Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

Covid-19 has certainly impacted on the availability of local jobs. Many of our students have either lost their jobs or had their hours significantly cut. This is what is happening in our families too – times are tough – it is good for us to remember it is a moment in time and will pass. When looking at the situation in the USA, I am sure many of you are thinking how fortunate we live in Australia and had difficult measures implemented; even though times are challenging for many.

A Pandemic is a Terrible Thing to Waste

You may be already complaining about the “interruption” of the coronavirus. Life is on hold. Classes have gone virtual and it's not how you like to learn. It feels like society is not making progress. But really — this is totally up to us. Not wanting to sound flippant during this pandemic but if you handle this interruption well, you might be surprised at what can be accomplished that would have never happened in your normal and busy routines.

Did you know that Isaac Newton was a college student during the Great Plague of London in 1665? Although it would take another 200 years for doctors to understand what caused the sickness, they had enough sense to send students home to practice social-distancing - this isn't new! And that’s when the magic happened. Sir Isaac Newton used his time wisely and we now reap the benefits of his good use of time ... even down to the apple falling out of the tree. Read the Growing Leaders article about how Newton used his time in social isolation wisely.

SMCC Interactive Careers Website

SMCC now has its own Careers Website – there is a Careers App on the school portal to access the site (www.smcccareers.com.au). Firstly students need to register - to do this they visit the page and click on For Students (Top right hand side of page) – under this they click on Student’s secure area –on this page they can either LOG IN if already registered -or click the RED BUTTON that says REGISTER HERE. Students are required to use their SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS when creating this account. Almost all our Year 10s have accessed the site but not so many other grades. We will try and address this through SEL lessons throughout the year. There are quizzes, bullseye posters, resume creator and much more for students and families. Pop onto the site and have a look.

When trying to find a job – the process is still basically the same – very few jobs are advertised, most people get jobs from “cold calling”. Students are encouraged to update their resumes and work on their cover letters at this time. See the information below:

Five steps to employment

The following steps are adapted from How to Find Work – In the 21st Century. They were written for university graduates, but could be helpful for graduating Year 12 students.

Review your online presence - Most employers check out applicants on social media sites. What they find out about you will either increase your chances or eliminate you. They say that over 30% of the applicants are rejected because of what was found out about them through online postings.
Don’t rely on advertised positions - One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is to focus on advertised positions. The clear majority of employment opportunities today are never advertised and learning how to find them is a process that involves several skills, including developing your social networks and letting them know you are looking for a job.
Focus on small companies - Most employment opportunities are to be found in small companies, which include self-employed people who have more work than they can handle. Increase your chances of being hired by emphasising that you’re open to part-time, temporary, and contract work.
Learn how to sell yourself - Many job seekers are very uncomfortable with this area but it’s a skill you must develop. The good news is anyone can learn how to do it. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how effectively you can sell yourself once you understand what you can offer an employer.
Create a LinkedIn Account - Learn as much as you can about LinkedIn before you start. Spend as much time on your LinkedIn account as you would on your resume. Make sure the information is consistent. Keep your account up to date as you gain more experience and new skills.

Jobs Hub - for those looking for a job in these times

The Federal Government has created a Jobs Hub to help connect Australians with new employment opportunities. While many businesses have been adversely affected by COVID-19, there are some areas of the economy which have an increased demand for workers. This includes jobs in health and care sectors, transport and logistics, some areas of retail, mining and mining services, manufacturing, agriculture and government sectors. The Jobs Hub helps you find these advertised vacancies.

SAT (School-based apprentice & traineeship) information websites

Queensland Training Information Services (QTIS) http://qtis.training.qld.gov.au/

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Ph 1800 210 210

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/apprentices/sats

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways https://www.aapathways.com.au/

All the above sites provide current and accurate information on apprenticeships and traineeships

SAT (School-based apprentice & traineeship) information websites

Queensland Training Information Services (QTIS) http://qtis.training.qld.gov.au/

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training Ph 1800 210 210

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/apprentices/sats

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways https://www.aapathways.com.au/

All the above sites provide current and accurate information on apprenticeships and traineeship

Where do Year 12 currently stand regarding ATAR?

On 7 April, 2020 the Federal Education Minister, Dan Tehan, announced Year 12 students will still receive an ATAR rank this year. Universities Australia is working with governments and schools to ensure Year 12's have clear pathways into tertiary education for 2021. Universities may consider extracurricular achievements and Year 11 work, and where appropriate, use aptitude tests. Click here to read the media release.

