Recently we have had guest speakers from residential colleges in Brisbane, Doctors from Cairns Orthopaedics, some of our students got to attend the Young Entrepreneur Summit and the Leadership breakfast. We have a ‘futurist’ visiting the college next week and then in week 10, interested Year 12s are attending JCU and we have guest speakers from Bond University, Emmanuel College (UQ residential option) and a nurse and midwife coming to speak to interested students.

Term 3 is a busy one for our year 10s deciding on pathways after this year. Do they want to start full time work or TAFE? Do they want to continue with schooling? If they continue with school, then what are the best choice of subjects? Students will be able to look at 5 days of school classes each week or possibly do a VET program which is 3 days of school classes and 1 day training and 1 day working (or 2 days as a school-based apprentice/trainee). There is lots of information and discussions to be had. We are holding a Subject Expo on the 11th of July (Tuesday of Week 1) where students and families can meet with teachers in the various subject areas to ask questions. Year 10s and families will be having an information session starting 5:30pm for additional information on senior pathways at St Mary’s Catholic College.

Career option for 2024

The Department of Home Affairs is pleased to present an opportunity for current Year 12 and 13 students who are exploring the option of a ‘Gap Year’ in 2024. It will have comprehensive on the job training, mentoring and further development opportunities through the 12 months; and offer the opportunity at the end of the program to continue with Home Affairs through a part time APS3 internship program while completing tertiary studies. Positions will be located at various national offices across Australia. Applications are NOW OPEN. Students can click HERE to apply. Closes July 2nd.

GAP year in Agriculture - for more information visit https://agcareerstart.com.au Did you know there were 365 000 jobs across the agricultural supply chain. For more information on the industry visit https://www.careerharvest.com.au/qff-careersinag

Defence 2023 Gap Year opportunities are still available

A gap year with the Air Force, Army or Navy is a good way to trial a career in the ADF and you get paid to do it! Jobs have different closing dates so visit the website for information about available GAP year jobs, closing dates and:

Defence Force opportunities
Helpful information
Eligibility and joining
Lifestyle, pay and leave
Life after ADF Gap Year

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Snapshot

Australian Apprenticeship and Traineeships Information services have put together a snapshot for those wanting more information. Before you get started you should familiarise yourself with how the Australian Apprenticeships will work. This will help you prepare for taking on an apprenticeship or traineeship. Click here for more information on: Tips for new apprentices; Support organisation; About the training; Wages and financial information; Pathways post apprenticeship.

Create a My Pathways Hub Account

The Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site has some useful resources that will support your career research including the My Pathway Hub. You can click here for more information and to set up an account. Some of the benefits of having a the My Pathways Hub account include:

Save key resources to your profile, including favourite Job & Training Descriptions with links to their Job Pathways Chart 
Save and track quiz results over time, including the Career Interest Explorer and Literacy & Numeracy quizzes 
Track how close students are to starting an apprenticeship with the Australian Apprenticeships Readiness Quiz 
Great for use with students and job hunters to keep a record of their journey through the AAPathways website 
Perfect if you’re working in the Australian Apprenticeships industry and would like to have all your Job & Training Descriptions in one place

Videos about getting a trade or skill at your fingertips!

Finding it hard to find information about jobs and skills? At skills1netv there are great feature videos, most popular videos and videos highlighting a particular skill set. Other videos focus on the skills required in fourteen different industry areas. They are full of valuable information and can give you some excellent ideas. Click here to see what's on offer

Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force - Is it for you?

Are you thinking Air Traffic Controller may be an option for you but don't think you have the skills. Put your skills to the test with the Australian Defence Force's Step Up Your Game skills test. Give it a go as you may surprise yourself! Click here and scroll down the page to Step Up Your Game.

How do I apply for the Defence Force?

The ADF recruitment process is designed to ensure you have the qualities needed, while helping you identify the ideal role in the Navy, Army or Air Force. Visit the Defence Recruitment website to find out if you are eligible to join and to access the six steps in the recruitment process. Each step has a video that explains what happens during the step. The six steps are:

Apply online with your personal details, academic achievements and job preferences (if you have them)
Attend virtual YOU (Your Opportunities Unlimited) Session
Attend Assessment Session - medical assessment, psychological interview, ADF interview
Attend Officer Selection (if you are wanting this pathway)
Take a Fitness Test
Attend Enlistment and Appointment day

On the site you will also find information videos that will answer many of your questions along with information on:

Quick eligibility check - use this tool to see if you can join
Health and fitness - learn how fit you must be
ADF entry methods - choose the way you want to join
Help centre - have your questions and queries answered

Be up to date with your career and job info

Sign up to myfuture (its free) and get career information sent straight to your inbox. By having a myfuture account and checking the box to receive up-to-date career information about occupations, courses, career pathways, subject selections, open days you will receive current information that will assist you in your career research and decision making.

