St Mary's College Connect

Careers News

Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

 

QTAC is still open for Year 12 students wanting to apply to university in the next year or two.  Students need to open an ATAR account as well as a QTAC account. To do this they will require their LUI number.

 

Term 4 sees the start of Work Experience preparation for our Year 9s. They will be undertaking career exploration, resume writing, inductions and interviews as part of the selection for work experience in 2021.  There will be a parent zoom session as well to explain the program in Term 4.  Work Experience will be taking place for our Year 10s (Current Yr 9s) in Week 10 Term 1 2021. More information will come out at the beginning of Term 4.

 

MORE PHOTOS FROM WORK EXPERIENCE YEAR 10

 

AusAppPathways mobile app for exploring apprenticeship and traineeship pathways

AusAppPathways is an app that can help you explore apprenticeship and traineeship pathway options. It is available for both Apple and Android devices. You can search through over 3000 examples of apprenticeship and traineeship occupations. You can find information:

  • by filtering by State and Territory
  • about tips on how to find a job
  • on exploring information and resources that can help you find career ideas that interest you
  • on how to begin career discussions with family, friends and career advisors

For more information about the app and to download it, visit the AusAppPathways website.

 

Brisbane City Council (BCC) trade apprenticeships open in September

The BCC employs apprentices in several trades in construction, automotive and horticulture.  They encourage applicants from the following categories:

  • Young people
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • People form a non-English speaking background
  • People with disability or impairment

The specific trades include:

  • Construction - Electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting and decorating, engineering (fabrication)
  • Automotive - Auto electrical, heavy vehicle mechanics, auto manufacturing, signage and graphics
  • Horticulture - Arboriculture, parks and gardens, sports turf management

BCC recruits throughout the year for apprentices. To apply you will need to submit a resume and cover letter outlining your personal attributes and interest in the apprenticeship on offer. The process may also involve online assessments, interviews, assessment centres, reference checks and medical examinations. To receive an email about the next apprentice intake, create an account and set up a Job Alert.  Visit the BCC Employment Programs website for more information.

 

Getting paid the right amount

Visit the ‘Pay’ page on the Fair Work Ombudsman website for information about pay obligations, including minimum wages and the rules regarding unpaid work. You can also find information about:

  • Pay
  • Leave
  • Ending employment
  • Employee entitlements
  • Awards and agreements
  • How we will help
  • About us

Connect with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through social media

Use the following sites to keep up with ADF events and new developments:

 

Upcoming Australian Defence Force (ADF) Information Sessions

The following Australian Defence Force information sessions will be held in September and you can also visit Defence Jobs Australia Facebook site:

21/09/2020       Health Careers Virtual Information Session

22/09/2020        Army Officer Virtual Information Session                                                      

23/09/2020        Army Reserve Virtual Information Session

28/09/2020         Women in Defence Virtual Information Session      

 

Women in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)

The Defence Jobs website has a section dedicated to Women in the ADF. This site looks at equal career opportunities, lifestyle, flexible working conditions, family support and short commitment options for women.

 

Career exploration

myfuture is a great website to fine information to assist you in doing some quality career research especially now as key decisions need to be made for senior schooling or life after school. On the myfuture website you can find information about:

  • My career profile
    • Interests
    • Skills
    • Education and training
    • Study
    • Working conditions
    • Values
    • Career knowledge
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Dream job
  • Occupations
  • Industries
  • Career insight
  • Courses
  • Institutions and organisations
  • Career bullseyes
  • Case studies
  • Assisting others

You have to sign up for the site but it is free and they only ask for an email address and your postcode.

 

Choosing a course for 2021

The Good University Guide suggests that applying for university or TAFE courses for 2021 is going to be different to previous years due to so many uncertainties at present. It’s not clear whether the funding proposals will pass, but at the moment it is looking like some courses are going to be much cheaper and others much more expensive. Certain courses may only be offered online, and it isn’t out of the question that there could be a delay in the commencement of courses in 2021. Click here for some tips for choosing a course – things to consider and how to apply including:

  • What to consider when choosing a course
  • Examine the details of the course content
  • On-Campus, online of blended learning?
  • Applying for the course
  • Final thoughts

Go online for your career

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 read about:

  • If in doubt google, it ...
  • Be aware of fake news
  • How to be a smart online careerist

 

Have you heard about Migration officers, Industrial engineers or interior designers?

Immigration Officers examine and assess the entry of people from other countries, administer visas and residency applications according to immigration legislation, rules and policies and where necessary, use legal powers to detain and remove illegal entrants. You generally need to complete a Border Force Recruit Traineeship to work as a Customs Officer.

 

Industrial Engineers investigate and review the utilisation of personnel, facilities, equipment and materials, current operational processes and established practices, to recommend improvement in the efficiency of operations in a variety of commercial, industrial and production environments. They can specialise as a Process Engineer (Industrial).

 

Interior Designers plan, design, detail and supervise the construction of commercial, industrial, retail and residential building interiors to produce an environment tailored to a purpose, with particular emphasis on space creation, space planning, and factors that enhance living and working environments. They can specialise in Commercial, Environmental, Residential and Retail Interior Design. Usually a formal qualification in interior design or architecture is needed but VET (Vocational Education and Training) and university are both common study pathways.

 

ICT careers resource

The ACS Foundation has a Careers Foundation website with an interactive career wheel. Using this wheel, you can explore careers in ICT sectors involving the following sectors:

  • Software
  • Hardware
  • Security
  • Specialties
  • Digital Design
  • Content
  • Industry and
  • Marketing/Consulting sectors.

