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To the Class of 2023

This guest article was written by Claire Pech, Careers Advisor at an independent school in Sydney, and consults as Claire Pech Careers. The article has also been edited to reflect a Victorian audience.

Another year comes around and I find myself reflecting on our Year 12 group, about to rush out through the school gates. I have a few pointers that I would like to send them off with.

Do lots

As we know we spend the majority of our lifetime at work. That’s why getting it right (not perfect) is so important. But it takes time to refine. I find the more experiences (not just jobs) we have throughout our lives; the more informed career decisions can be. This is something that every career advisor talks about to their students, particularly in application forms, resume creation, interview practice and thinking about the future. Experiences can be valuable lessons in teaching us what we like, what we are good at, and what we don’t like.

Kathryn Taylor, from Turning Point Consulting (and my careers hero) says “Take a chance by stepping out of your comfort zone, reaching for new opportunities and meeting new people. Whether it be a conversation, a casual or volunteer opportunity, or a work experience, gain real insight into different workplaces, their people and positions without judgement or assumptions.”

What works?

An important part of career-navigating can be to find out what you are good at – what works well for you – and link this to your values/interests. I wish I was told this when I left my school gates. Very often what we are good at, is what we enjoy, what feels natural, where we can flourish and also grow. I know a lot of people in roles that don’t excite them, and their days are not filled with much joy. When you can tap into the skills that you feel come naturally to you – that can be a great path to travel down. But it takes time, and feeds back into point number 1, the more jobs, experiences, opportunities and industries we get exposed to – the more likely we are to find them.

The ‘passion’ paradox

‘Do what you love and you will never work another day in your life’. I am not a big fan of this phrase. Firstly, I don’t think it’s always true. I have personal experience of the opposite. Secondly, it can sometimes be a difficult path, especially if there are issues with job prospects, job instability or a saturated market. Thirdly, other traits may be needed alongside that passion – such as tenacity, grit, determination, a thick skin and good old luck, timing, connections. You can be the most talented person, with buckets of passion, but without determination, that passion may not get you where you want to go. Lucy Sattler, Career Practitioner, from Study Work Grow – prefers the question ‘What problem would you like to solve?’ – that can show us where we want to put our energy into.

A more balanced approach could be to ensure that passion remains present throughout life. Keeping that passion alive is important. Whether it’s performing, music, drama, art, sports, academic pursuits, a hobby…the importance is to hold on to that passion. It could be as a hobby, a sideline, a potential future side-hustle, a future club to join, or an area you will want to be involved in. If you pursue it and turn it into your future career – then good on you! Just don’t feel under pressure to do so. And don’t feel bad if you have not found your passion, or ‘a’ passion. They can turn up at any stage. I have friends who have started new hobbies later in life, only to realise it’s been the best thing they have ever done, the joy of their week. Passions can change. Jim Bright, from Bright and Associates, creator of the Chaos Theory of Careers, talks about the ramifications of following your passion. Here is his article on the 12 things to consider when weighing up career options.

Melbourne, oh Melbourne

Studying and working in Melbourne is an expensive pursuit. We know house prices are out of control, rents are rising, and inflation is squeezing us all at every level. Over the last few years, I have heard more and more students not choosing teaching, nursing, social work and community services, due to the lower salaries. In short, and I can fully empathise with this, these salaries will not be able to sustain mortgages in one of the world’s most expensive cities. To be honest, there are not many professions nowadays that will. This is a very real concern for a lot of our young people. And I appreciate where they are coming from, as I am stunned each week with my growing grocery bill. But we have to remember that what we study can stay with us for a long time into the future (particularly if we are professionally bound and it provides accreditation to a profession). Our jobs may move us around. Job mobility is high. People transfer, travel and globe trot. There are other cities in Australia, not to mention international opportunities. Keeping a wider lens can help when we consider the longer game.

Use your personality

Our personalities tend to remain a constant over time. Yes, people can change, and I have no doubt that everyone leaving their school gates is going to grow immeasurably. But our personalities – our core – tend to remain the same. The extroverts at school tend to be extroverts as adults. Those really organised students. tend to make organised adults. The same for those that are funny, kind, bossy, empathetic, talkative, musical, creative, whingey…those traits tend to stay with us throughout our lifetime. How can we harness those traits – the positive ones – to aid our career? For me, when I was at school, I liked connecting and talking with others. And I liked being organised. I now use these traits every day in my job. Reflect on your own personality and think how can you use them to your advantage?

