Careers
2023 is off and running and the Careers Team are already off to a busy start. Each fortnight lots of careers news will be here for students and their parents to read through and keep up to date with the many career-based opportunities held in Victoria and interstate.
For our senior students, Universities, Institutes and TAFE post information about open days and courses which are good to take note of, along with advice from Victorian Admission Tertiary Service (VTAC), scholarships opportunities, gap year adventures and so on.
Throughout the year the Careers Team advertise various job opportunities, apprenticeships, and traineeships in the Senior Secondary Careers TEAMs page that all Year 10 -12 students have access to. Posts can also be seen on Facebook - Greater Shepparton Secondary College Careers page so make sure you like the page.
All students are welcome to have an appointment to see their Careers Practitioner and parents are most welcome to attend a booked session. Appointments can be made via a TEAMS message, email or in person with the students Careers Practitioner.
A list of the Careers Team and their roles is below.
Careers Leader – Natasha Boyko
Neighbourhood 1 Biyala – Susan Barr
Neighbourhood 2 Dharnya – Graeme Crosbie
Neighbourhood 3 Bayuna – Dan Watson
Partnerships Manager – Mary-Ann Linehan
Industry Engagement Priority Cohorts Coordinator – Colleen Wilkinson
Careers Club Thursday lunchtime
This year the Careers Team will be holding a Careers Club each Thursday lunchtime in the Enterprise Centre computer room. All students are welcome to attend. The topic of each week will vary from information sessions, help with resume and cover letter writing, applying for part time jobs, demonstrations on how to use the Careers Website, presentations from University and GOTAFE representatives, and answering any questions a student may have. Topics will be advertised in the student bulletin prior and the Careers Team look forward to seeing students attending.
Year 12 students
Have you had your Careers Conversation yet?
GSSC Careers Practitioners have started Careers Conversations with our Year 12 students to talk about career aspirations in the future. Careers staff will offer guidance in many areas of careers. In particular planning for University courses, where to find scholarships, how to apply for university accommodation, TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment. Students yet to have a conversation please drop into the Careers Hub in your neighbourhood or send a message on TEAMS to your Careers Practitioner to book an appointment. Parents are most welcome.
Year 9 Morrisby Profiling
Morrisby Profiling has started, with students in Biyala first to undergo the testing. Morrisby Profiling is a valuable tool that exists to help every student start to think about careers that suit their ability, personality and ambition. Once the profiling is completed students have an interview with a Morrisby specialist to discuss potential career pathways.
Students will also receive special print outs of their results. It is completely free and a valuable experience for all. Students can only complete the Morrisby with parental permission. Forms are available from the Careers Practitioners in each neighbourhood as listed in this newsletter. Details will be in the student bulletin of when a student is required to complete the profiling.
Volunteer Opportunity
Early in the term Alan Turner from Zaidee’s Ribbon Foundation came to GSSC to talk to students about a volunteer opportunity. Zaidee Turner was aged 7 years when she died suddenly from a Cerebral Aneurysm.
At the time of Zaidee’s death the Turner family had been registered Organ and Tissue Donors for five years. Zaidee donated her organs and tissues at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the lives of seven other people were improved or saved because of it. Zaidee’s parents, Kim and Allan, founded Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation to raise awareness of the need for increased organ and tissue donor registration in Australia.
Alan is seeking student volunteers for the Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run on Saturday, 25th February 2023. Students must be over 15 years old. The volunteers will help with the running of the event. All volunteers get a T-shirt and are allowed to run the course at the end of the day as a group.
If students are interested in helping out, they need to be at Kids Town on the Shepparton – Mooroopna Causeway at 6.30am. The run finishes approximately, 2 – 2.30pm.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, meet new people, boost your self-esteem and have fun. It is also good to put on your resume and really useful for Scholarship Applications in the future if you are considering TAFE or University studies in the future.
For further information see your Careers Practitioner
Other News:
Year 12 Students
University Scholarships
A scholarship is financial help awarded to students. They can provide different types of benefits, for example – a sum of money, subsidised accommodation, industry work experience, subsidised course fees etc.
The following are two scholarships for high achievers.