For example, Cloud Computing is in the Specialities sector. When you click on Cloud Computing you will find a list of jobs and courses you could do to gain entry to the jobs.

 

Looking for a job where you can help people?

Allied Health is the biggest and fastest growing industry areas in Australia. According to Allied Health Professions Australia, allied health professionals comprise the following:

 

Arts therapists, Audiologists, Diagnostic Radiographer/Medical Imaging Technologist, Chiropractors, Dietitians, Exercise Physiologists, Genetic Counsellors, Music Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Orthopedicians, Orthotist/Prosthetists, Osteopaths, Perfusionists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Rehabilitation Counsellors, Social Workers, Sonographers and Speech Pathologists. Read more about allied health professions here. or do a search on the myfuture website (you can ‘Sign up’ for free). Also visit the My Health Career website (click ‘Resources’ and ‘Pathways to a career in health) or access information about many of these professions on the University of Queensland Health website.

 

Skillsroad website for career exploration

The Skillsroad website allows you to do a career quiz, explore occupations and industries and learn about study and training pathways. The ‘Apply for Jobs’ section provides information about job search skills.

 

What about apprenticeships & traineeships?

Apprenticeships and traineeships are often viewed as less prestigious but there can be substantial benefits for those who take this pathway.

 

Results from a recent survey show that completing an apprenticeship or traineeship can really pay off:

  • 87.7% of apprentices and trainees who complete their training are employed afterwards
  • Completers who secure full-time work earn a median annual income of $59,600, which is $12,700 more than those who don't complete
  • Outcomes are even better for those who complete a trade apprenticeship, with 91.5% employed after training and 84.2% in full-time work with a median annual income of $62,800

VET can provide an ‘express pathway’ to full-time work, with 97.4% of those who followed Pathway 2 in this study in work at age 25 — the highest of any of the 5 pathways.

 

Another report shows that students who undertake school-based apprenticeships and traineeships are among the most likely to be in full-time permanent employment five years later.

Be competitive in the Job market and get that job

JobJumpstart has put together videos to assist you on how to be competitive in the job market:

  • Part 1: Get to know yourself – the first step is to essentially know yourself when it comes to your work preferences and your understanding of what’s out there
  • Part 2: What do Employers Want – the second step is to have the ability to demonstrate your skills to an employer. This includes letting them know your job-specific skills, personal qualities and strengths and your knowledge of their business
  • Part 3: You Got This! – the final step is to take action. Asking for feedback, setting goals and asking advice will help you tailor your approach to make you a standout applicant.

Five Reasons Why You Must Learn to Learn

The ability to learn is the most critical skill for everyone everywhere to develop. In our age of rapid innovation, unbelievable disruption and constant change, learning provides inoculation and inspiration by building skills, enhancing curiosity and shifting perspectives. Five reasons why you must learn to learn are:

  • Learning builds resilience
  • Learning fosters innovation
  • earning drives results
  • Learning activates change
  • Learning = Learning

Looking to start up your own business?

The SelfStart website provides an online hub created to support young people in exploring and developing their ideas into a successful business. The site can help you connect to existing services and programs and provide you with the information you need to set up your own business. For more information about the Department’s strategies for helping young entrepreneurs, visit the Department’s website.

 

Sustainability - How to land a job protecting the planet: do the groundwork

With concerns about the climate crisis becoming more urgent, many are predicting major growth in jobs that involve protecting our environment. But with more graduates wanting those roles, it’s a really competitive sector. Students need to prepare well if they want to work in sustainability. Volunteering, internships and communication skills help you stand out. Click here to read the fill article published but The Guardian.

 

Top 20 most needed jobs in Australia

The job market has been through big upheavals in 2020 – and that’s impacted which industries have the most demand for new workers. Huge pressure on the healthcare system and a growth in parcel delivery during COVID-19 are two key factors shaping the most-needed roles in Australia right now. Click here for a snapshot of the top 20 most-needed roles, plus what employers in these industries will be looking for in applications. 

 

The top three most needed jobs are:

  • Nursing - all roles
  • Warehousing, storage and distribution
  • Aged and disability support

AIS Local Sporting Champions program

This program provides financial assistance for young people aged 12 – 18 years towards the cost of participating as an athlete, coach or match official in either:

  • an official state championship (endorsed by the relevant national sporting organisation)
  • an official national championship (endorsed by the relevant national sporting organisation); or
  • an international competition as a member of an official Australian team

Applications are now open and close on 30th September for Round 2 of the 2020 - 2021 allocation year.

A stress management mind set

  1. Focus on what you can control and do it well - try not to spend emotional energy on what is out of your control
  2. Give yourself credit when it is due - we don't get everything right all the time but own the wins
  3. You don't have to solve everyone else's problems - manage yourself well and you will be a good friend
  4. Don't get or keep being sucked into believing everything you read or see on social media - it's all too often 'just a made-up story'
  5. What you think is how you are - watch the self-talk or the conversations in your head that you have with yourself. We are too often our own worst critics. Listen to the positive voice.
  6. Make sure that you have regular 'Me Time' - time to just sit and unwind and do something you like doing

Brush up on your study skills

ANU have put together some new ideas to help with your academic work. There are a range of resources, tips and ideas to help you make the transition into university study. There is something here for everyone no matter your College or your level of study. 

 

Find out about:

  • Becoming a scholar
  • Time management
  • Researching
  • Reading strategies
  • Note-taking
  • Participating in classes
  • English language
  • Group work Sills workshops