If school wasn’t for you…

What if you found school a bit confusing, a bit annoying, a bit tiring or a bit stressful? What if you felt like you didn’t really excel at anything or you never found your great strengths – like some of your friends did? You are not alone. Or what if you are the 20% of people that are neurodivergent and you felt that your learning profile did not blend well with the school system? School is not for everyone. But more so, the school system tends to test and appraise only a certain skillset. Your VCE and your ATAR only measures a small set of future skills you are going to use in your job, a very small set. Not to mention the fact that the VCE and ATAR are a measure at a point in time, they are not a future prediction. I know lots of people who got ATAR’s in the high 90’s who are not in particularly enjoying or fulfilling careers. And I know people in the exact opposite situation too, people who didn’t do very well at school who are now thriving in their careers. So, it’s worth keeping it all in perspective.

Exams at the end of school in a lot of countries, do not measure abilities such as people skills, being a good team-player, being co-operative, being entrepreneurial, energetic, positive, and so on. This is important. If you felt school was a place where you did not excel or find what you were good at – there is a whole testing ground out there waiting for you. When future-You finds those great skills – and you will – use them to make strides in your career and use them in industries that really value them.

Keep on learning

Sue Ellson, careers development practitioner and careers expert, cites the most important thing you can do for your career is to ‘keep on learning’. I think no matter which direction your path takes, we can all learn from every success, failure, venture or new opportunity. We know that Artificial Intelligence is here to stay with unknowing possibilities. In a post-Covid world, the nature of employment has also changed. Workers need to stay fresh, current and up to date with our changing environments. Learning new skills and knowledge has never been so easy. It can also be a great way to test an industry or academic area, without having to sign up for a whole degree. This is why sometimes doing a Diploma to test out a Bachelor degree, can pay dividends. Micro credentialing can be cheap and accessible. Not to mention the knock-on effect this has on recruitment software which can now bring the job opportunity directly to the candidate.

So, as we farewell the Class of 2023, and watch them head out of the school gates – we wish them all the best. Good luck. Have fun. Learn lots. Make lots of mistakes, learn from them, change directions often, meet a tonne of new people, have some adventures and enjoy all that is ahead.

7 productivity hacks for high school students

If you’re fed up with late-night study sessions, feeling overwhelmed by school work or exam prep, and drowning in textbooks, perhaps it’s time for some new strategies. By working smarter, not harder, you could boost your productivity, retain information better, and reduce the stress that often accompanies high school life. Here are seven productivity hacks for high school students to help you maintain a balanced lifestyle:

Prioritise your tasks

Begin by identifying your most important and urgent tasks. You could try using the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorises tasks based on urgency and importance. Focus on the tasks in the “Important and Urgent” quadrant first to help manage your time best and maximise your productivity.

Create a study plan

Establish a study routine that suits your personal preferences and commitments. For example, do you study better in the morning or at night? Do you have extracurricular or work commitments? Block those times out of your schedule. Then allocate specific time slots for each subject or topic, ensuring a balanced workload. Stick to your schedule to develop consistency in your study habits.

Break tasks into smaller chunks

Tackling a massive assignment or a lengthy reading list can feel daunting. If you start by finding a way to break all your tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks it will seem much more achievable and give you focus. Completing bite-sized portions could also give you a sense of accomplishment and make the workload feel less overwhelming.

Eliminate distractions

Identify your most common distractions and take steps to minimise them. Put away your phone, use website blockers if needed, and create a dedicated study space that is free from interruptions. If you can’t set something up at home, try and find a space at school, the local library, or other community space.

Embrace study techniques

Finding an established study technique that suits you and the way you work could help you to stay on track and be more productive, without reinventing the wheel yourself.

Here are some techniques you might like to try:

Use technology wisely

There are dozens of apps and tools available to enhance your study experience. Some of them are free while others you might have to pay for, but if you can’t afford a specific tool you could also look for alternatives.

Tools like note-taking apps, task managers, and calendar apps can help you stay organised and on track. Why not have a look at the educational apps and online resources that could you to reinforce your learning, be productive, or stay on track? You could ask your friends, family, or teachers what they use if you’re not sure where to start.

Review and reflect

After each study session, take a few minutes to go over what you’ve learned. Ask yourself questions and think about the key takeaways. This active recall technique could help reinforce your memory and comprehension.

Remember, productivity isn’t about studying longer hours; it’s about studying efficiently and effectively. By incorporating the hacks that work for you into your routine, you could improve your study habits, reduce stress, and achieve better academic results. So, go ahead and start studying smarter, not harder, and see if it makes a difference.

You can find productivity hacks and study tips for high school students on our website here.

What could I do for work on my Gap Year?

This guest article was written by Letz Live.

A Gap Year is a year in between school, study, or work where you have the opportunity to do something different. Sometimes people work, or they may use the whole year to travel and volunteer. Many people take a Gap Year if they need a break before starting further study, or if they are a bit unsure about what they want to do when leaving school.

