St Mary's College Connect

Careers News

Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Year 10s are going out on Work Experience in Week 10, 28th March – 1st April. Cairns employers have been welcoming of our students and are keen to be involved in the program.  We are appreciative of SMCC families who have been able to take our students for the week so they can experience an industry of interest.  Year 10s will receive their insurance paperwork on Tuesday 15 March during SEL. Signed forms need to be returned to the school the following week. 

 

Our Year 12s will be applying for jobs and entrance into universities and other training providers this year. One source of information is QTAC.  QTAC have a new information site providing information from secondary to tertiary study. Students are encouraged to visit the site: www.qtac.edu.au/qtac-passport .  Year 12s will be receiving frequent emails re options for next year and they are encouraged to check these and skim through to see if there are areas of interest.

 

School Leavers' Support for 15 to 24 year olds

 

Not sure what you want to do when you leave school and would like to talk with a career person? If you are between the age of 15-24 you are eligible for a free one-on-one, 45-minute career guidance session with a qualified career practitioner through the School Leavers Information Service. You can discuss any questions you may have and plan your next steps around study, upskilling or entering the workforce after school. To find out more visit yourcareer.gov.au/schoolleaver, call 1800 227 337 and/or SMS SLIS2022 to 0429 009 435.

 

Talking careers with your child

 

Making career decisions today is increasingly complex with more occupations to choose from. What makes this even more challenging how work in the future will be different. University of Sunshine Coast's Professor Maria Raciti’s research on career clustering is one way that you can help your child make an informed decision. She says that career clustering is one way that you can help your child make an informed decision. She recommends the Foundation of Young Australians' (FYA) New Work Mindset report that used big data to reveal seven job clusters to help young people and their parents, navigate their career decisions. Click here to read Professor Raciti's full article.

 

 

Free app for apprenticeships and traineeships

 

AusAppPathways is a free app that helps students and jobseekers explore Australian Apprenticeship career pathway ideas on their smartphone or tablet. It is available through App Store and Google Play. You can filter by State and Territory, get tips on how to find a job, explore information and resources to help find career ideas of interest and begin career discussions with family, friends and career advisors

 

Job Pathways Charts for VET pathways

 

The Australian Apprenticeships Pathways  webpage contains Job Pathways Charts which show the potential training pathways within specific industries. They can assist you when you are planning your training pathway as each chart also identifies the sub sections within each industry. Click here to read about 48 industry area training pathways' options. 

 

Literacy and numeracy quizzes for Apprentices and Trainees

 

Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website has literacy and numeracy quizzes for a range of careers. These general industry based quizzes indicate the levels required when undertaking Australian Apprenticeships qualifications. The quizzes give you an idea about the literacy and numeracy skills/ability you need for the jobs in the industries listed. Find sample quizzes for the following industry areas here:

  • Agriculture, Animals and conservation
  • Automotive, Transport and Maritime
  • Business and Financial Services
  • Construction and Electrical
  • Creative and Beauty
  • Digital, Technology and Telecommunications
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Food and Wine Processing
  • Health and Community Services
  • Resources, Mining and Processing
  • Retail, Hospitality and Recreation  
  • Manufacturing and Production
  • General or non-industry based 

 

Australian Defence Force Information Sessions

 

Stay informed about upcoming Queensland and National ADF events and information sessions by visiting the Defence Jobs website. View the specific events information links below for more details including location, times and to book your tickets. Further information about these events and Army Reserve Information Sessions can be accessed on the ADF Facebook site.

 

Think about joining the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)

 

The AAFC is an inclusive youth development organisation that focuses on developing youth to fulfill their potential by providing training and experiences that enables them to be better off because of their experiences with the AAFC. From this, the following specific aims have been developed:

  • To give cadets a foundation of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) knowledge and discipline
  • To develop qualities of leadership, self-reliance and initiative
  • To develop character and good citizenship in the widest sense
  • To develop an interest in the RAAF and aviation generally
  • To instill a knowledge of aviation history
  • To encourage cadets to continue an active interest in aviation into their adult life.

Click on the links below to find out more information about:

 

Thinking of applying to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

 

If you are in Year 11 and considering applying for a place at ADFA, you are encouraged to commence your application when you turn 16 years of age. To start your application, call 13 19 01 or apply online on the Defence Jobs website (click ‘Apply now’ on the very top right-hand corner of the home page). It is not too late for Year 12 students to apply but you need to start your application as soon as possible.

