Careers News 

It has been a very busy second term with lots of careers and pathways events. Our VCE cohort visited Deakin University and were presented with useful information on what this institution has to offer. A long tour of the campus included specialist sport and exercise facilities, nurse training ward, the moot court room, (where law students practice their stuff), and the highly technical film and television facility. It was nice to see Warrandyte kids spontaneously join in with the university students as they played some soccer and basketball at lunchtime. 

Year 10s had a similar tour of Latrobe University, with Samantha and Haydn winning a very nice, warm hoodie, which was perfect on a cold, wet day! Our Year 10 students got a quick tour, as many areas of the campus were out of action due to exams. Amongst other things, we saw The Matilda’s official training facility and enjoyed lunch in the busy Agora, where the Bollywood Club were recruiting members with free ice cream. These are the sorts of activities that inject a lot of fun into university life. 

We encourage students, parents and families to take the opportunity in Term 3 to visit some tertiary institution Open Days. A list of all these will be published on a Compass Newsfeed, so watch out for it! On Open Days you can visit an institution when it’s at its best. Everyone is there – academics, lecturers, current students, and information officers. More importantly, you can talk with academics, lecturers, and current students about what certain courses are like, and what is required to get into them. Apart from the opportunity to obtain course information there are many other reasons why attending an Open Day is a good idea:

• You are going to feel more comfortable arriving at a university or TAFE institute on the first day of classes if you have been there before.
• What is really involved in the course or courses you are interested in?
• If you must move away from home, where are you going to live?
• Will you be happier studying in a large metropolitan institution or a smaller, perhaps rural institution?
• • What does the place ‘feel’ like? Is it a bustling environment with lots of activity or a quieter, more relaxed campus set in landscaped grounds?
• • How are you going to get there? Is it close to public transport or should you start saving now for a car?
• If you don’t know the answers to any of these questions, then you should attend an Open Day!
• To make your Open Day visits fun and informative, here are some pointers:
• • Write down a list of questions you would like to ask about courses.
• • Be there early. Crowds tend to develop as the day progresses.
• • On arrival, get a map from a central point and ask for directions to the relevant faculties or schools.
• • Ask questions!
• Don’t spend the day collecting printed information only. Use the opportunity to speak directly with academics before applications close.
• Introduce yourself to selection officers if you feel it is appropriate, but don’t be pushy.
• Check out the residential colleges, if available. After all, it is you that might be living there.
• Walk around the campus. Have a good look! See what sporting facilities and other services are available.
• Enjoy the visit!

Recently, students from 8 to 11, have been considering future subject and course options. It’s an exciting time, and I am always amazed when someone I knew as a new Year 7 student, comes to see me about whether they should study Physics or Health, Biology or Business Management and so on. It’s great to see interest in studying extension subjects including VET and that students are considering alternatives such as the Vocational Major and School-based apprenticeships. A huge thanks to all invlolved in preparing the Handbooks, and subject portal as well as advising, helping and counselling students.

Our small group of Vocational Major pioneers recently held a Mini Careers expo to display their research into future career possibilities. Visitors were impressed with the professional way the students were able to promote and describe a variety of careers pathways. A great job by all involved.

As I write, the Year 10’s are heading off for a week of work experience. It’s not easy to find an employer willing to take on a student, and it relies on the help and support of parents, extended family and friends. A special thanks to the Explore teachers for helping students prepare for this event. Staff are excited and really looking forward to visiting or phoning students over the last week of term. Some students will be undertaking their experience later in the year. Even though students may have a part time job, work experience should also be a valuable part of their careers journey as they build up their resume, establish work routines and develop their skills and personal capabilities. They may even discover their dream job is not quite as glamorous as they thought! When discussing work experience at School Council, I thought it was worth ending this report with a small note from our School Council President, Amanda Minogue; 

"Many (many!) years ago, my year 10 work experience changed the direction of my study and future career. I was eager to become a lawyer and remember being very excited when I landed a week’s work experience in a top law firm. During my time I was lucky to be able to go to court and experience a broad range of duties, but…by day three I knew I did NOT want to be a lawyer! A family member had helped arrange my second week to be at a publicity/advertising agency. Not knowing what to expect or having any knowledge of what a career in this industry looked like, I was glad to have something booked in - but was very skeptical! Well, this time by day three I knew I wanted a career in marketing. And that is the industry I still work in!"

And before I finish, don't forget to check out the weekly Careers Newsletter at:

https://warrandytehighcareers.com/important-information/school-newsletters

You'll find lots of interesting information!

Claire Bloom

Careers Advisor