University of Melbourne Hansen Scholarship
If you are planning to study at The University of Melbourne in 2024, you should consider applying for the Hansen Scholarship. Stage 1 applications are now open and close on Thursday 30 March. You must be able to prove financial disadvantage to be eligible.
Australia National University (ANU) – Tuckwell Scholarship
If you are planning to study at ANU in 2024, you should consider applying for the Tuckwell Scholarship. You are required to apply direct to ANU by 3 April for the courses you are interested in and by 13 April for the scholarship. Applications will open on Wednesday 1 March https://tuckwell.anu.edu.au/
Early Entry University
No doubt you’ve heard the term ‘early entry’ and you’re keen to apply for programs. Early entry enables universities to look at factors other than just the ATAR when making course offers. It's important to know the following:
Early entry programs are different at each university. There are different application methods, and different application dates.
Each program takes different criteria into consideration. These could include:
A soft skills statement
Year 11 results
A recommendation from your school
A personal statement
History of community service/leadership
Some early entry programs are designed to give applicants ‘unconditional offers’. This usually means a course offer that is ATAR and study score free. Others have conditions such as meeting a guaranteed ATAR and meeting minimum study scores. The following two early entry programs are now open. Applicants can receive an unconditional offer:
University of New England
Selection is based on a school recommendation
Apply by Friday 15 September
Charles Sturt University
Selection is based on Year 11 results and a soft skills assessment.
Apply by Friday 7 April
Australian Defence Force
ADF Gap Year Program
Year 12 students will soon be able to apply for the ADF Gap Year program. Students will spend an exciting 12-months in the Navy, Army or Air Force, and get paid for meaningful work while travelling around Australia, gaining skills for life, and making lifelong friends. To start the application process, you can book the YOU (Your Options Unlimited) session early. This is the first step in the recruitment process. For information and to book visit http://bit.ly/2Tyn8Yp For information visit www.defencejobs.gov.au
Gap Year Programs
A gap year is commonly taken by Year 12 graduates who would like to delay the start of their university or TAFE course or apprenticeship/traineeship. The year provides a fantastic opportunity for graduates to participate in volunteering or overseas programs. Year13 has put together a gap year guide of exciting ideas,
https://year13.com.au/articles/what-gap-year-guide and weblinks for travel opportunities https://year13.com.au/explore/travel
Medicine, Dentistry and/or Oral Health
If you are in Year 12 and plan to apply for medicine, dentistry and/or oral health to start in 2024, you may need to sit the UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test). You will sit the test mid-year and selected universities use your UCAT ANZ results as part of the selection process, in conjunction with your ATAR and Year 12 results, and in some cases an interview.
You will only have one chance to sit the UCAT ANZ this year. It will cost you $325 to sit the test, or $199 concession, and you will be able to receive your results straight away. Please go to www.ucat.edu.au for more information about the UCAT ANZ, to see if you have to sit the test, and to register for the test. Registrations open on Wednesday 1 March.
UCAT Preparation Sessions
You have the choice to start preparing for the test early. There are several private companies that offer commercial preparation programs such as:
NIE, www.nie.edu.au
Med Entry, www.medentry.edu.au
It’s important to note that private companies are not endorsed by the universities that use the UCAT.
UCAT Mock Exam Day 2023
This is a free online UCAT trial exam that will be sat by thousands of students. You will receive your mock UCAT score and have a benchmark to work on improving for the exam later in the year. You can sit the exam any time on Sunday 26 February. Register for the test via www.ucatmasterclass.com/ucat-med
Medicine Information Session
Charles Sturt University offers undergraduate medicine at the Orange, NSW campus in partnership with Western Sydney University. An online information session for prospective students will be held on Wednesday 29 March. Book via https://study.csu.edu.au/life/events
Year 11 & 12: Marine Science Work Experience
Experience six days as a marine scientist with The University of Tasmania. Year 11 and 12 students are invited to apply for this incredible program that aims to introduce students to temperate marine biology.
Twenty-four students will spend a week at Maria Island and there are fourteen scholarships available to cover flights, accommodation, meals, and transfers. For information and to register your interest visit http://bit.ly/3JGDVEd
All Students
Apprenticeships/Traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships are excellent post school options. They are the perfect option for students who enjoy hands-on learning, would like to gain amazing skills, and would like to have a qualification that is recognised anywhere in Australia.
