PATHWAYS REPORT

Set Your Heart on a Career in Accounting & Financial Services

This week, Year 10 students Jenna, Jake and Hudson participated in the Accounting Week Work Experience Program, an initiative run in partnership with the Murray Mallee Local Learning & Employment Network (MMLLEN). 

Throughout the week, the students worked alongside Adam at Pooles Accountants & Tax Specialists, gaining a firsthand look at what a career in accounting involves. They spent time working with spreadsheets, learning how financial data is managed, and developing an understanding of the important role accountants play in supporting businesses and the wider community. 

A highlight of the week was Friday's CBD tour, where students visited several local businesses and organisations to learn more about the financial services industry. The tour included an information session with Maxine Vallance, Relationship Manager from the CDF Community Fund. Maxine spoke with students about the role of CDF and the services it provides to support Catholic schools, organisations and communities.

The week concluded with a Graduation Lunch at the Swan Hill Club Glencoe Room, where students joined industry representatives to celebrate the success of the program and hear from guest speaker Lizzie Nietvelt from Lower Murray Water. 

Year 9 Pathways Industry Guest Speakers 

Over the past few weeks, our Year 9 Pathways students have had the valuable opportunity to hear from several local employers about what they look for when hiring young people. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Christian and Varun from Hungry Jack's, Trista from Bunnings, former St Mary MacKillop College student Annee from McDonald's, and Lisa from Logan Street Café for generously sharing their time, experiences and advice with our students. 

A consistent message from all our guest speakers was the importance of creating a résumé and cover letter that genuinely reflects the individual behind the application. While AI can be a helpful tool, employers emphasised that they want to see a student's own experiences, strengths, and personality shine through. Students were also encouraged to research a business before applying and to introduce themselves in person when submitting a résumé, as this can help create a positive and memorable first impression. 

One of the most reassuring messages for our students was that employers understand many Year 9 students are applying for their very first job. Rather than expecting previous paid employment, employers encouraged students to highlight volunteer work, sporting commitments, community involvement, and other extracurricular activities. These experiences often demonstrate valuable employability skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, initiative, and reliability. 

It has been fantastic to see many of our students already putting their learning into practice by using the résumés and cover letters developed in their Pathways classes to apply for part-time and casual employment opportunities. 

These industry presentations reinforce the important role that Year 9 Pathways plays in preparing students for their senior years and for life beyond the classroom. By developing practical employment, communication, and self-presentation skills, students are building a strong foundation for future success. 

In Term 4, students will continue to develop these skills through a series of mock interviews. This experience will provide students with the opportunity to practice responding to interview questions, build confidence, and receive valuable feedback before attending real job interviews. 

We thank all our guest speakers for helping our students gain a better understanding of the workforce and for inspiring them as they begin exploring future career opportunities. 

Sally Looney & Anna Steicke

Pathways Team