Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

Term 3 is a very important and busy time of the year for Year 12 students. Year 12 students will need to decide what they are planning to do in 2021. So much has changed in the job market with Covid – not to mention the lack of travel opportunities. The holidays are a time for students to research their options.

The Year 12 2023 QTAC Guides have been distributed this week. This publication gives students a chance to have a look at Queensland University offerings and pre-requisites. It is a starting point and provides information on how to apply and then respond to offers. From reading this book, students are encouraged to look up their preferred courses through the University websites (and even on the QTAC website – www.qtac.edu.au). SMCC will be holding a QTAC information webinar + Questions and Answer session on 11th August 5.30 pm. Information on this will be sent out closer to the date.

There has been quite a bit of information going to our families about the various early entry schemes for universities (JCU, CQU, ACU, UNE (NSW)). Students need to research the various programs and follow the application requirements.

The Australian Government is looking at making significant changes to university fees – more will be coming out on this but for now have a look at the news.

Institution open days - Most of the university open days occur in Term three and this year will be delivered virtually. Open days provide an opportunity to learn more about the institutions and courses you are interested. Join the Virtual Open Days and be prepared with questions for the chat sessions. See open day dates on the QTAC website.

QTAC applications open - QTAC application for Semester One 2021 courses opens on 4th August 2020. Closing dates for some courses and some scholarship applications have various closing dates so check in your QTAC Guide on pages 26 and 27 to be sure you do not miss out. Find Information about the application process (P.14) and offer process (P. 20) in the guide and on the QTAC website.

Scholarships - Most university scholarship applications open in Term three and close in October, November or December. An exception is Bond University, which has its scholarship application open now and each scholarship can have a different closing date. It is best to check the closing date on the Bond website under each scholarship entry. Every university has a scholarship section on its website. Find out the application process and due date early to avoid missing out on a scholarship. If in doubt about your chances, apply anyway.

Year 10 Senior Education and Training Plans are progressing well. They will continue into next term. It is a good opportunity to look at potential pathways for senior studies and beyond. For more information on the SETP visit (aimed at students):

https://www.wethedifferents.qld.edu.au/what-is-a-set-plan-why-do-i-need-one/

Subject selections for Year 11 and 12 will be aimed to be finalised by early August.

Tertiary Prerequisites 2023 book for Year 10 students

QTAC have produced an e-Book of the 2023 Tertiary Prerequisites book for Year 10 students and it is now available on their website. Click here and scroll down to find the 2023 book. Each university and college also have listed the prerequisites required for entry to tertiary courses in the year the students commence their tertiary studies. You must check this book before you choose your senior subjects to make sure you meet any prerequisite subjects for the course/s you are interested in at the end of Year 12.

For families wanting to find out more about the VET pathways on offer through senior schooling please have a look at:

QCAA VET Information Brochure https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/publications/snr_new_assess_te_vet.pdf

VET. It’s Right Now. Videos, posters, stories

https://www.myskills.gov.au/career-info/advising-on-careers/vet-its-right-now

AATIS Schools Guide to Australian Apprenticeships

https://www.aapathways.com.au/insiders-advisers/career-advisers

DESBT School- Based Apprenticeship Information Sheet

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/7952/is26.pdf

Impact of Coronavirus on Apprentices and Trainees

The Mitchell Institute estimates new apprenticeships/traineeships will decline by 30% within two years. This equates to approximately 130,000 fewer new apprentices and trainees from the start of the pandemic to June 2023 but if this is your chosen pathway after school it means that you will need to do some productive networking through work experience and talking with everyone you know. Letting people know you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship is essential if you are going to get one. To read the report, click here remembering that things change quickly and the situation could change for the positive.

Vocational Education and Training tips for students

Prospective vocational education and training students should view themselves as consumers of training services … in other words … customers. Like any other significant purchase, you should do your research. The Queensland Government has a website that offers tips for training consumers which include:

Checking that the course you want to do meets your needs
Ensure that the course is nationally recognised and leads to a formal qualification (recognised by the Australian Qualifications framework)
Check your eligibility for government subsidised training
Shop around for a training provider that best suits your needs
Confirm your preferred training provider is a registered training provider
Be cautious about paying large sums of money up-front
Read the contract before signing

Visit their website to see more information about each of these tips.

Australian Defence Force information sessions

Attend a virtual Australian Defence Force information session and find out:

if the Defence Force is a good fit for you
if they have a job that you are interested in doing
how to enlist

Below are upcoming information sessions. For details about these events and information on the Army Reserve Information Sessions, visit the Defence Jobs Australia Facebook site. (it can take time to download page)

10/07/2020 Careers for Indigenous Australians Virtual Information Session

24/07/2020 Indigenous ADF Careers Virtual Information Session

Finding out if you like the job

An important strategy in career exploration is experiencing the job you are interested in. This can be undertaken in many ways:

Work observation - spending a day or more with someone already in the job at their workplace
Career interview – developing a list of questions and interviewing someone already in a job you are investigating
Work experience – spending some time (a week if possible) in the job
Investigating courses by visiting institutions and talking to providers about their courses
Getting a part-time job or volunteering in your job of interest
Doing a course or workshop that relates to the type of work you want to do.