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority has posted updates for parents and students. They report that to promote equitable outcomes, National Education Council agreed to these national principles:

Students will be able to achieve a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education this year, and that certificate will facilitate access to university, further education and employment.
In consideration of the current situation, any revisions to school assessment programs must be made with students’ best interests in mind and to honour the intent of the learning described in the curriculum.
Equity in assessment must be maintained while also providing schools with flexibility to accommodate their unique circumstances, including the specific needs of individual students.
Revisions to assessment programs must not compromise the integrity of senior certification and public confidence in the credentials issued to this year’s senior students.

So, don't panic and stay positive!

Apprenticeship Support Australia

Apprenticeship Support Australia services are focused on lifting apprenticeship commencement and completion rates by providing support at every stage of the employment cycle. Job seekers, school students and apprentices can all receive ongoing support including career advice, job matching, and ongoing mentoring. Visit the Apprenticeship Support Australia website and clicking on ‘Apprentices’ you will find information about apprenticeship wages, get free career advice, qualifications, apprenticeships that might suite you, school-based apprenticeships, how to get started, where you will study, advice and support and more. On the site, you can also schedule a free career consultation with a career adviser.

The website contains specific information for parents regarding:

You can also access Apprenticeship Support Australia information specific to Queensland.

Aviation Australia

Aviation Australia provides world class aviation training that has created partnerships with over 150 industry organisations including airlines, aerospace companies, governments defence force and regulatory authorities. It is now offering the School to Work pathway 2020 VETiS two year - MEA20515 Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance for Year 11 students. Click here to read the brochure, visit their website or see your Career or VET Coordinator. Due to the COVID-19 impact it would be best to contact Aviation Australia regarding this year's program delivery.

Group Training Organisations

Registering with a Group Training Organisation (GTO) is one strategy to try when looking for an apprenticeship. GTOs employ apprentices and trainees and place them with a host employer until the apprenticeship or traineeship has been completed. Click here for more information about GTOs and their role in the VET sector. Visit the National Employment Network site to find a GTO near you.

Explore Australia for jobs

On Job Outlook you can Explore Australia and discover how jobs in demand are changing in your local area. When thinking about career options, also consider your own skills, interests and priorities, and remember that employer needs can change quickly. How to get started:

Choose how to explore – by state, region or electorate
Select a location – using the map or list provided (this may take a few seconds to appear)
Learn about the people – age profile, number employed and unemployment rate
Learn about the jobs – largest employing and growing, the skills local employers ask for, industries expected to grow

This tool is a BETA release and works best on a desktop computer.

Go online for your career

In the article Go online for your career author Professor Tristram Hooley writes that there is so much going on while you’re at school that it can be difficult to remember that this won’t last forever. One day, not too far in the future, you’ll leave school and head off to study somewhere else or start work. Career isn’t just about where you’re going to work. Of course, work is important, but you also want to think about how you’re going to spend the rest of your time on your family, your hobby, changing the world or just hanging out.

All of these are career decisions. It’s important to plan, explore and think about your career as soon as possible. In fact, your career has already started, because you’ve made all sorts of choices to end up where you are now. But, the next phase of your career is going to require even more thought and so, it’s important that you do some research and find out what is possible. Click here to finish reading the article and:

If in doubt, Google it ...
Beware of fake news
How to be a smart online careerist

Job Jump Start website – Ways to explore careers and prepare for work!

The Australian Government, Department of Jobs and Small Business manage Job Jump Start, which provides tips and ideas about jobs and careers. You can start your search from a range of platforms including:

I’m at school
I’m on a Gap Year
I’m at Uni or in Training
I’ve just graduated from Uni or a training course
I’m looking for a job
I’m already working

The website contains a range of useful articles under the categories of:

Looking for a job – Resume, Cover Letter and Interview Tips
Building a career – Choosing the right field of work or study
At work – Connecting with employers

One of the articles highlights how to make a great first impression on employers. According to the article the Department of Employment regularly surveys Australian employers. They ask them what young job seekers can do to make a good impression at interview.

Employers said that they are impressed by job seekers who:

are punctual
dress appropriately
offer a firm handshake
smile and are friendly
make eye contact
have good posture (it makes you appear more confident)
are well presented

As well as this, consider the following ways to show an employer you really want to work with them:

Be your best self. Employers will use a range of information to form an impression of you. They will look at your social media profile, observe your conversations with other people and your personal presentation. They will be looking for an indication of your personality, abilities and your values, such as respect for others and yourself, reliability and trustworthiness.
Show them you understand their business. Doing some homework on employers so you understand their business challenges and priorities will help you explain what you can offer them.
Ask interesting questions. If you have a genuine interest in a specific brand, business or industry then demonstrate this to the employer by asking questions about the company’s business strategy, products and services or upcoming projects. Ask employers questions they want to answer. They’ll remember you for it.

