Pastoral Bulletin

Career News

Rebecca Ambrose

Year 12s are busily researching into options for 2024 and beyond. There are so many traditional and non-traditional pathway options into university, TAFE and the workplace. Did you know you can now complete degrees through TAFE?  It is not too early to consider where one might start their post-school journey. 

 

Year 10s are starting their exploration of senior pathways as they near the end of compulsory schooling. Parents and students were sent a document, “What to consider when choosing subjects for Years 11 & 12” from Mr Cahill (15/5). It is a good summary of the variety of subject choices available to students in Queensland. Senior Education and Training Pathway conversations will be occurring early Term 3 to help students and families make informed for 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Degrees offered at TAFE

You can get university thinking with hands-on learning with a degree, diploma or pathway from TAFE Queensland. TAFE Queensland delivers degrees that combine theoretical and applied-learning style learning that see graduates prepared for work. Partnered with some of Australia’s most respected universities, TAFE provides students with up-to-date skills for a changing workforce and adaptable thinking skills in a smaller group learning environment. Click here and then click on (Search all degree courses) to see the range of Degree courses offered through TAFE.

 

Why choose TAFE?

TAFE Queensland has more than 500 nationally recognised qualifications to choose from across 50 locations across the state and a variety of study modes available. You'll be able to study what you want to in a way that suits you. Click here to find a course that might meet your career pathway needs and to find out more about studying at TAFE Queensland including:

  • Purpose-built facilities
  • Experienced teachers
  • Course diversity
  • Flexible study
  • University pathways
  • Support services

 

 

 

 

 

My Skills will help if you are wanting VET training

My Skills is an Australian Government initiative that lets you search for and compare, nationally recognised training courses and providers. Click here and find information on courses, training providers and what jobs match my skills. It has a search engine where you can search for all courses for:

  • Compare outcomes
  • Duration 
  • locations
  • nationally accredited training providers

Want to be an apprentice?

Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age and offer opportunities to learn new skills and be paid in over 500 jobs. You can use your qualification to work anywhere in Australia and around the world. Australian Apprenticeships:

  • offer you the opportunity to study and earn an income while undertaking a qualification.
  • can be done by anyone of working age.
  • give you the chance to learn new skills while getting paid in more than 500 careers and jobs.
  • can be done full-time, part-time or while you’re at school.

Check out Australian Apprenticeships and find information on:

  • What apprenticeship should I do?
  • I want to be an Australian Apprentice. What’s next? + School-based apprenticeships
  • What about my rights and wages?
  • Where can I find more information?
  • Find a provider

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Jobs

If you are interested in joining the ADF but don't know what ADF jobs are available, click on the home page to get you started. Click on 'Jobs' on the top navigation bar and you will see a list of jobs on offer in the various services. All jobs have a brief description, training and benefits including salary, medical and dental, work/life balance, job security and career development, skill acquisition and community involvement. 

 

Can't make it to an information session near you?

The following are links to ADF video sessions that contain valuable information that will assist you in your career research:

 

 

 

 

 

'The Adventures of You, career video!

myfuture has a resource called ‘The Adventures of You’ executive function guide. Three animated videos will help you understand the executive functions or mental skills needed to make career and course decisions. These include planning, reasoning, prioritising, problem solving, task flexibility, execution and monitoring actions. Check them out here!

 

7 Learning and Talent Leaders share the Best Career Advice they’ve ever received

We’ve all had moments where we question our career choices. Maybe we’ve felt like an imposter, wanted to strike out on our own, asked existential questions about why we spend so much of our week working in an unfulfilling role, or simply thrown up our arms in frustration at the negative workplace environment we’ve found ourselves in. It’s at times like these that we often turn to mentors, friends, and colleagues for advice, a moment to vent, or words of reassurance. “What should I do?” we ask, or sometimes more pointedly, “What would you do if you were in my shoes?”

 

It’s with these moments in mind that we asked influential leaders in the hiring and learning community: What’s the top career advice you’ve ever received?  Click here to read Linkedin's article where 7 successful business people talk about the career advice that made a significant impact on their career journey.

 

Career exploration at home

To continue your career exploration at home, myfuture has a list of resources for parents and students. They provide links to websites, activity sheets, videos and more. Check them out here.

 

Career quiz

The USQ Career Explorer will help you discover the study areas where your talents and interests can flourish and thrive. Take 5 minutes to simply answer a few short questions to find career options based on your interests, talents and preferences. This is one way you can start exploring your career options from a university pathway perspective (click on I am new to USQ). 

 

Challenging career myths amid the climate crisis

The climate crisis and the resulting beliefs about it can easily inspire meaningful action but can also elicit despair and hopelessness. When Trevor Lehmann (Career Consultant, University of Manitoba) assumed that a deep knowledge of science was required to work on climate issues, he discovered that this is far from the truth. Click here to read his article including:

  • You don’t need to be a scientist to help with the climate-crisis
  • The pressure of prescience
  • Find a focus

Job JumpStart website – Ways to explore careers and prepare for work!

The Australian Government, Department of Jobs and Small Business manage Job JumpStart, which provides tips and ideas about jobs and careers. You can start your search from a range of platforms including:

  • I’m at school
  • I’m on a Gap Year
  • I’m at Uni or in Training
  • I’ve just graduated from Uni or a training course
  • I’m looking for a job
  • I’m already working

Click on the Resources tab (top navigation bar) and you will also find lots of great videos. Check them out!