There are so many benefits to taking a Gap Year. In a survey conducted by the Gap Year Association in 2020, they found that around 80% of people who took a Gap Year improved their self-confidence and maturity, and it helped them to interact with people from other cultures and backgrounds.

Grace from WA took her gap year in the UK and says this:

“Looking back, I find it impossible to choose a particular moment of my Gap Year that has been the best. I am so grateful for every second of this year. From the mind-blowing moments (jet skiing with 6 of my friends around Hvar in Croatia) to the not-so-great moments (freezing afternoons at work teaching in the rain). At the end of the day, all your experiences, good and bad, will blur together. You will then be left with the most amazing stories that even people 5 times your age may not have.”

Working while on your Gap Year is a great way to add some new skills to your portfolio, and earn some money so you can make the most of your time overseas. You’ll also make a heap of new friends and learn to live independently.

In this blog, we talk about some of the most common jobs for those thinking about taking a Gap Year abroad.

Work at an activity camp

In places like the UK, summer camps are huge! They offer a whole range of activities, from canoeing to high ropes courses, archery, paddle boarding, and more. School-aged students will come and stay, either as part of a school camp, or during their holidays as part of a summer camp programme.

These activity centres are looking for enthusiastic staff who are excited to work with kids outdoors. It’s a fun and rewarding job where no two days are the same.

You’ll live on-site with other staff, which is the best way to make new friends from all over the world. Like most jobs, you will generally have two days off a week and be able to take holidays so you can travel either within the country you work or abroad.

What you’ll get: roles include accommodation and food, usually with a small payment deducted from your weekly salary.

What you’ll need: depending on the location, you will need to check your eligibility for a working visa. Most countries employing staff to work with school-aged children will also need you to complete a police/background check (similar to getting a working with children check in Australia).

Work in a school

A classic Gap Year job is working as an assistant in a boarding school. These live-in positions are a great way to live in another country. You’ll have support from staff and usually be placed with other Gap Assistants.

Essentially, you’ll be like an older sibling to the school-aged children. Duties may include supporting and supervising students before and after school, helping with school trips or town visits, supporting teachers with classroom or sports tasks, and anything else that may be required.

Working in a school means you also get the school holidays off to explore and travel. If working in the UK, for example, this equates to about 10-12 weeks of holidays, at least 6 weeks over summer. You could be sailing in Croatia, on a sun lounger in Greece, or cooling down with a gelato in Italy.

What you’ll get: food and accommodation, weekly salary, and any required training.

What you’ll need: depending on the location you will need to check your eligibility for a working visa. Most countries employing staff to work with school-aged children will also need you to complete a police/background check (similar to getting a working with children check in Australia). You’ll also need references from three adults (these can be teachers/employers).

Work in a hospitality venue

If you have experience working in a restaurant, cafe, bar, or similar, you’ll be pleased to know there are many opportunities overseas. Many hospitality venues, large hotels, and clubs offer live-in positions, which can be an ideal way to get set up when you first arrive.

A live-in job means you don’t need to find nearby accommodation when you arrive – all you have to do is turn up, get unpacked, and get ready to start working.

What you’ll get: a live-in hospitality job and (usually) discounted meals.

What you’ll need: depending on the location, you’ll need to check eligibility for a working visa.

How can I get going?

Letz Live is one of Australia’s leading Gap Year programme providers. They send hundreds of Australian school leavers overseas on Gap Years and Working Holidays every year.

The first thing to do is decide where you want to go and see what positions are on offer. You can find out about locations, programmes and application closing dates on their website.

You need to apply for your gap year about 12-18 months before you’d like to go. This way you have enough time for your interview, to accept your placement, apply for a visa, and arrange flights.

So if taking a Gap Year is something you’ve been thinking about, we recommend you start your planning as soon as you can.

Head to www.letzlive.org to find out more.

Interested in seeing what this year’s Gap year participants have been up to? Visit the Letz Live Instagram @letz_live.

Thanks to Letz Live for providing this guest article for us. You can read more blogs about Gap Years on Study Work Grow here, or check out this year’s edition of the Gap Year Guide.

CSIRO Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy

Applications are now open for the next intake of students to join the world-first Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (the Academy), which is co-managed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.

The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy will increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females undertaking studies and careers in STEM. The Academy does this through targeted, long-term support to help overcome the barriers that discourage Indigenous women from pursuing STEM careers.

Young Indigenous women are invited to apply for this unique program, which is designed to provide each student with individualised support from their dedicated Academic Coordinator.

It is long term support from Year 8 through to tertiary studies and into STEM careers.

It offers a catalogue of STEM camps, extension activities, networking with industry, and academic professionals, as well as a safe space for exploration of their own cultural journey.

Find out more and apply here.