 

 

10 tips to help you build a successful creative career

 

Building a creative career is not a black and white option. It takes creative thinking and a lot of perseverance, determination and courage. But it is certainly doable if you draw on your creativity, talent, skills and passion. Pamela Ledley has a few tips to get you started. Click here to read about:

  • Where are you heading?
  • Inspiration 
  • Information  
  • What's in demand?  
  • You've gotta eat! 
  • Internships and volunteering  
  • Get some business skills – you'll need them!  
  • Hear from people who are working as creatives  
  • Unconventional and unafraid   
  • Be the one
  • Last words – be real

 

A different way to look at career progression

 

For years, career ladders have defined how people approach their progress in their chosen line of work. The concept proposes that you start your careers at the bottom and move upward, one rung at a time. Many organisations define the rungs with job titles and suggest time frames for advancing up the rungs. Changes in the labour market in the past several decades have upended the concept of career ladders for many workers. Among the main ones are that career-long employment with a single organisation is increasingly rare and careers last longer: 40, 50 years and more. The article Career Ladders Are Out and Career Frameworks Are In, published by CERIC details the new concept of Career frameworks as a way forward for future career progression. It is an interesting read that will challenge your career planning outlook.

 

Australian Government work experience opportunities

 

You can find information about Australian Government work experience opportunities online through websites like:

Do your own online search and see what work experience opportunities may be offered in your local area. Graduates can also look for opportunities to work within the Queensland Government through the Queensland Government Graduate Portal. 

 

Is there that perfect job out there?

 

“Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life” or ‘follow your passion’. Do these sound familiar? Identifying that 'perfect job' may even be impossible. When you are young and leaving school, you probably don't have a full understand of what the world of work and the work place is all about. You are more focused on your training and/or study options. Having a job that you engage in, use your skills and attributes and is in an organisation with shared values is a must, but it may not be your ‘passion’ job - and that's OK. Joanna Leggatt has written an article providing her insights into what the role of a job is in someone's life while meeting the personal needs for achieving a well balanced and happy life. She suggests that work should not be your life, but be an important part of your life. Click here to read her full article for another way of looking at the role of work in our lives.

 

Making myfuture work for you

 

Myfuture has put together some user guide videos so you can get the best results when using their excellent career investigation website. Watch their short user guide videos, which demonstrate how to use key sections of myfuture. Click here to access the user guide videos which cover:

 

Open Colleges career quiz - Personality test

 

The Open Colleges Career Quiz is designed to give you an understanding of your personality and the career areas that you would be best suited to. The quiz gives you suggestions for what career areas you might like. The Open Colleges Careers Advice site provides information on salary expectations, employment outlooks, typical hours, etc. Always remember that career quizzes are only a guide and won't give you a concrete answer as to what you should do, but they will give you some new career options to research.

 

Thinking about a STEM career but not sure what's out there?

 

The Careers with STEM hub includes a quarterly magazine, posters, videos, events, webinars, teacher PD, quizzes and website to help you discover the careers of the future. Each year they publish four magazines across each of the STEM disciplines plus special editions like Data Science and Cybersecurity. Visit their website for more information on:

  • What's trending in STEM
  • Latest Quizzes
  • Women in STEM
  • STEM education
  • Fun stuff
  • Latest videos

 

Year 10, Start thinking now about what's next!

 

Year 10 is when the pressure comes to start thinking about yourself as an individual and sort through your own thoughts and ideas for your future. Are you thinking, "I have no idea what I want to do! I haven’t yet found anything I am particularly good at". If this sounds familiar, or even if you think you know exactly what you want to do, stop and think about all the things out there, you don't know about. Smart Year 10 thinkers (and smart thinking has nothing to do with grades) will start to think about and research a lot of different career opportunities. When you start this thinking early in Year 10, you give yourself plenty of time to work out the things you do like and what subjects best suite your interests and skills. You will always get better grades when you are learning about something you are interested in. SO, be a smart thinker and start your thinking/research now. It will pay off come subject selection time!

 

Industry profile - Public administration and safety

 

The public administration (government) and safety industry looks after the needs of the Australian public and assists people to access government services. It also maintains public order and safety. The sector includes Commonwealth, state and territory and local government. Commonwealth Government agencies provide policy advice to the Australian Government on matters that affect the nation as a whole, such as foreign affairs, defence, trade, postal services, telecommunications, border protection and social services. State and territory governments are responsible for the administration of their public services including education, health, police, electricity and water supply, transport, main roads, ports and public housing. Click here to find out more about:

  • Industry highlights
  • employment opportunities and prospects
  • top 20 occupations in public administration and safety
  • Industry essentials

 

Looking for a casual job?

 

Employers use different ways to recruit staff. This means you may need to try a range of job search strategies in order to find a job. Not all jobs are advertised. The best place to look for jobs will depend on the type of role you are after. Do some research to understand how employers in your chosen field usually recruit. This will help you know where to look for job vacancies. Job Jumpstart has lists and discusses some of the most common ways employers recruit. Click here to find out more.

 

The changing world of work

 

Australian jobs are changing as new technologies are introduced, businesses find new ways of working and as we respond to challenges like the pandemic. This will lead to new jobs being created and new skills may be needed for existing jobs. How can you find your way in a changing world of work? When you’re thinking about work and study options, it can be helpful to understand the jobs available now and in the future, the skills needed for jobs that interest you, your interests and how you like to work.

More than one million Australians change jobs every year with half to a different industry or career. Click here to read more about jobs now and in the future, finding jobs that use your skills and finding work you enjoy.