The school holidays are a perfect time to do some of these activities. If you need help organising an activity, speak to Ms Ambrose.

Bright Awards Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia competition

Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University has launched Bright Awards for 2020; a competition designed to highlight young creative talent and support the arts in high schools across Australia. It is for anyone just starting out, with a couple of years of practice or really proud of their major work. Entries are now open for students in Years 10-12 with cash prizes to help kick start creative dreams. This is a chance for students to have their work recognised by industry professionals working in the field. They are searching for the most creative, disruptive and innovative minds across Australia. Entry is now open and close on 16th November 2020 with awards announced on 7th December 2020. Find out more and register here.

Choosing a career? These jobs won’t go out of style

Claims that 40 per cent of jobs in Australia won’t exist in the future are unhelpful when you are thinking about entering the workforce. The reality is some jobs will no longer exist, new jobs will be created and most jobs will undergo some form of change. The skills we need for work are changing but, you can plan for these changes. Fears of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) wiping out future work are well founded – new technology is changing the way we work. But as the current workforce ages, future generations will have many job opportunities, if they gain the right skills. Click here to read more about:

Jobs of the future
Which industries show growth
Skills young people can learn

Have you heard about: Keyboard Operators, Valuers or Aged and Disabled Carers

Keyboard Operators input and process text and data, and prepare, edit and generate documents for storage, processing, publication and transmission. You can work as a Keyboard Operator without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A course in a technology or business field might be helpful.

Valuers assess the value of land, property, commercial equipment, merchandise, personal effects, household goods and objects of art. Specialisations are in Plant and Machinery Valuer, Property Valuer, Real Estate Valuer. A formal qualification in valuation, property or another related field is needed to work as a Valuer. University and VET (Vocational Education and Training) are both common study pathways for Valuers.

Aged and Disabled Carers provide general household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged and disabled people in their own homes and are also known as a Personal Care Worker, or Personal Carer. You can work as an Aged or Disabled Carer without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. Aged and Disabled Carers often complete a Certificate III or IV.

Student experiences and graduate employment

Thinking about higher education institutions and study areas? The QILT (Quality indicators for learning and teaching) website helps you compare official study experience and employment outcomes data from Australian higher education institutions. Create your own shortlist to compare different study areas and institutions. See what students think about the university and study areas that you’re interested in.

Unlocking Your Employability

In today’s world of work, employers are looking for much more than a qualification. You need to show a potential employer what you can offer beyond your qualifications. The University of Queensland has developed a course to help you do this. It will help you understand what employability is and why it is important.

The course, Unlocking Your Employability is free, although there is a fee if you want to receive a certificate. It consists of seven one-hour modules that you can complete at your own pace. Visit the edX website to read more about the course.

What’s the difference between a Registered Nurse, an Enrolled Nurse and a Midwife?

Registered nurses (RN) assess, plan, provide and evaluate preventative, curative and rehabilitative care for patients and supervise other nursing staff. They work in a wide variety of settings such as hospitals, aged care and other health care facilities and private medical practices. They need:

good communication skills,
the ability to assume responsibility and leadership roles
tolerance, patience and tact in dealing with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures
to take the initiative in emergencies
an ability to work both independently and as part of a team
the ability to cope with the physical demands and psychological aspects of the job.

To become a RN, you need to complete a three-year Bachelor of Nursing at a university or other accredited institute of higher education. RNs are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. You can obtain more information about this occupation from the myfuture website (you will need to Log in or Sign up to enter this free site) and the Good Universities Guide website (this site has a list of nursing specialisations).

Enrolled Nurses (EN) under the direction and supervision of Registered Nurses, assist with the provision of acute, preventative, curative, rehabilitative and the day-to-day personal nursing care of patients. They work in hospitals, aged-care facilities, the community and other healthcare settings. ENs need to:

have good communication, problem-solving and team skills
follow instructions precisely
be tolerant, patient and tactful with many different types of people.

To become an EN in Australia, the minimum level of study is the Diploma of Nursing (18 months – 2 years), delivered through TAFE or an accredited private Registered Training Organisation. After graduation, ENs apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia to practice as an Enrolled nurse. You can obtain more information about this occupation from the myfuture website (you will need to log in or Sign up to enter this free site) and the Good Universities Guide website.

Midwifes provide care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, and postnatal care for women and babies in a range of settings such as the home, community, hospitals, clinics and health units. They are also known as a Certified Midwife or Registered Midwife and can specialise in Community Midwife and Midwife Practitioner.

Midwifes need:

Good communication skills
Able to assume responsibility and take leadership
Able to take initiative in emergencies
Able to work under pressure
Tolerant and patient when dealing with people from a wide range of backgrounds
Able to work as part of a team
Able to cope with the physical and psychological demands of the job

A bachelor degree in midwifery is needed to work as a Midwife. Some Midwives complete postgraduate studies. Midwives are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. You can obtain more information about this occupation from the Job Outlook and the Good Universities Guide website.

