In focus: Making career decisions
It is important to note that each person’s career journey is different, with varied pathways, challenges and outcomes. You will be influenced by different experiences and people as you progress through your career – your plans may change once you leave school, commence study or enter your first job.
When starting and throughout your decision making, it is important to consider who you are, your interests, things you are good at, your ambitions and preferred lifestyle.
The key to a successful career is adopting a life-long learning approach, research and making the most of opportunities.
For parents, now is a great time to have a conversation with your child/ren about your current role, skills, education and tasks needed to get to where you are today. As well as how has your career been affected by people, experiences, technology and our recent Covid-19 context.
This can then lead into a meaningful discussion about your child/ren, their interests, abilities and ambitions.
You might also like to check out:
- Pathways for education, training and employment – CEAV graphic summary of the range of pathways.
- Helpful hints for engaging parents in career conversations – CEAV suggestions for parents.
- My Future – Assist your Child: Information for Parents and Carers website (curated resources to assist parents and carers in working with their young people) and especially the recorded Webinar Supporting your child’s career development
- National Careers Week On-Demand-Webinars – there are two available from the National Careers Institute
- How can parents contribute positively to their children’s career choices? – A succinct Canadian sourced factsheet.
Current and continuing students, key resources to assist with school program and elective subject decision making:
- Marist-Sion College Course Guide and linked resources including Course Information Presentations and relevant application forms https://courseguide.mscw.vic.edu.au/
- VCAA website especially for information on VCE Studies, VCAL, Higher Education and Get VET www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/
- VTAC website especially if interested in learning about Victorian tertiary courses and pre-requisites www.vtac.edu.au – need help using this tool, check out this helpful video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmXJbWWXBD4
Hard copy versions of published Course Pre-requisites are also available:
Year 10s: Pre-requisite subjects for 2024
Year 11s: Pre-requisite subjects for 2023
The following attachment Important Subjects for Tertiary Study in Victoria may also provide a helpful guide, especially for Year 10 students.
- My Skills website especially if interested in VET opportunities during and after school www.myskills.gov.au
- My Future website especially the Career Bullseye section if students have a particular subject that they enjoy www.myfuture.edu.au
- Job Outlook website for general careers and pathways research www.joboutlook.gov.au
- Morrisby (for those students in Year 9 and 10 that have an account) www.morrisby.com
School Leavers and Current Year 12s may be interested in:
School Leavers Information Kit and the School Leavers Information Service provide tailored careers information to help young people understand their education, training and work pathways. More info https://yourcareer.gov.au/
Employment Resources
If you are planning to get a job or if you would like to study at university or TAFE next year, you will need a TFN. You will need to apply for a TFN – these aren’t issued automatically. To start the application process, go to http://bit.ly/2aLCSjJ
Find out about your rights at work: learn about your rights, responsibilities, how to resolve issues in the workplace and rules about unpaid work, https://bit.ly/1Svl7DP
Learn about safety in the workplace: your rights and responsibilities - https://bit.ly/2K2AYPK and how to stay safe - https://bit.ly/2VA24j5
Additional Apprenticeship and Traineeship Resources
Australian Apprenticeship Pathways: You will be able to learn more about the steps to follow when seeking an apprenticeship or traineeship, undertake apprenticeship aptitude tests, find local apprenticeship and group training centres, and learn about different trade occupations, www.aapathways.com.au/
Tertiary Resources
State-based Tertiary Admission Centres process course applications on behalf of universities, some TAFE institutes, and some private providers.
You can research courses, prerequisites, selection criteria and ATAR profiles for the 2021 intake.
Victoria www.vtac.edu.au
NSW & ACT www.uac.edu.au
QLD www.qtac.edu.au
SA & NT www.satac.edu.au
Tasmania www.utas.edu.au
Australia wide search www.courseseeker.edu.au
Australia wide comparison tool www.compared.edu.au/
VET (TAFE) Resource
MySkills is the national directory of vocational education (VET) organisations and courses.
Financial Assistance
Study Assist provides information for students (and their families) about government assistance for financing tertiary study. In particular, check out the Before Your Study Section https://www.studyassist.gov.au/you-study