MY FUTURE Careers Newsletter

Resources

National Science Week 2023

This year, National Science Week will take place from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 August.

All around Australia there will be a huge variety of live online events, virtual tours, competitions and fun activities to participate in and grow your STEM knowledge.

 

Take a look at what’s on and find a whole bunch of resources here.

Alternative pathways to university and beyond

Lots of people assume that once you finish high school, your next move will be to head off to university. And while this is a great goal to aim for, sometimes it just doesn’t seem possible. There are lots of reasons for this, including:

  • You didn’t get the results you needed
  • You missed a prerequisite subject
  • You need to move a long way to follow your dream and you’re not ready for that yet
  • You’ve had enough of study for now and want a break

And whether you’re concerned your grades won’t get you into your preferred course or you don’t even want to go to uni, there are plenty of options out there to suit you.

 

Alternative pathways into University

Universities want you to attend (they’re a business at the end of the day, and more students means more income). So if you’ve chosen a course you really like – or a uni you really want to go to – check their website for alternative pathways they might offer. These often include things like:

  • Bridging courses
  • Enabling courses
  • Portfolio entry
  • Preparation programs
  • Special admissions tests.

Most universities offer lots of different alternative pathway options, and you could be studying towards your preferred degree in no time at all. Most pathways involve a bit of extra work, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

 

I don’t want to go to uni – what now?

Alternative pathways aren’t just limited to university. You could apply for a job straight out of school, get lots of experience, and work your way up the career ladder. It’s not an easy route by any means, but if it’s an option for the career of your choice, you’ll start earning straight away and be pursuing the job you wanted.

 

There are still lots of different jobs out there where tertiary education isn’t a requirement. As long as you meet the job requirements and nail your interview, you could be embarking on a career within months of leaving school.

 

Plus, many universities offer what are known as “experience based” pathways – so if you ever change your mind, you can use your work experience to study down the track.

 

Vocational qualifications

There are literally thousands of vocational qualifications available, delivering workplace-specific knowledge and skills across lots of careers and industries. You can study anything from trades, business, design, retail, or hospitality, to tourism, arts, engineering, or technology. Like universities, many institutions offer both in-class and online study options.

 

The great thing about vocational qualifications is that most of them have very low (or even no) entry requirements, so you don’t need to stress about your grades. And once you’ve finished your course, you could even use your qualification as a pathway to further study at uni. Or you might find a vocational qualification is all you need to start your dream job.

Narrow down your options by deciding an area you’d like to study. Search for courses that meet your requirements and then refine by location. It’s always worth checking if you’re eligible for any scholarships, grants, or additional funding that can cover some or all of your costs too.

 

Apprenticeships, traineeships, and cadetships

These are all a great way to kick off a career. Open to nearly everyone with very few barriers, apprentices and trainees are employed directly through an employer and you start earning while you learn.

 

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll have both a qualification and lots of work experience. A lot of the time employers choose to keep apprentices and trainees on in full-time roles after their studies are finished.

 

Cadetships are similar to apprenticeships – employers offer a combination of industry-specific training and work experience. They’re most commonly offered by government departments and private companies. Just bear in mind that many cadetships have higher entry requirements and can be competitive.

 

It’s your choice

Finding out more about all the alternative pathways into a career that you want can open lots of doors. You might find the perfect pathway that you didn’t even know existed.

If you’re indecisive and still aren’t sure what you’d like to do, then finding out what alternative options are available could help you decide which step to take. It could also inspire you to explore careers you’ve never considered before.

 

And don’t worry about being “too old” or “too late” – people of all ages study and change careers at multiple points in their lives, from 18 to 80.

 

You can learn more about alternative pathways here.

Volunteering ideas – where can you start?

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering, that’s great! There are heaps of places out there that are always looking for keen helpers, and many of them welcome volunteers from ages 16+.

 

Before we get into some places where you might like to volunteer, let’s have a quick look at the benefits of volunteering.

 

What’s in it for you?

Well, you won’t get rich financially – but you’ll get rich in many other ways:

  • Experience
  • Learning new skills
  • Reduces stress
  • Combats depression
  • Mentally and/or physically stimulating
  • Provides a sense of purpose
  • Helps other people
  • Makes you feel better about yourself
  • Great for your resume
  • Benefits your community
  • Make new friends
  • Network
  • Challenging
  • Fun.

Whatever your motivation for volunteering and no matter what your interests are, there will be a way you can get involved with something that matters to you, and that will also make a positive difference to you.

 

Skills you could gain or improve on

Include but not limited to:

  • Industry-related skills
  • The ability to work in a team
  • Leadership
  • Problem solving and adaptability
  • Communicating with clients and stakeholders
  • The ability to plan and prioritise work
  • Sales skills
  • Time management
  • Report writing
  • Improved interpersonal skills.

Not sure where to start?

Here are some ideas for ways you can volunteer your time:

 

Environmental initiatives

  • Participate in community clean-up events.
  • Join a local tree planting or gardening project.
  • Assist in wildlife conservation efforts.

Mentoring and education

  • Tutor students in subjects you excel in.
  • Teach workshops on specific skills (e.g., coding, art, cooking).

Aged care

  • Visit nursing homes to spend time with and support the elderly.
  • Assist with organising social activities for seniors.

Homelessness and hunger

  • Volunteer at a local food bank or soup kitchen.
  • Distribute food and essential items to homeless individuals.
  • Help organise donation drives for clothing, blankets, and food.

Animal welfare

  • Volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue organisation.
  • Foster animals awaiting adoption.
  • Assist with pet adoption events.

Healthcare and support

  • Offer companionship and assistance to patients in hospitals or hospices.
  • Volunteer for crisis hotlines or support groups.
  • Help organise blood donation drives.

Disaster relief

  • Join disaster response teams to provide aid in emergencies.
  • Volunteer with organisations that provide relief to disaster-stricken areas.

Arts and culture

  • Volunteer at local museums, galleries, or cultural events.
  • Assist with organising and promoting arts-related programs.

Housing and construction

  • Join community projects to build or repair homes for those in need.
  • Volunteer with organisations that provide housing assistance.

Digital volunteering

  • Offer virtual tutoring or mentoring sessions.
  • Help non-profits with website design, social media, or graphic design.

Social activism

  • Volunteer with organisations working on human rights, equality, and social justice.
  • Engage in voter registration and education campaigns.

Language and cultural exchange

  • Help newcomers learn the local language and culture.
  • Participate in language exchange programs.

Sports and recreation

  • Coach youth sports teams or lead fitness classes.
  • Assist with organising local sports tournaments or events.

You’ve got nothing to lose

With so many choices and with so many benefits, why wouldn’t you consider giving volunteering a go? Hopefully some of these volunteering ideas have sparked your interest.

If you don’t enjoy it then you can always try something else (once your commitment is complete), and you never know where it could lead you.