Careers News
Careers News: Pathways
HOW DO THEY WORK? HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT ONE?
As we all know, especially over the last two years, life is unpredictable, and this is especially true in the world of study and careers.
When it comes to preparing for further study it is important to have a few different options you would be willing to consider.
Between the uncertainty around end-of-year results, the capacity of certain courses and the reality that as humans we just change our minds sometimes, having pathway options is a really good idea.
A pathway course is usually taken before you enrol at university. Its main purpose is to give your current qualifications a boost and to prepare you for degree studies; it acts as a stepping stone into a degree program you might not otherwise meet the enrolment requirements for.
Most pathway options will require the completion of a Certificate or Diploma over a six-month to two-year period. The credits from the completed pathway program will often be able to be applied to the degree you want to enrol in and can sometimes allow you to start that degree with advance standing: meaning you could start the degree in the second year of the program. Pursuing a degree via a pathway option does not always mean it will take you longer to achieve that degree. Some universities are partnered with specific TAFEs or Colleges and will offer guaranteed pathways through the completion of a qualification at these partnered institutions.
It is important to note that enrolling in a degree through a guaranteed pathway will require you to meet a standard in that course to be able to apply for the degree. Deakin, LaTrobe and Monash Universities all have college campuses that offer many pathway options into their degree programs. If you have completed a previous qualification at a TAFE or College that isn’t directly linked to the university, you may still be eligible for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) and may still receive credit for some of your previous studies.
There are many options available to students who maybe don’t have the study scores or the ATAR required for a degree, and students are encouraged to plan a pathway option even if they are feeling confident about their studies.
Our work experience feature for this newsletter is Mehak Dhingra in Year 11 who completed a placement at a dental clinic.
What industry did you work in for your work-experience placement?
I worked in the Dentistry industry
What were the tasks you completed as part of your work-experience placement?
Most of the time I observed the dentists do check-ups on different patients with distinct needs. However, I was invited to see the sterilisation station where they cleaned their instruments regularly. I helped put away the clean instruments back in their designated spots and cleaned the station after every patient with the help of a dental assistant.
What were your favourite tasks that you were required to do? Why?
I really liked it when the dentist asked me to grab a specific instrument from the drawers. First, I would hesitate since I didn’t know what they were but eventually I warmed up and really enjoyed learning the names of the unique instruments.
What is something that surprised you about your placement?
This might seem very vague, but beforehand I thought they used new instruments for every patient, but they sterilise their equipment consistently and re-use them. Also, the instruments are extremely expensive.
Do you think you would enjoy doing further work in this industry?
Yes, this placement taught me a variety of things that I didn’t know. Now I am aware of those things and can successfully recall what they are. If I have to, I would love to go back and do it again.
What is something you took away from your work experience placement?
I learnt that in order to get into the industry you have to work hard and there is a LOT of support you can get from others. You just have to keep trying no matter what and you will make it. The staff in the clinic shared their unique story which inspired me even more to do what I love.
Aviva Mulloy
Careers Advisor