Financial Assistance and Scholarship

 

Love to get a scholarship but don't know how to go about it?

 

So you are thinking about your chances of getting a scholarship. Leaving school provides you with many opportunities for getting a scholarship. Janet MacDonald (mycampusGPS) offers advice to help you take advantage of this golden opportunity to get free money for post-secondary study. Start now by reading about her ideas on how best to find a scholarship. DON"T leave it till the second half of Year 12 either!

 

Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)

 

Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) for regional or remote students

 

The tertiary access payment is an Australian Government initiative helping students with the cost of relocating to undertake tertiary studies. If you are from regional, remote or very remote areas you may be eligible for a payment of $3,000 to $5,000 to help with the costs of moving away from home. TAP can help pay for things like rent and bond for accommodation, household bills, groceries, textbooks or other study supplies. Applications are now open if you know anyone from last year's Year 12 who may benefit. Find out more on the Services Australia website  where you will find the eligibility criteria and program guidelines.

You can check if your family home is in a regional or remote area using the Student Regional Area Search. The Payment is a one off payment $3,000 - $5,000. It’s to help eligible students with the cost of moving to study. This is for study after you’ve finished Year 12 or equivalent. To get the payment you need to meet some rules. These include:

  • moving from a regional or remote area for tertiary study
  • starting tertiary study directly after finishing year 12 or equivalent with no gap year.

Clock here to find more information on:

  • Who can get it
  • How much can you get
  • How to claim
  • What you need to tell them
  • What other help is available

 

 

Assistance schemes

 

There are a number of schemes that can assist you gain adjustment factors that will see you more competitive in gaining a place in your desired course. These schemes include:

 

Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees – How are they different?

 

In Australia, we have a national system of qualifications called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). At the end of Year 12, you can apply for the following AQF qualifications which can differ in length, content, delivery and competitiveness as shown below:

  • Bachelor Degree: Usually 3-5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent); theoretical; competitive
  • Associate degree/Advanced diploma: Usually 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent); combination of theory and practice; range from not competitive to very competitive.
  • Diploma: Can be 1-2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent); tend to be practical with some theory; range from not competitive to very competitive depending on the topic.
  • Certificates I, II, III, IV: 1 month - 1 year full-time; usually very practical; usually not competitive.

You can use one level to help you gain entry to a higher level of study in the future depending on your results and the rules of the institution you want to gain entry to. Visit the AQF website for more information. To decide on the best level of qualification for you, consider:

  • The study/training requirements of the job you want
  • Your past study results
  • Whether you are a hands-on (practical) or a theory person
  • Your commitment to study
  • The cost of the course
  • The length of time you are prepared to study

 

Identifying your goals

 

Having some idea of how you are going to get to where you want to go is always challenging. Setting out goals can help you achieve what you want to do. Understanding the steps you need to take to meet these goals can help you reach them. Sometimes reaching your personal and career goals can feel near impossible. But don't give up! Try breaking your goals down into smaller steps. This can help make the process feel much more achievable. Job Jumpstart has some ideas on how to go about identifying and achieving your goals for success. 

 

Is mindfulness for you?

 

Senior school can be challenging and stressful and you need to get your heart and head in the ‘right place’ so that your journey will be as smooth and stress less as possible. Mindfulness may be of assistance as it simply means paying attention to the present moment. Practising mindfulness can help you to cope with everyday life and deal with tough times. This is confirmed by extensive research, which has found that mindfulness reduces stress and anxiety. It can also help you to concentrate, relax and be more productive. Reach Out has an article on mindfulness that will assist you to develop a mindfulness approach to life and study. It may be just what you are looking for to balance your personal, social, study and family commitments. The article includes:

  • How to practice mindfulness
  • What if I'm finding it hard?
  • Start with some everyday mindfulness

It is important to remember that if you are feeling very stressed, anxious or depressed you should talk with your Guidance Officer, School Counsellor, family and/or doctor. Everyone gets stressed so don't leave it too long to talk with someone.

 

Take care of yourself

 

Your brain and body are closely connected – looking after your body has great benefits for your mind. Activities like sport, dance, walking or yoga can increase your performance by increasing oxygen to your brain. It’s also great at reducing tension from stress and school pressure.

Some stress can be useful in keeping us motivated – without it we would find it hard to stay awake! However, during Year 12, and especially during exam time, you may find your stress levels rising high into the ‘critical zone’, causing a dramatic decline in performance. Proven strategies for beating stress include:

  • Relaxation: smartphone apps like Smiling Mind can help
  • Time management: try making a list of activities and prioritise
  • Connecting with others: talk about your worries, laugh, be positive!
  • Remember to be kind to yourself: take some time out to do the things you enjoy or help you maintain your wellbeing

Click here for more ideas on how to look after yourself remembering that if you are feeling very stressed, anxious or depressed you should talk with your Guidance Officer, School Counsellor, family and/or doctor.