For more information on what employers look for in young workers, see the fact sheet 'Looking for a Job Employer Advice for Young People' on the Labour Market Information Portal.

Making better career decisions

myfuture has a resource called ‘The Adventures of You’ executive function guide. Executive functions are the mental skills needed to make decisions, including career and course decisions. These include planning, reasoning, prioritising, problem solving, task flexibility, execution and monitoring actions. The Adventures of You site includes three animated videos that will help you understand these skills.

Skillsroad – a career exploration website

Skillsroad has many activities that can help you get started on your career exploration. They include:

Career quiz – learn more about yourself, your strengths and talents and the jobs you might be attracted to
Job fit Test – are you job ready? Get an idea by doing this test
Explore careers – comprehensive information on over 350 jobs
Industry videos – listen to the stories of people already on the job
No Experience No Worries – No matter where you are at in your career journey you will have at the ready information to help you sort through your options.

The site also provides information on job seeking skills such as finding a job, preparing for interviews, resume builder and a jobs board. A Work Readiness course can be accessed for a fee from the site.

Skillsroad – a career exploration website

Skillsroad has many activities that can help you get started on your career exploration. They include:

Career quiz – learn more about yourself, your strengths and talents and the jobs you might be attracted to
Job fit Test – are you job ready? Get an idea by doing this test
Explore careers – comprehensive information on over 350 jobs
Industry videos – listen to the stories of people already on the job
No Experience No Worries – No matter where you are at in your career journey you will have at the ready information to help you sort through your options.

The site also provides information on job seeking skills such as finding a job, preparing for interviews, resume builder and a jobs board. A Work Readiness course can be accessed for a fee from the site.

VET in schools prepares students for the future

If you are thinking whether to take on a VET course and/or School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship during Senior, you should read on. Secondary school students who undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are among the most likely to be in full-time permanent employment five years later, according to a new report released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The report VET for secondary school students (VfSSS): post-school employment and training destinations also shows they were more likely to be employed in an occupation relevant to their VfSSS course than students who did not undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship as part of school studies. A VET pathway isn't for everyone but should be investigated so you make a decision based on facts and not assumptions. Click here to read more.

What is a 'protean' career?

Adopting a protean state of mind, according to modern career theorists, could help guide career management efforts in such uncertain times. Coined by Douglas T. Hall, a protean career is one where you drive your own career based on your values, and where success is based on how satisfied you feel with life and work, not necessarily how much money or power or fame you obtain. Research reveals two specific competencies that help individuals to be more protean: adaptability and self-awareness. Click here to read the full article by Tomoko Yokoi and see how self-aware and adaptable you may be.

Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA) Short Film Competition

Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA) is a short film competition for aspiring filmmakers from Years 11 and 12 across Australia. There are six categories in the competition – Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental Film and Music Video. Entries open on 1 May 2020 and close on 18 September 2020. Visit the BUFTA website for competition details and to view the 2019 BUFTA Gala Awards Ceremony.

JMC The Canvas Award 2020

Are you a high school designer who is comfortable with drawing, painting or using digital mediums to convey your concept? The inaugural Canvas Award is dedicated to showcasing the talent of aspiring young designers and their versatility in different mediums, either traditional, digital or both! JMC invite high school students to submit their design for the Canvas Award to win a prize for you and your school! Entries close 5 July 2020 and click here for more information.

RealWorld Studio Competition

The RealWorld Studio competition is designed for Queensland high school students to create, communicate and design an entry that will change your world. This competition allows teams of high school students to work together on designing and producing a creative entry. School teams will be supported by QUT Student Ambassadors with creative workshops, so you can pitch your best ideas. Entries may be a combination of any creative work such as a music video, dance performance, fashion collection, poetry reading, design model or a short film. Entries open 1 June and close 28 August. Prizes of up to $3,000 are on offer, including QUT Creative Industries Enrolment Bursaries. It is free to register. Email catherine.howieson@qut.edu.au.

Best jobs for animal lovers

Thinking about working with animals and think that a job where you get to hang out with all sorts of fur balls would be heaven! There are all kinds of purrrfect opportunities out there if you’re looking for a career that involves working with animals – from veterinarians to marine biologists. If you’re an animal lover, read a list of top jobs including veterinarian, animal carer or trainer, marine biologist and farmers and shearers.