 

Job Search basics workbook

The Job search basics workbook is an interactive digital resource providing a range of activities and information to help you with your job search. The workbook aims to:

  • help you to understand your work preferences and skills and what you have to offer employers
  • provide practical information to help you research employers you want to work for and
  • help you to tailor job applications and prepare for interviews.

The workbook has four chapters, each offering interactive exercises and activities to help you build your job search skills:

  • Know what you want and can offer
  • Understanding employers
  • Your job application
  • Interviews

Check it out!

 

Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations webinar for parents and carers

Career uncertainty can be defined as the inability to articulate a career ambition for adult life. As transitions from school to further education, training or work become more unpredictable and employment markets more competitive and fluid, career uncertainty is increasingly common.

 

On 5 June (5.30 - 6.30pm), Dr Jo Gleeson will host a webinar, ‘Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations’, talking about the findings of her research and share a questionnaire that can help you to facilitate career conversations with your child. Register now

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Reflection on the Value of Having a Paid Job During High School - Q&A With Natalie Hidalgo the authors daughter

 

Although this article has been published in a Canadian career newsletter, what Ed Hidalgo reports is relevant to our world and the world of students in school in Queensland. As he says, what parents want for their children is happiness and the article talks about the many ways to be happy including getting that part time job. It is a great article for both parents/carers and for students. Click here to read the full article including a Q&A section.

 

AI to Z: all the terms you need to know to keep up in the AI hype age

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming ever more prevalent in our lives. It’s no longer confined to certain industries or research institutions. AI is now for everyone. The Conversation has published an article that spells out the meanings of terms you often read about and/or hear in association with AI. Click here to read their compiled glossary of terms that everyone should know.

 

Employment Projections

The National Skills Commission (NSC) Employment Projections provide a guide to the likely direction of the jobs market over the next five years. Each year these projections are updated to reflect emerging trends and developments. The latest data available are for the five years to November 2026. Click here to find out about:

  • Projections by industry
  • Projections by occupational group
  • Projections by skill level
  • Downloads include: Employment Outlook, Employment Outlook overview and 2021 NSC Employment Projections

Resume 101

‘Resume’ is a word you’ll hear a lot during the job-hunting process. A resume, sometimes called a CV or curriculum vitae, is a document that lists your work experience, education, skills and achievements. You’ll need a resume for almost any job application. It’s considered essential information to give to an employer so they can weigh up whether you’re suitable for a role and if they want to invite you to a job interview. Seek have put together some pointers about what should be included in your resume as a guide:

  • What should my resume include?
  • How long should my resume be?
  • What should it look like?
  • What to leave out

Why arts degrees and other generalist programs are the future of Australian higher education

There is a persistent idea that a generalist degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts, is less likely to land you a job when compared to a specific qualification. This is personified by the stereotypical arts student as a directionless young person who has chosen to explore sprawling and eclectic subjects with no clear outcomes. The idea a generalist degree just leads to overqualified graduates serving coffee Reality Bites-style is not only wrong, it is also a misguided understanding of what we need from graduates today and in the future. Click here to read more about The Conversations article that looks at:

  • Arts degrees do lead to jobs
  • Why are we so fixated on ‘vocations’?
  • A new definition of ‘employability’
  • This is where the generalist degree comes in
  • A bold idea
  • Valuing young peoples’ choices

 

 

 

 

 

How to get a high ATAR

Want to finish high school with the best results you could achieve but need to figure out how to manage your time well. UQ have put together some tips to help you get organised. This Link will take you to their article that includes more information along with the following tips:

How to stay motivated this semester

The Good Universities Guide has put together some tips on how to stay motivated for the rest of the school year. Although it is written for uni students the tips are just as valuable for school students. Click here to read more about the following tips:

  • Think of the bigger picture
  • Aim for a healthy balance
  • Take things one step at a time
  • Consider the positives
  • Surround yourself with people who will motivate you

Important Responsibilities Every Student Needs to Own

Tim Elmore from Growing Leaders encourages young people to step up and take responsibility and ownership for their live and life decisions. He suggests the following strategies are worth considering:

 

1. Master your attitude

You have no control over many obstacles that come your way, but you can control the way you respond to them. Own your attitude. Bad attitudes do you no good. Good attitudes can make the difference in whether you maintain creativity and optimism on the journey.

2. Be your own advocate at school

 

Students have agency. You need to exercise it. Stake a claim in class and let the teacher know that you’re interested in succeeding. Stand up for what you need, ask questions and own what you’ve agreed to do. This can be a game-changer.

 

3. Offer your best effort

Students can’t get upset with their grades if they don’t invest energy. You should pursue your courses, sports teams and other activities with an “all in” commitment. If you have to say no to some activities so you can focus, then so be it. Do less and achieve more.

 

4. Practice punctuality

When you’re on time, your message to others is, “I respect your time.” When you’re late, you unwittingly say, “I don’t care as much about your time as you do.” Be on time. Better yet, come early and prepared.

 

5. Surround yourself with people who can help you and vice versa

Most students make friends accidentally - whomever they meet at a party, or a game, etc. Why not identify and pursue helpful mentors, school and friends who will nudge you toward where you want to go. You can always return that favour.

 

6. Navigate your screen time

Most smartphones can report how much time we spend on them daily. Research demonstrates that fewer than two hours a day on social media leaves us less vulnerable to anxiety and depression. More than two hours results in greater vulnerability to mental health issues. Take charge of your phone and your time. It’s your life.

 

Kind regards

 

Rebecca Ambrose 

Careers Advisor

rambrose@cns.catholic.edu.au