Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

Term 4 already! Most of our Year 12 students have now completed their QTAC (University) applications; started their TAFE expression of interests or getting their resumes and letters ready to apply for jobs. It has been good to speak to so many of our Year 12s of late and to assist them in their future endeavors. Melissa Tresidder is another staff member many our students are working with. Melissa’s is the CES Project Officer - Transition and she works across secondary colleges in the Diocese to provide additional post school pathway and transition. She is based at SMCC every Friday. Her background is in employment and training. Previously, Melissa worked for Skill360 Australia for 20+ years to provide employment and training pathways for young people to enter into Apprenticeships, Traineeships and further study. Melissa provides a range of pathway supports to students such as work readiness training which covers resumes, cover letters, sourcing and applying for jobs and training opportunities, support to prepare for interviews, employer expectations (how to get the job and keep the job), through to on the job supported work placements. Melissa is happy to hear from Year 12 students who require assistance (mtresidder@cns.catholic.edu.au).

Year 9 students of 2020 will be undertaking work experience preparation this term. To improve the work readiness of students as they enter their final years of schooling, St Mary’s conducts a work placement program for all Year 10 students. The College has engaged the services of Vocational Partnership Group Inc. (VPG) to source suitable employers and prepare the required paperwork and insurances for work placements. We are holding our 2021 Work Experience Week in Term 1 Week 10. VPG need to meet with of our Year 9 students by the end of this year to ensure placements can be made for early 2021. We are holding a parent information zoom session on Thursday 29th October at 5.30pm. Students will also be hearing from VPG during their school day on Friday 30th October – this is where they will hear about the program and steps that will be taken to ensure the best chance of placement at their preferred workplace. Interviews for the placements will take place 12th & 13th November. More information will be coming Year 9 students and families/carers soon.

Apprenticeship and Traineeship training requirements

To complete an apprenticeship or traineeship, you need to complete ‘on-the-job’ training from the employer at work and ‘off-the-job’ training through a VET qualification usually gained at a TAFE college or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Sometimes the RTO comes to the workplace to deliver training. Find out more on the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website.

Practice literacy and numeracy aptitude quizzes for future apprentices

When you are applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship you often are required to undertake a literacy and numeracy aptitude quiz. It is a good idea to have a practice before you need to do 'the real thing'. They are nothing like assignments at school and you will be far more successful if you practice before hand. Australian Apprenticeship Pathways has a bank of quizzes for seventeen industry areas so click here and select the industry area you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship in.

Queensland Government funding contributions for apprenticeships and traineeships

Some training organisations are contracted by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training to provide training and assessment for some apprenticeships and traineeships, at a reduced cost, under the User Choice program. Queenslanders may only access a maximum of two government contributions and therefore, it is important that apprentices and trainees ensure the decision they make will lead them to their future chosen career. Their decision may affect their access to further funding in the future.

The Queensland Government will cover the full cost of training for apprentices and trainees, under the age of 21, who commence, or are undertaking, a priority apprenticeship or traineeship qualification till 30 June 2023. For high priority qualifications, the Government covers the full cost of training for eligible year 12 graduates in selected apprenticeships, traineeships and other training courses.

Click on the links below for more information for apprentices and trainees:

Travel and accommodation subsidy (Queensland Government) - Apprentices and trainees who have to travel more than 100kms return to attend training may be eligible for a travel and/or accommodation subsidy.

Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY (Department of Human Resources) - Apprentices and trainees may be eligible for a health care card which may entitle them to a reduction in some of the costs of training.

Financial support and loans (Australian Apprenticeships) - The Trade Support Loan can help eligible apprentices with everyday costs while completing their apprenticeship.

Living Away From Home Allowance (Australian Apprenticeships) - An allowance for eligible apprentices and trainees who have to move away from their parent or guardian's home in order to take up or retain an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Disability support - There are a number of support services available to help apprentices and trainees with disability throughout their apprenticeship or traineeship. Services are available to the apprentice or trainee, their employer and the training organisation.

