Careers

VCE YEAR 12 reminders

VTAC applications close:                              5.00 pm Thursday 30th September 2021

SEAS/Scholarship applications close     12 noon Friday 8th October 2021

ATAR release                                                    7.00 am Thursday 16th December 2021

2022 Access Monash – E-Mentoring Program

The College in partnership with Monash University offers students several opportunities to connect and engage with University via the Access Monash Program.

The E-Mentoring program offers Year 11 and 12 students the chance to be paired with experienced and engaged Monash student mentors to work in a one-on-one mentoring relationship for the final two years of secondary school.   

Mentees receive individual support from their mentor who has walked a similar life path to them, in preparation for their future study and career. Through this, mentees are able to gain insight into university life. They learn from the experience of their mentors, participate in campus visits, and develop connections to university

Running across Terms 2 and 3 students meet online once per fortnight to discuss a range of topics along with gaining an insight into the courses offered at Monash and finding out what it’s like be a uni student. The support offered to senior students at this critical time in their education is invaluable. 

Applications for the 2022 program will open on Monday 6th September – further details will be posted when available. If you would like to know more, please contact Careers. 

Parents and carers play an important role in helping their children to make career choices. They are the greatest influence on their children’s careers choice. Making careers choices can be challenging. The 'world of work' is complex and careful investigation is needed so that careers can be properly planned. 

The workplace our students will enter may (will) be very different from where you as parents and carers started working.

Here are some strategies to help your teenagers with their career choices.

Remain positive

No matter how complex and confusing the changes in employment and training may seem, most school leavers now have access to a number of education and vocational pathway opportunities. 

Try to avoid the “What are you going to do/be when you leave school?” type questions. These questions are often very confronting. Instead take the opportunity to talk about career options whenever possible, for example when a news item appears on a current affairs program or when a University/TAFE Open Day is approaching.

Encourage your child to develop a positive self-esteem

Focus on their achievements – but not just at school. Acknowledge their efforts in all their activities – keeping their room tidy, participating in sport, community activities, setting goals and achieving them.

Show them you believe in them!

Allow for a change in direction

It is very unusual for a student to choose a career at a very early age and never waiver in their choice.  Be prepared for changes in direction and encourage your teenager to continue to explore a variety of options. 

Encourage them to learn from their mistakes

Even if you feel uncertain about their choice, remain positive as they make their first steps towards their career. Discovering that a previous careers interest is not for them is a positive step in the decision-making process and it gives them time to re-assess their interests and to broaden their options

Encourage them to find an industry contact

When a teenager begins to express and interest in a particular career if it is possible, help them to establish links with someone in that field. That person can then provide a direct first-hand information link with that occupation or industry. 

Networking

Students should be actively encouraged to develop an information network themselves. This network could well be friends, neighbours, part-time work employers, work experience employers or your family’s accountant/builder/mechanic/plumber (depending on their career interest) and other contacts made by the student. The network serves two purposes – it allows students to gain realistic insights into their chosen careers and it broadens their chances of finding jobs as many vacancies are only advertised by word-of-mouth. 

Share your experiences

Talk to you teenagers about your own experiences of work and study and your reasons for making career decisions. Discuss the problems you have faced and how you dealt with them. Speak openly of the positive and negative aspects of the jobs you have done. 

Respect their feelings and their privacy

Do they have someone special, perhaps not always you, to confide in? A relative, family or professional friend or someone who is interested in young people who can provide a sympathetic ear? Each student is special and needs someone to listen to their ideas, goals and aspirations. 

CICA – Careers Industry Council of Australia