VET and Careers News

Careers Information Bulletin – Something for Everyone

There are so many fantastic and current career opportunities found in our fortnightly ‘Careers Information Bulletin’. 

Careers

Mrs Michelle Carter - Careers Counsellor

Just a quick note to say “Farewell” as this will be my last Careers Newsletter at Marist. It’s been lovely to have been part of the Marist community over the past three terms. Elizabeth Kenny returns from maternity leave and will come into the Careers role from July. 

Last Friday, the 2027 QTAC guide was electronically sent to Year 12 students (it is attached to this newsletter for your interest). This is a 366-page guide for University/TAFE/Private Provider entry post Year 12. Unfortunately, QTAC no longer provides Year 12 with a physical copy.

UQ St Leo’s

A big thank you to Dan McMahon (Head of College) who came last week and talked to interested Year 12 students about living on campus (as a resident) or as a Day student (through the Associateship program). There are brochures available at the Careers/VET reception. Extra bits:  You do not need to be a UQ student to live at St Leo’s (many students attend QUT, GU, ACU etc). St Leo’s is the only male College (of the 10 Residential Colleges). For those students thinking of being a resident, costs are approximately $28000 for 40 weeks. Further details:  Home - St Leo's College

UQ Events

Don’t wait for Open Day on 2 August - UQ is hosting a number of Guided Walking Tours (St Lucia) which is a great way to hear from current students and have your questions answered. Whether you're interested in academic pursuits, sports, or student life, these guided tours offer a glimpse into the endless opportunities at UQ. Dates include the 30 June and 9 July (and beyond). To register:  Explore UQ: Campus tours - Study - The University of Queensland

25 June (Years 9-12 and parents):  Explore future study and career pathways at UQ’s Engineering, Design and Computing Careers Evening through engaging sessions that connect study with industry practice. Link:  Engineering, Design and Computing Careers Evening - Study - The University of Queensland

6-9 July:  Year 10 - Junior Physics Odyssey (JPhO) is a 4-day (non-residential) program held at UQ St Lucia campus for students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics. Junior Physics Odyssey - Study - The University of Queensland

What senior subjects should you study to gain an excellent ATAR 

Year 10 students and their parents often ask this question. The answer is, the subjects that you enjoy, have had past success in and meet any future tertiary course prerequisites. You want to get to the end of Year 12, receive your results and be able to say to yourself that they are the best results you could get while maintaining life balance and wellbeing. Your ATAR is just a tool used by QTAC for competitive entry into tertiary institution courses. It is NOT an indication of your 'intelligence' and future success and happiness in life.

How parents support their teens’ career exploration

Helping young people navigate their high school career research to prepare for post-secondary or work life is personal to every family. However, how older generation’s view careers and life will be vastly different from the world of work that Generation Z and future generations will face because of the rapid evolution of tech and AI. So, what can parents do to help increase their child’s success in the changing world of work? Click here to read an article by Conny Lee where she talks about:

• Exploration
• Research and look for trends
• Have open conversations

• Cultivate resilience and flexibility

   

Tips to increase your child's interest in careers

Young people can be unclear about their direction in life. It’s often not until their early twenties that they gain a good sense of who they are. Our system, however, asks much younger people to make decisions based on knowing who they are and what they want to achieve in life. They have to select subjects, elective choices and vocational study opportunities. There is a wealth of information about possible choices. People can feel overwhelmed, unable to decide or lose interest in the whole 'careers thing'. Finding out who you are and what you want to do is a process that depends on many factors.

Click here to read about 11 strategies that may assist you and your child including:

1. Stay calm and open-minded
2. Be a positive influence
3. Encourage your child to talk to other adults about their careers
4. Watch movies and television together
5. Talk about the people you know or those you meet in your day-to-day activities
6. Do things together
7. Ask your child what would they choose if they could be or do anything in the whole world
8. Make it easy for your child to participate in work experience programs
9. Encourage your child to participate in activities at school or in the community
10. If your child is ready, encourage them to seek a part-time job
11. Start to build their career profile