10 STEM Careers for 2020… and Beyond

There are many different STEM careers out there, many of them in new fields that didn’t exist a few years ago. Check out Twig Education's most exciting career opportunities for 2020 which include:- Gameplay Engineer/Programmer, Certified Ethical Hacker, Underwater Archaeologist, Nanosystems Engineer, Atmospheric Scientist/Storm Tracker, LEGO Designer, Mobile Application Developer, Aerospace Engineer, Photonics Engineer, 3D Printing Engineer.

Australian occupations

‘Occupation’ is the name given to the type of work a person does. For example, a doctor, mechanic, project manager, physiotherapist or cabinet maker. You'll probably work in a number of different occupations over the course of your working life. The good news? Many of the skills and abilities developed working in one occupation are directly transferable and applicable to others. The Job Outlook website has information on hundreds of different occupations. They also offer job descriptions, average wages and main tasks. By exploring the website, you can get a sense of the kind of work that might suit you. The site can also help you understand the skills and roles that will be in demand in the future.

Career planning podcasts

The Foundation for Young Australian’s (FYA) has an article that lists eight podcasts that may help you with your career planning. We have listed five of those podcasts. It is highly recommended that you read the article before you explore the podcasts:

Binge Thinking - Binge Thinking is a fortnightly show where host Caspar Roxburgh has a chat to guests who are all under 35 years of age about who they are, what they do and how they see the world.

Starving Artist - How do creative types do what they do and pay the bills? This podcast aims to find out.

Working - Each episode is an interview with a professional about what they do all day.

Startup - This podcast is for those who are keen to get their own business off the ground.

Note to Self – Each episode tackles the pervasiveness of our devices and how to preserve our humanity in the digital age.

Confidence is a work in progress

Jim Bright writes that the most valuable currency in a career is confidence. It is what drives us to engage, to strive and to take on the challenges. Confidence oils the machine to allow it to keep going, it lubricates social interactions making them flow smoothly. Read Jim's article to find out more about why being confident is a valuable mindset to have when planning out your next step after school.

Have you heard about: Sail makers, Scaffolders or Speech pathologists

Sail Makers fabricate and repair sails and other articles from sailcloth. You can work as a Sail Maker without formal qualifications if you are able to demonstrate your technical competency to employers. However, a certificate III in textile fabrication is usually required.

Scaffolders erect and dismantle scaffolding to provide work platforms on building and industrial sites and for temporary structures such as staging and seating. You can work as a Scaffolder without formal qualifications. Some on the job training may be provided. A certificate III in scaffolding might be helpful.

Speech Pathologists provide diagnostic assessment and management of disorders of communication and swallowing through direct intervention, education, consultancy, advocacy or a combination of these approaches. You need an accredited bachelor or master's degree in speech-language pathology to work as a Speech Pathologist.

Plan your career journey for success

In simplistic terms, career planning has four stages:- Knowing yourself, Finding out about the options available (i.e. exploring industries and occupations), Decision making and Taking action (i.e. acting on your decision). The Career Centre on the Western Australian Government website has resources to help you with each stage of your career planning. Visit the site and get started. Contact your school Guidance Counsellor/Officer if you require assistance with this process.

Rehabilitation could be an option for you

Rehabilitation is a field of study that prepares you for roles that are closely aligned with other health professions, particularly medicine. The type of role you go into depends on the qualification you obtain, as this determines whether you work at a paraprofessional or professional level. The following are just some of the majors you can study in this field which include:- Audiology, Chiropractic, Occupational therapy, Optometry, Orthoptics, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Speech pathology. Click here to read more about this field including course options, study locations, career opportunities and postgraduate study options.

The Year13 website

Year13 is an online resource for post school options. It provides information on Jobs, Gap Year Programs, Job Vacancies, Studying, Money Advice, Internships and more. The site has a ‘Get Advice’ section with many articles you might find interesting and informative. Visit the ‘Study’ section for useful information about industries and occupations.

