Year 12 cohorts’ achievements
Below are the strategies that proved effective for the Year 12 cohort.
1. Choose subjects that play to your strengths and interests
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
In economics, the principle of ‘comparative advantage’ explains how a nation will produce and export goods that it can create more efficiently than other nations. This logic applies just as well to individuals: if you identify what you naturally do best (and enjoy) and dedicate your energies there, you are more likely to excel. Similarly, when selecting subjects, lean into those areas where you have a genuine passion or knack. This doesn’t mean you ignore your weaknesses completely; it just means you prioritise what energises you, sparks your curiosity, and highlights your strengths.
At St Patrick’s, we have seen that students who select subjects they truly enjoy—not just those rumoured to “scale better”—tend to remain more motivated and engaged. As a result, they often achieve superior marks. It’s worth noting too, that last year’s Year 12 group demonstrated an impressive diversity in subject choices—from Extension Mathematics to the Creative Arts—reflecting each student’s drive to pursue what resonates with them most. Their approach was not guided by scaling or external pressures, but by genuine interest and personal strengths.
It is important to take some time to consider: What subjects do you look forward to? Where do you consistently perform well? Is there a specific field or discipline that you find yourself researching or reading about just for fun? These questions can help you pinpoint not only your academic strengths but also career paths that might be a natural fit.
2. Develop career goals early for future motivation
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You have likely heard it before: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else.” By defining your career goals, you give yourself a target to work toward. This goal-setting process should be influenced by your personal interests, skill set, and values. Ask yourself: Where do I see myself in five or ten years? From there, you can investigate required qualifications, whether that involves an ATAR requirement, TAFE courses, or apprenticeships.
Once you’ve set a broad career goal—maybe it’s in engineering, teaching, or the trades—you can reverse-engineer your next steps. For instance, if you’re aiming for a particular university course, you might identify the minimum ATAR required and then break down what each subject needs to contribute. Achieving smaller, specific academic goals along the way will propel you toward that broader, long-term career objective.
Even if you’re unsure about your exact career path, aligning your career goals around your strengths and interests will keep your motivation high. Last year’s Year 12 cohort discovered that having a clear picture of their post-school direction energised their day-to-day efforts, whether they were preparing for final exams or applying for scholarships. Keep in mind that aiming high doesn’t just lead to stronger outcomes—it also cultivates the resilience and discipline that will benefit you in every aspect of life.
3. Go the extra mile and embrace a growth mindset
“Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential.” – Winston Churchill
Securing the future career you want requires more than strong grades - it calls for dedication, resilience, and the determination to go the extra mile. Last year’s Year 12 cohort embodied these qualities, staying focused on their academic goals and working tirelessly to reach them. By focusing on your personal strengths—your “comparative advantage”—you can develop skills that set you apart, creating pathways to scholarships, prestigious university placements, or competitive apprenticeships.
Yet true achievement isn’t just about academic results; it also comes from embracing a growth mindset. Treat setbacks as opportunities to learn and refine your approach, ensuring continuous progress both in and out of the classroom. Ultimately, every student’s path is different, and running your own race means valuing your unique journey rather than measuring yourself against others. Whether your goal is a specialised university course, a creative arts program, or an apprenticeship, pushing yourself to excel will unlock your full potential.
4. Engage in extracurriculars to prepare for the future
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin
When considering what makes you an attractive candidate to universities or employers, strong academic results certainly matter—but they’re not the entire story. Many future career roles will demand multitasking, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Extracurricular activities are an excellent place to develop and highlight these qualities. Joining a sports team, learning a musical instrument, volunteering in the community, or participating in debating can each contribute to your personal growth and allow you to develop your ‘personal brand’.
Extracurricular activities offer an excellent avenue for sharpening the leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that universities, cadetships, and scholarship panels value so highly. At St Patrick’s College, last year’s students who consistently invested time in co-curricular pursuits—be it sports, community service, music, or debating—stood out during cadetship and scholarship applications. Their breadth of involvement demonstrated an ability to juggle multiple commitments, contribute to a team, and display initiative, all of which are crucial for future success. By embracing these opportunities, you build a ‘personal brand’ that extends beyond academic performance, highlighting your versatility and potential to thrive in any career pathway.
5. Seek out mentors to inspire you and keep you on track
“Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had real positive influences in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living—if you do it well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing you the way. A mentor.” – Denzel Washington
No one achieves success alone, especially in Year 12. Having a mentor—a teacher, an Old Boy, a coach, or an older family friend—can be the key to staying motivated and maintaining perspective. In fact, last year’s Year 12 cohort had mentors who played a crucial role in their journey, offering support through challenges and celebrating their successes. When things got tough (and they sometimes did), these mentors provided guidance, reminded students of their goals, and helped them chart a course back when they’d veered off track. The impact of having someone in your corner was clear in the confidence and resilience they showed throughout the year.
Look around at St Patrick’s: Is there a staff member whose advice you value and who motivates you? Perhaps there’s someone you trust in your local community who is already working in a field that interests you. Don’t be afraid to approach these people for regular check-ins or advice about navigating subject choices, balancing extracurriculars, and building a network in your future career area.
Talking with someone who’s walked a similar path can be incredibly reassuring. They can share firsthand insights into what university life, a trade, or a full-time job in a certain industry is really like. More than that, mentors can celebrate your successes, push you to aim higher, and help you handle setbacks.
I am available to meet with any student and/or their parents to discuss subject selection, course and career options, especially if it helps in setting goals and planning ahead.
Feel free to reach out on 8705 9255 or by emailing joanne.cupac@spc.nsw.edu.au. I look forward to getting to know the students at St Patrick’s College even better so I can continue mentoring and guiding them in their educational and career decisions.
Joanne Cupac
Head of Careers