Gap year traineeships are excellent for graduates who would like to gain industry skills and a qualification before starting university study and also for grads who aren’t sure what pathway they would like to take in the future.
It's a great idea to get as much work experience as possible to increase your competitiveness for employment, work out the best industry for you, and to create networks and contacts. See your work experience coordinator for information.
Australian Apprenticeship Pathways have developed an excellent 4-step guide to assist you with planning www.aapathways.com.au
Read through Step One and take the work type explorer quiz, download the AusAppPathways app to your phone, and complete practice aptitude quizzes to ascertain the level of literacy and numeracy skills you will need for different occupations.
Bookmark websites for industries you are interested in to keep up to date with changes to industry technology, skills shortages, and events. For example:
Bricklaying: http://bit.ly/2DYCwbA
Plumbing: http://bit.ly/2FK6wnP
Agriculture: https://bit.ly/36WW9dq
Community: https://bit.ly/2OoUQgS
Rail Careers: https://bit.ly/36Ruo65
Career Events
One of the best ways to develop ideas for occupations and courses is to participate in career events. Check the Career Newsletter for upcoming events and join social media accounts for any higher education provider or training institute you are currently interested in to ensure you are up to date with events.
The following are two events you may be interested in.
La Trobe University
Year 10 - 12 students are invited to participate in the La Trobe University Experience Day at the Albury-Wodonga campus. Students will explore two study areas through one-hour workshops.
Friday 24 February
Charles Sturt University
Year 10 - 12 students are invited to participate in the Charles Sturt University Explore Day at the campus of their choice. Students will explore two study areas through one-hour workshops.
Albury-Wodonga, Tuesday 7 March
Wagga Wagga, Tuesday 21 March
https://study.csu.edu.au/life/events
Inspirational Videos
What better way to start the year than dreaming about your future and possible careers you may be interested in? Australia National University has developed a large collection of over ninety videos that cover a range of topics from astronomy/astrophysics, physics and mathematics to science communication, environment and sustainability, to health, medicine, psychology, to earth and marine sciences and much more!
Health related:
https://health.anu.edu.au/open-day
Science related: https://science.anu.edu.au/open-day
Employment
If you are keen to find a casual job, now is the perfect time to start looking for employment opportunities. The following are resources to get you started.
Excellent job seeking resources
For job seeking tips, and resume/cover letter templates, check out the resources at Youth Central www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Rights and responsibilities
Know your rights and responsibilities when starting a new job, www.fairwork.gov.au
Tax File Number (TFN)
If you don’t have a TFN, you will need to apply for one via the Australian Tax Office - www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/
Victoria Police
Victoria Police has four different roles available for students who might be interested in pursuing a career in policing.
Police Officer
Protective Services Officer
Police Custody Officer
Victorian Public Servant
For a brief overview of each role and to watch recruitment videos, visit https://bit.ly/2N5vhUu
Experience & attributes
Not every 18-year-old will be ready to apply but those who are gathering life experience whilst they are in high school will be more competitive throughout the recruitment process. For example:
Employment in a customer service role:
Provides exposure to people of all works of life and develops communication, teamwork and conflict resolution skills. For example, working at McDonalds one day a week.
Volunteer experience:
Develops a sense of community-mindedness and communication skills. For example, working at the local surf lifesaving club or community centre.
Sporting club experience:
Develops teamwork, communication and leadership skills, not to mention the healthy level of fitness that is a requirement of the role.
Overseas travel:
Provides exposure to other cultures, religions and languages and fosters a sense of independence and assertiveness.
For information on eligibility criteria and the recruitment process, visit the Victoria Police careers website www.police.vic.gov.au/careers
Information sessions
Bookmark the following page and check regularly for upcoming career information sessions, http://bit.ly/3uBvCO
Careers Team
Careers Leader – Natasha Boyko
Neighbourhood 1 Biyala – Susan Barr
Neighbourhood 2 Dharnya – Graeme Crosbie
Neighbourhood 3 Bayuna – Dan Watson
Partnerships Manager – Mary-Ann Linehan
Industry Engagement Priority Cohorts Coordinator Colleen Wilkinson