The new look myfuture website

Check out the new myfuture website has had a face life making it more user friendly and easy to navigate. When you sign in (you can still use your usual login details) you will come to the home page and find links to the following information:

My career profile - Complete activities to identify interests, values and skills and view suggested occupations to explore career pathways.

Occupations - Explore over 350 occupations describing tasks, skill levels and current labour market information.

Industries - Access important information (including employment prospects) for each industry.

Career articles - Discover practical information to support your career exploration.

Courses - Discover a course for you by viewing current higher education and vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Institutions - Learn more about educational institutions and what opportunities and further study options are available.

Career bullseyes - Find out what career pathways are related to school learning areas.

Career stories - Learn tips and tricks by reading real-life career stories about personal experiences.

Organisations - Discover career resources, opportunities and possible career pathways.

Disabilities

Assistance for Australian Apprentices with disability

The Australian Government provides additional support to Australian Apprentices with disability through the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS). DAAWS is payable to employers who employ apprentices who meet the eligibility criteria. To determine your eligibility and to apply for the DAAWS contact your local Apprenticeship Network provider. Help is also available through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) which gives financial aid to eligible people so they can buy work related modifications, equipment, help and services. It is good to tell prospective employers that they can access the EAF through Disability Employment Services or jobactive organisations.

Tertiary study applicants with a disability

Students with a disability that may impact on their tertiary study are encouraged to contact the disabilities services of the relevant universities before they commence their studies. See the Institution disability contacts webpage on the QTAC website.

100 jobs of the future

Jobs that exist now could eventually be superseded by technology and many industries will evolve beyond recognition thanks to advancements in technology. Rather than dwelling on robots taking our jobs, look at the opportunities that technology brings to tomorrow’s workforce. A 2017 report by Commonwealth bank stated that ‘the future of work will be primarily about how people can collaborate effectively with machines to do what neither can do alone’. Some of the most in-demand roles today haven’t been around for that long — think bloggers, UX designers, digital marketers and social media managers. Click here to read more about these jobs including:

Nostalgists: Assisting in preserving the memories of elderly people to create a personalised experience for older people and people with dementia

Child assistant bot programmers: Designing humanoid robots that support children to play safely

Cyborg psychologists: Helping humans to accept their synthetic organs and robotic limbs

Chief ethics officers: Working with large companies and government organisations to ensure they are considering genuine ethical practices and adhering to corporate social responsibility

Cricket farmers: With 1,900 edible species of insect available, crickets are an excellent and efficient source of protein

We don’t know for sure what the future holds but we do know that technology is only going to keep progressing rapidly and contributing to the ever-changing workforce. Visit 100jobsofthefuture.com to view the whole list and start future-proofing your career plans.

6 in-demand jobs of the future

It’s worth exploring what jobs will be in demand in the future. Technology might be your first thought but with technology allowing for more jobs to be automated, jobs of the future will be more human-centric – focusing on health and wellbeing and helping humans live their best lives. Futurist Morris Miselowski explains: “While there will still be a need for people who can code, these types of skills will be cooling down and making way for those who can integrate tech and humanity,” he says. “The health and wellbeing sectors will also be growth industries, we are increasingly taking wellbeing into our own hands – including when it comes to caring for our elders and we are learning to be more discerning in this age of information.” Click here to read about the careers he predicts will be big in the future which are Health and wellbeing, Mental health workers, Geriatric care, Physician assistants, Virtual influencer 'teams', Robotic to human experts.

Job mobility in Australia

McCrindle research says that Australia’s job mobility is a long way from job for life - in fact it’s closer to three jobs per decade! Today the national average tenure in a job is 3.3 years (3 years and 4 months), based on voluntary turnover of around 15% per annum. If this plays out consistently in the life of a school leaver today, and assuming they start their working life aged 18 (in a part-time role) and are retired from all work by 75, they will have 17 different employers in their lifetime. Based on 3 jobs before upskilling or career changing, this means that they will also have 5 separate careers in their lifetime. Click here to read more. So, deciding what you will do straight out of school is only your first step along your career pathway and NOT the final destination or decision for life that is often said.