Build your skills, build your resume

Everyone has a metaphorical ‘skills bucket’ they carry with them throughout their life and career. Your bucket is full of skills you may have picked up at school, in different jobs, or even life situations. Ever wondered how many skills you have in your bucket? These could include:

Time management – obtained at school when you were learning how to prioritise study with completing assignments, or in the workplace when you managed several tasks with competing deadlines.
Self-motivation – gained through completing a VET qualification, university degree or traineeship.
Enhanced communication – achieved by undertaking additional training courses or navigating relationships in your personal life.

Your Career has published an article where you can find out about:

Taking stock of your skills; Adding to your skills bucket list; Skills for the Digital Age

Career road test

It's hard to sort through your ideas and options for study and jobs in your future. JobJumpstart suggest that when buying a car, most people will shop around, look at different models and do a few test drives before making a decision. You can take the same approach when it comes to making decisions about your career. The Australian Government has developed a workbook that will help you investigate your chosen industry or occupation and then to think about how your research impacts on your career plans. Click here to access the booklet and start planning.

Occupations V Industries

'Occupation’ is a word that refers to the type of work a person does, for example, a doctor, teacher or cabinet maker. 'Industry’ refers to the main goods and services that are produced by a person’s employer. Most occupations can be found in a number of industries. For example, while many cooks work in the Accommodation and Food Services industry, cooks are also employed in the Healthcare and Social Assistance industry in hospitals, childcare centres, Defence Force and aged care facilities. By understanding how flexible an occupation can be, you can broaden your options and increase your chances of finding the right career pathway. For information on different occupations, visit myfuture and for information on apprenticeships and traineeships, visit AAPathways.

Top five ATAR questions answered

If you are finishing school this year, there’s no doubt that your ATAR result is on your mind. You're thinking, “what do I do if I don’t get the score I expected”? To give you some perspective The Good Universities Guide has answered some of the most common questions school leavers have at this time of the year including:

What can I do if my ATAR is too low?
What if I can't get into Uni?
What are pathways?
Should I change my preferences?
Am I eligible for special entry schemes?

VET Pathways aren't limited to the Trades only!

Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications include certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas offered across a large number of industries and study areas. They offer many advantages from pathway options to skill development. If you fit into one of the categories below, find out more about VET courses that could be an excellent next step:

You’re looking for practical, hands-on training
You’re looking to qualify for a specific job or trade
You’re looking to ‘try out’ a study area before you commit to extensive study
You’re looking for a pathway to university study
You’re looking to add to your current skill set

The article from the Good Universities Guide explains:

What does VET offer? What does VET involve? Types of VET courses; VET entry requirements; Where are VET courses offered? VET study options

Will a career test tell me what I should do?

It would certainly make career decision making easier, wouldn’t it but it’s not that simple! However, there are many tests that can help identify your career interests, work values, skills, aptitudes, personality, etc. at the point in time when you do the tests. While there isn’t just one ideal job for you, assessment quizzes can increase your self-awareness and usually provide you with a list of possible jobs based on how you responded to the quiz questions. This information can be used to begin your career exploration. The following quizzes are examples of assessment tools you can use to come up with job ideas. You can talk to your school Guidance Counsellor/Officer and ask them about quizzes they recommend helping you begin your career exploration.

myfuture – My career profile (Sign up when first entering this site - its free).
Industry Insights
Skills Road - Career quiz
Jung Personality Test – This is a personality test.
Career Interest Explorer – The focus is jobs that require VET qualifications.
Labour Market Insights – the quiz identifies your preferred work styles and suggests careers based on your preferences
Australian Apprenticeships Pathways - Find My Work type quizzes

Attitude V Experience - which is more valuable?

Looking for a job while at school or after school can be hard work especially when you are needing to record your 'experience' in your resume. It can even turn you off applying. Having a good attitude and a willingness to learn can make you more attractive to employers than someone who has plenty of experience but comes across as bored, jaded or disinterested. Seek has put together a short article about how a good attitude can matter more than experience. They talk about:

Most employers choose passion over experience
Your positive attitude can transform a workplace
Employers are looking for people who add to the culture
How to build a positive attitude
How to demonstrate a great attitude to employers

Being job ready and successful in gaining a job takes time, research and personal reflection. Start the process now so when you are in the right place for a great job you are ready to shine at the interview!