The Information Media and Telecommunications industry

This small industry covers newspapers, books, software and online media, as well as radio and TV broadcasting, internet publishing and broadcasting, internet service providers, telecommunication services and libraries. Many jobs are located in New South Wales. Nearly half of the workers have a university degree, and a third have a VET qualification. Click here to see jobs in this industry.

The Information Media and Telecommunications industry

This small industry covers newspapers, books, software and online media, as well as radio and TV broadcasting, internet publishing and broadcasting, internet service providers, telecommunication services and libraries. Many jobs are located in New South Wales. Nearly half of the workers have a university degree, and a third have a VET qualification. Click here to see jobs in this industry.

2019 - 2020 National overview of skills needs

The National Industry Insights Report has just published the latest skills forecasts and trends. The Overview provides analysis of industry skills needs and the factors and trends affecting the demand for skills at a national and cross-industry level. The National Skills Overview consists of four key sections which are detailed below:

Insights and highlights - Summarises skills prioritised by industry, factors and trends affecting skills demand, and key initiatives addressing skills needs.
Factors and trends - Considers some of the trends and factors which influence and drive the demand for skills.
Priority skills - Examines skills prioritised by industry in their Industry Reference Committee (IRC) 2019 Skills Forecasts.
Key initiatives - Links for information on training package development activities and initiatives of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) and its network of Industry Reference Committees (IRCs).

Five reasons why skills shortages occur

It's wise to do some research on your job prospects before you start a long journey of study and training. Doing so could improve your chances of landing a job at the end of it all. One place to start is to have a look at skill shortages in your chosen field. Knowing what skills are in demand may help you to make better career decisions. However, you wouldn’t want to choose an occupation based on this knowledge alone. The factors affecting skill shortages now may not be relevant in a few years' time. Click here to read more about:

What is a skill shortage?
What causes skill shortages?
What are the current skill shortages?

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Five reasons why skills shortages occur

It's wise to do some research on your job prospects before you start a long journey of study and training. Doing so could improve your chances of landing a job at the end of it all. One place to start is to have a look at skill shortages in your chosen field. Knowing what skills are in demand may help you to make better career decisions. However, you wouldn’t want to choose an occupation based on this knowledge alone. The factors affecting skill shortages now may not be relevant in a few years' time. Click here to read more about:

What is a skill shortage?
What causes skill shortages?
What are the current skill shortages?

Bursaries for female students

The National Council of Women of Queensland has launched its 2020 bursary program for female students. Visit the website for more information and to download the application form. Applications close on 1 June, 2020.

John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship at Bond University

As the official Education Partner of the Qantas Wallabies, Bond University has joined forces with the former Wallabies Captain, John Eales AM, to present this prestigious sporting scholarship which provides an opportunity for an outstanding young rugby union star to be mentored both on and off the field. Applications will open on 1 May 2020 and close on 6 September 2020. Visit the website for more information.

John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship at Bond University

As the official Education Partner of the Qantas Wallabies, Bond University has joined forces with the former Wallabies Captain, John Eales AM, to present this prestigious sporting scholarship which provides an opportunity for an outstanding young rugby union star to be mentored both on and off the field. Applications will open on 1 May 2020 and close on 6 September 2020. Visit the website for more information.

Taking a Gap Year: The Pros and Cons

An article published on the Good Universities Guide website highlights all people are different. You may want to jump straight into tertiary study after finishing high school, or you might want to start working immediately. Perhaps you want to travel or maybe you have no idea what you are going to do. Taking a gap year can be a fantastic option but there is no denying that it comes with a unique set of pros and cons. They had looked at the best and worst aspects of spending a year away from the books. Their article discusses the Pros and Cons of taking a Gap Year which include:

Pros: Gain experience, Revitalise, Make new friends

Cons: Getting side-tracked, Financial Strain, Wasted time

Visit their webpage to read the full article and access links to more information that you may wish to consider if a Gap Year is what you are considering.

Remembering that with impact of Covid-19 the job market will be somewhat contracted and thus possibly less opportunity for entry level jobs. Heading to TAFE, University or another training provider may give a good chance to skill up and increase your employment prospects for the future.

Preparation workshops for SAT – USA university entry test

Integrity Tutoring specialises in preparation workshops for students interested in sitting for the tests required for entry to university courses in the United States. Find out more on the Integrity website.

Study & Play USA opportunities

Are you competitive in rowing, rugby, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, water polo, track and field, swimming, baseball, softball and want to study in USA? Study & Play USA can provide information on:

Academic assessment
The process
Personalised advice & planning
Scholarships
Frequently asked questions

Click here do a free assessment, to book a meeting or for more information.