Manage your digital Identity

On the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business Job Jumpstart website you can find brochures on many topics that will assist you as you move forward to further study and employment. One such brochure is Manage Your Digital Identity where you will find information about:

When looking for work, your digital footprint matters
You can prevent damage to your online reputation
Get a professional profile

Re-defining the skills for success formula: What job hunters demonstrate, what new hires anticipate and what hiring managers expect

If you asked career counsellors "What skills are necessary for success in the workplace?" chances are you would hear 100 different answers. To reduce confusion and try to dispel some myths, Tylor Behrens' team conducted an informal study. They interviewed students, new employees and seasoned hiring managers and they got lots of different answers!

This is because the skills needed at one phase of the "career-success formula" are quite different from those at another stage. For example, the skills a student must possess to secure a job offer from an employer might differ greatly when it comes time for that student to perform on the job 12 months later. Click here to read more about these “situational” skills and what student, recent hires and managers have to say about skills people need for success.

Do you have a Tax File Number? You need one!

Prospective university and TAFE students will need a Tax File Number (TFN) to be able to defer their fee payment through HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, VET FEE-HELP or a VET Student Loan. These loans are made on the basis you pay it back later through the tax system. So, if you don’t have a TFN, you won’t be able to finalise a government loan for study. There are several ways to apply for a TFN. Visit the Australian Tax Office website for details. You need to apply early as it will take some time to receive your TFN.

Study Assist - information about government financial assistance

The Australian Government provides financial assistance in several forms to young people wanting to take on a study program. On the Study Assist website you can find information about what to do before you study, HELP Loans, VET Students, Support while you study, Paying back your loan and need more information.

Preparing for SAT

If you are wanting to study in the USA you will need to sit the SAT exam. Sitting for exams is stressful - but sitting for the SAT doesn’t have to be. The College Board and Khan Academy have teamed up to provide free SAT practice resources for building confidence and reducing the stress of SAT preparation. Visit the website to find out more.

Study Skills

5 Tips for memorising your essays before exams

Your final exams are looming and along with it comes a million study tasks you really don’t want to face. Practice papers, drafts and essay scaffolds, most of which are mildly bearable at best. But how do you make it through the one soul wrenching, mind numbing task no one likes? I’m talking about memorising essays; a seemingly impossible feat that only a few students will master. Click here to learn some tips from the Year 13 people about remembering your work for exams.

How to work better when you’re stressed

Stress affects everyone. The way we experience and deal with stress is unique and may be completely different to how you would experience and cope with the same situation. In these moments of stress, particularly in the context of study, we need to be able to continue to perform and meet deadlines, no matter the intensity of our stress levels or how we react to being under pressure. Something Laurie from USQ learned was how to identify the tasks she does best when she’s stressed and what she needed in order to function at her peak in those circumstances. Click here to read more and get some useful tips.

Music to study to

Struggling to stay focused? Listening to music can help you keep calm, increase productivity, boost your mood and motivation and even help you stay in the zone for longer. While listening to your favourite band might be great for keeping your spirits high, it might end up in a two-hour dance-a-thon and end up being more of a distraction. But which music is the best for studying? Click here to read more about classical music, study playlists on Spotify, brown noise and Brain.fm.

Positive mental health tips for students

Lots of things weigh on your mind. There's the pressure to perform academically, coupled with your work duties and extra curricular activities. Fear of missing out (FOMO) can increase your sense of obligation to make the most of your time left at school to the point where you become burnt out. The stress of juggling school, work and extracurricular obligations can hinder your mental health as a student. Here are six mental health tips for preserving your wellness when you take your online or face to face classes now and at Uni or TAFE including planning your week on Sunday, getting your meal prep game on point, moving your muscles, involving yourself in the social side of student life, planning for unscheduled downtime and locating mental health resources.

Study skill resources

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Student Services Learning website has online guides and workshops to help you with all aspects of study. While these are provided for UQ students, most of them are equally useful for Year 12 students including general study skills, exam tips, assignment writing and workshops.

SMCC Rugby

Sam Harreman

Rugby Coordinator