Rural and Regional Enterprise scholarships

RRES is an Australian Government national initiative to encourage regional and remote students into tertiary study. With many scholarships on offer, Click here for more information and find out how to apply. Currently open for students at university in 2020 but will be opening later in the year for students starting study in 2021 (usually it has been mid – December but keep an eye out).

QUT Virtual Holiday Program – 30th June & 2nd July

During the June/July holidays, QUT is teaming up with Street Science to bring you an exciting online virtual holiday program! From the comfort of your home, Science Steve and QUT researchers will bring science to life and guide you through their high energy and engaging experiments, sure to captivate budding scientists.

Jobs in demand Employer survey results

The Labour Market Information Portal has been updated with a range of new data and research insights, including more information relating to the labour market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the Jobs in Demand Employer Survey Results (22nd May) which includes an employer survey identifying where job opportunities continue to exist in the Australian labour market despite the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. Information available includes which jobs are in demand and what qualifications, skills and experience employers are seeking in these roles.

Exam stress and top tips to de-stress

The following tips are adapted from an article from the University of Queensland’s Health Hub.

With exam time upon us, we can no longer avoid the worry of looming deadlines and challenging expectations (our own and other’s). Everybody deals with stress differently, so it is important to recognise your own signs and take control before they control you. The following behaviours can be signs of stress.

Irregular sleep patterns
Short temper and irritability
That gut feeling (butterflies)
Finding it difficult to relax or unwind
Overreacting to situations
Comfort food snacking or loss of appetite

If you are experiencing one, many, or all these signs, you need to do something about it to help you handle the demands you face. The following tips could help.

Set the tone for your day - Take a few moments at the start of your day to set some good intentions and to collect your thoughts. It may sound like a no-brainer but it will give you a moment to pause before jumping into your busy day.

Create a schedule – Make a schedule or timetable for your day. For example, 8 – 8: 30 am could be for wake-up routine (shower, breakfast, etc.); 8:30 - 9:30 am could be for study; 9:30 - 9:45 am could be for a short walk or break. Creating a schedule and allocating periods to study will help increase the chances of using your time effectively.

Divide your day up – Divvy your day into manageable study blocks (try 40 – 50 minute blocks to begin with and slowly build) and stick to them. Set yourself goals on what you want to complete in that time, then have a break well away from your desk.

Take a break (maybe even eat a Kit Kat!) – Sitting down to study 24/7 in the lead up to exams will wreck you long before D-day. It may be chilly outside but there are huge benefits to getting a breath of fresh air to break up your study time. It will do wonders for your motivation and creativity.

Turn your phone off in study period – Mobile phones are an unhelpful distraction, so during your allocated study time, turn it off so you can focus on your work. The distraction of the phone can cause further stress.

Eat for your brain – Eat nutritious, little and often to avoid food comas. Go for quality food like vegetables, fruit, nuts and wholemeal bread to stimulate your brain and set yourself up for success.

Use your nerves, do not let them use you – It may not feel like it at the time, however positive nerves can be a good thing. They help you to work and think faster while being more effective with your time and overall performance.

Shake it off – Sometimes when you feel like your head is about to explode all you need to do is let off some steam. Do whatever will make you feel at ease, whether that’s a workout at the gym, making a nutritious meal, listening to some music, sitting in the sun. Whatever it takes, give yourself the time to shake the negativity and get back on task.

Warn your loved ones – Let your family and friends know what is going on as we often take our stress out on those that are the closest to us. This is the time when you need to be surrounded by support, not thinking about trivial disagreements.

Prioritise your study – It may sometimes feel that everyone wants a piece of your time (school, work, coach, friends, family) but where you can, try to explain your situation so you can put your study first and make plans for your other commitments after exams are over.

If you are still struggling with stress, make a time to speak with your Guidance Officer, School Counsellor or your family Doctor. Do not let stress win!

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator

Tim Urban knows that procrastination does not make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done. In this hilarious and insightful talk, Urban takes you on a journey through YouTube binges, Wikipedia, rabbit holes and bouts of staring out the window -- and encourages you to think harder about what you're really procrastinating on, before you run out of time.

Invest your time instead of wasting it

Growing Leaders suggests that everyone has a choice to make when it comes to time. We can:

1. Waste our time. We find things to do to kill time or amuse ourselves.

2. Spend our time. We use our time on tasks to maintain the status quo.

3. Invest our time. We leverage our time to improve current realities.

The truth is none of these three activities are inherently wrong. Sometimes we just need to relax and kill time. We need to let our hair down and decompress. It feels like we are wasting time because we don’t have a tangible goal in mind when accomplishing a task.

We also need to spend time doing chores, playing sport, walking the dog doing study. It’s not glitzy, but it’s necessary.

The best time is leveraged, however, when we find ways to invest it. Just like money, when time is invested well, it multiplies. Things get better. People make progress. Life moves forward. When we invest our time, it pays dividends, either to us or for other people. There is a great benefit. Click here to read more about how you can use your time wisely.

Science

Peter Hume

Science Teacher

Year 7 Science

Grant Peppler

STEM Club Teacher

STEM CLUB