Jobs Hub

It can be difficult knowing where to start when you are looking for work in an industry you don't have much experience in. Click here for information about entry-level jobs including descriptions of industries, tasks involved in entry-level work, entry-level prerequisites, advice on how to tailor your job application and interview tips. The entry level jobs you can find out about include:

Work while you study

Gain relevant real-world experience and valuable soft skills by working part-time, undertaking an internship or volunteering for causes close to your heart. Education isn’t simply about what you learn in the classroom. Working part-time while you study is a good way to both expand your life skills and offset the associated costs. Click here to read more about the advantages of working while you study including:

Soft skills and their importance
Types of soft skills
Volunteering, internships and working for free
Internships
Volunteer
Working for free
Meet an intern: Amy

Tertiary Access Payment (TAP)

TAP is a payment to help students with the cost of moving from regional or remote areas for tertiary study and is a one off payment of up to $5,000. This is for study after you’ve finished year 12 or equivalent. Regional areas are places that aren’t in or near a major city. You can check if your family home is in a regional or remote area using the Student Regional Area Search. To get the payment you need to meet some rules including:

moving from a regional or remote area for tertiary study
starting tertiary study in the year after finishing year 12 or equivalent.

Click here for more information, who can get it and how to make a claim

Academy of Modern Languages - School Holiday Program

The Department of Education Queensland in partnership with James Cook University are offering students in Years 6 to 12 the online opportunity to practice their language skills: Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish (Years 10 to 12 only). The program runs for one week, providing an intensive language learning experience. You'll learn through interactive lessons, cultural activities and immersion in the language. Click here to find out more and to apply.

Year 12 post school information management

If you are in Year 12, you are strongly advised to start a folder of information you will need later in the year and early next year. Keep it in your room and add to it during the year. Items that could be placed in this folder include:

Learning Unique Identifier (LUI) number and password for your Learning Account so you can access your Year 12 results early. You will also be required to know your LUI to complete your QTAC application.
Tax File Number (TFN), which you will need when applying for a HELP loan next year. You also need a TFN if you want to be paid for a full-time or part-time job.
Unique Student Identifier (USI) A USI is your individual education number for life. Without one, you can't get Commonwealth financial assistance or your qualification or statement of attainment.
The QTAC Guide, which you will receive in June or can access online at QTAC website.
Course, job and tertiary entry information you gather at career markets/expos, institution open days, TSXPO, etc.
The list of courses you are considering (if you haven’t a clue, make an appointment to see me ASAP!!).
Handouts on tertiary entry you are given at Year 12 assemblies, expos and lunchtime talks.
Information about available scholarships and tips for submitting a great application.
Additional qualifications you might wish to submit as part of your QTAC application and/or portfolio particularly if applying for EAS
Any other information related to your plans for 2024.

Ideas to assist you with managing panic and reducing anxiety

Idea 1: When you are starting to panic remember this is an exaggerated physical reaction to stress. The feelings are unpleasant, but you can cope with them … breath!

Idea 2: Concentrate on your breathing – Breathe three deep breaths in and out slowly closing your eyes (when possible) as you do it … repeat until your heart rate is settled.

Idea 3: Watch your thinking. Say in your head statements like: “It’s OK”, “I can cope”, “breath”, “I can manage this” …

Idea 4: Use distracting techniques – count backwards from 100 or describe a painting to yourself or remember a happy time

Idea 5: Tell yourself that this is just one point in time and it will pass …

It is important to think in positive words to yourself. Everyone gets stressed and can panic but learning how to manage it will make the panic become less frequent. Always remember to back yourself. If you are finding managing your stress and/or panic difficult, speak with your school guidance officer, school counsellor or make an appointment to see your family doctor. They will all have great ideas to assist you to move forward positively and confidently.

Something to think about

Learning is the first essential skill to achieve any change. Learn to ask more patient questions, not only of other people and situations, but also of yourself. Learn how to seek out, hunt down and dig deeper for even better answers. There are rarely right and wrong answers to life's bigger questions, there are only ideas and solutions that are more useful or helpful than the others.

What is procrastination?

Procrastination involves putting off a task or goal and doing something that’s less important instead. It’s important to know that procrastination is a normal part of human behaviour. Although it's a common challenge for many of us, everyone procrastinates at some point or another. Try and remember that procrastination is not “laziness” or a personal flaw!

Nonetheless, if you’re finding that procrastination is repeatedly getting in the way of your progress in study or work or leads to feelings of stress and feeling overwhelmed, there are effective ways to better manage it. Click here to read more from Melbourne Uni about how to manage procrastination and if necessary, speak to your guidance officer or school counsellor who can help with strategies that will help you to avoid procrastinating:

Why do I procrastinate?
How do I stop procrastinating?
What can I do next?

Kind regards

Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Advisor

rambrose@cns.catholic.edu.au

Family Connect Session

Tuesday 20 June