Study & Play USA opportunities

Are you competitive in rowing, rugby, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, water polo, track and field, swimming, baseball, softball and want to study in USA? Study & Play USA can provide information on:

Academic assessment
The process
Personalised advice & planning
Scholarships
Frequently asked questions

Click here do a free assessment, to book a meeting or for more information.

Study Habits for success: tips for students

Managing your study either at school or while at home is the key to stress free, well managed, balanced and successful life while completing your school and life commitments. Some suggestions put together by The Conversation, that you should find helpful are:

Focus! And don’t multi-task – you should direct your attention to just one or two tasks at a time.
Sleep well, learn well – Get a good night’s sleep to feel fresh and attentive the next day.
Test yourself – you learn much better when you test your own knowledge
Space out (your learning) – Space your learning over days, weeks and months.
Use memory aids – Linking information to another experience in any way helps you recall information

To see more ideas and a detailed explanation of each point, go to their website.

The top 4 ways to stop stressing and actually start studying

This article from the Foundation for Young Australians website starts with the following question:

Question 1. So, it’s exam period, what do you do?

Freak out
Pull your notes together from the year and cram
Forget to sleep
All of the above.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will probably find the tips in this article useful.

More sleep, less screen time and more studying - The average Australian teenager spends 9 hours a day surrounded by media and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter top the list. Often this gets in the way of our studies, regardless of it being the night before a test or exam! The best way to achieve good results during our exam period is balancing out our studying and relaxing with sleep, to refresh our minds and bodies for the strenuous day ahead.

Take a break - Late night attempts to try and finish your essay that is due tomorrow, or in this case, last second revision for exams, is hardly healthy. But we’ve all been there. Instead of leaving it to the last minute and becoming scattered the following day, maybe make a timetable for your study and take regular breaks every few hours to keep you focused and still engaged on the task at hand.

Don’t cram! - It’s understandable that going out with friends is way more fun than studying. Maybe a sleepover or an invite to a trendy hangout space after school will come up when you’re supposed to be working. Now, whilst it doesn’t hurt to take a break, the excuses “I’ll do it later” or “I’ll just read over my notes the night before the exam” do not work! To be able to obtain information, the brain needs continuous exposure to a fact or figure. This pretty much rules out pre-exam cramming leading to good results. Instead, during the lead up to exams spread out your studying by making a timetable to ensure everything is covered. A+ all around!

Personalise your study - Everyone learns differently. Whether it be visually or hands on, there is a method for everybody. Find a way that suits you! Perhaps you could put your notes into cue card form and get a family member to test you, or make a flowchart or a diagram of all of the concepts you need to remember and picture it in your mind when you are testing the theory. There is no limitation when it comes to how you learn.

Okay, you have the strategies, get to it!

The top 4 ways to stop stressing and actually start studying

This article from the Foundation for Young Australians website starts with the following question:

Question 1. So, it’s exam period, what do you do?

Freak out
Pull your notes together from the year and cram
Forget to sleep
All of the above.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you will probably find the tips in this article useful.

More sleep, less screen time and more studying - The average Australian teenager spends 9 hours a day surrounded by media and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter top the list. Often this gets in the way of our studies, regardless of it being the night before a test or exam! The best way to achieve good results during our exam period is balancing out our studying and relaxing with sleep, to refresh our minds and bodies for the strenuous day ahead.

Take a break - Late night attempts to try and finish your essay that is due tomorrow, or in this case, last second revision for exams, is hardly healthy. But we’ve all been there. Instead of leaving it to the last minute and becoming scattered the following day, maybe make a timetable for your study and take regular breaks every few hours to keep you focused and still engaged on the task at hand.

Don’t cram! - It’s understandable that going out with friends is way more fun than studying. Maybe a sleepover or an invite to a trendy hangout space after school will come up when you’re supposed to be working. Now, whilst it doesn’t hurt to take a break, the excuses “I’ll do it later” or “I’ll just read over my notes the night before the exam” do not work! To be able to obtain information, the brain needs continuous exposure to a fact or figure. This pretty much rules out pre-exam cramming leading to good results. Instead, during the lead up to exams spread out your studying by making a timetable to ensure everything is covered. A+ all around!

Personalise your study - Everyone learns differently. Whether it be visually or hands on, there is a method for everybody. Find a way that suits you! Perhaps you could put your notes into cue card form and get a family member to test you, or make a flowchart or a diagram of all of the concepts you need to remember and picture it in your mind when you are testing the theory. There is no limitation when it comes to how you learn.

Okay, you have the strategies, get to it!

Clubs & Activities