WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

As I walk over to Mr Eddie Mest's office I'm not sure what to expect as I have not met a Careers Manager before. I'm having this extended Monty Python moment where my mind plays tricks, continually replaying the famous skit of a vocational guidance counsellor (actor John Cleese) interviewing a chartered accountant (actor Michael Palin) for a lion tamer's position. British comedy at its best but it bears no relevance to my interview. Can't get it out of my head.

GET A JOB!

A Careers Manager works with students at the 'pointy end' of their time at school. Ed explains: "Mapping out a life after McKinnon Secondary College can be a mine field and really daunting for teenagers". A careers and tertiary study program is conducted throughout Year 10 to raise students' awareness about the sorts of decisions they will face in the final years of their secondary schooling and help them develop career pathways. This process requires lots of interaction between students, staff, parents and the careers support team.

THE 6 STEP CAREERS IMMERSION PROGRAM

1. Ex-students visit to talk about their experiences in Year 10 and beyond;

2. Presentations by Universities and TAFE outlining courses to motivate students to establish goals;

3. A panel of experts discusses the most popular career options identified in the student interviews (eg; building, media, nursing, engineering, health, art);

4. Learning Area Managers introduce students to VCE units;

5. Term 1 Information Session for parents;

6. Term 3 VCE Information Night. Parents and students can talk to Learning Area Managers and representatives from Universities and TAFE about VCE subject selection.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE...

This year there are three hundred and twenty Year 10 students. Each student is required to complete interviews, careers questionnaires and a 'Myers-Briggs' personality test. The results produce report portfolios titled "My Personal Learning and Career Pathway Plan" - these form the basis of a 40 minute individual interview to explore various career options. The report then goes home for family discussion.

Work experience is offered to give students the opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience as to the nature of the work. Students are also given information and assistance to produce effective applications and résumés.

All report portfolios are kept at school and students are always encouraged to re-visit their plans even many years after leaving school. I get the impression that when an ex-student knocks on his door Ed welcomes them with open arms!

Each Year 11 and 12 student is also supported throughout the year and the careers team helps any students struggling with their studies to try to explore appropriate options and pathways.

The message is consistent, loud and clear: planning for your career might be a life-long process!

How does Ed keep abreast of current information to pass on to his teenage students? "I'm bombarded with booklets, brochures, newsletters etc. and there are a lot of external meetings but I only invest my time in what's best for my students".

Early in the conversation I ask Ed: "How can you prepare students for jobs that haven't been invented yet?" He's possibly heard this question one thousand times before so his response is swift and direct: "Ultimately it's about learning to make good decisions in life. An original career choice may not be forever. We want to offer them travel tips for a smoother journey; to help them to get to where they want to go".

So who is this guy Eddie Mest - this relaxed, dependable, affable careers manager?

"We were the original boat people. After World War 2 my parents wanted a better life. I was two years old when we relocated from Poland to Australia by ship. We landed in Sydney but my parents decided to move to Melbourne for the cooler climate".

Ed attended Melbourne High School. He fesses up to being a real 'Smart Alec' at school. "I was able to get away with a lot because my parents didn't speak English very well. Now I've been a teacher for years, so there is such a thing as karma!"

During high school, Ed worked at the family milk bar and later at the Victoria Market clothing business owned by his Dad. He and his beloved Dad looked forward to the quiet times 'between customers' when they could sit down and solve the problems of the world together. Later at University Ed had holiday jobs, usually physical labouring.

Lucky Ed had several memorable teachers who inspired him. He caught his love of reading from his Grade 2 library teacher. "I realised early in life that an education can take you places". When Ed left school he travelled for a long time whilst he considered his future. He wanted to do something that he could be proud of. Teaching appealed to Ed. He believed that it was an honourable profession.

Relocating from a school in Brunswick, Ed commenced teaching at McKinnon Secondary College last century- well 1989 to be exact!

Originally he taught economics and media studies, now he's immensely proud of the work of his Careers Department which he describes as 'resource expensive'. He's thankful that it's supported wholeheartedly by the Principal.

Although he brings a wealth of experience to his role Ed suggests: "With kids it's not how much you know, it's how much you care."

DID YOU KNOW?

* Ed married 'the girl next door'. Although Ed met his wife Faye in Australia they were both born in Poland not far from each other. Ed came from Lodz and his wife from Warsaw. He describes his wife as his 'soulmate';

* Ed's two sons attended McKinnon Secondary College;

* All the Mest family birthdays are in October/early November. Their friends refer to the weeks of celebrations as 'The Mest Fest'!;

* According to a recent report from VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) 80% of McKinnon students say the careers advice they received was most useful and action plans prepared by McKinnon Secondary College students numbered 20% more than the state average for Victoria;

* On a recent trip back to his homeland, Ed started speaking fluent Polish for the first time in fifty years!

Mr. & Mrs. Mest taking the hot air balloon ride that Ed won at a careers expo!

Ed derives enjoyment from travel, movies, reading and gardening. "Life is good. My health is good. I count my blessings".

Next year he's switching to part time work. He would like to develop more hobbies, perhaps take up golf again and do some volunteer work. He's committed to staying healthy by eating well and exercising. His heart's desire is to see his family remain happy and healthy.

I think Ed must have had excellent career advice in his younger days, after all he's been teaching for many years and on staff at McKinnon for over 23 years. He laments: "When I left school I didn't have any of the advice I give to my students nowadays..."

I'm confused as to whether Ed may have missed his true vocation. I found the photo (below) of Ed and another two colleagues who were moonlighting as waiters at a recent Thistlelonian school reunion. These 'Three Muscat-eers' were observed to be drinking more than they were selling. Ed's version of events? "We had to make sure it was fit for human consumption!" They served drinks whilst entertaining guests with their funny accents and Monty Python-esque antics. (Well fancy that...Ed doesn't mind a good drop of red and he's actually a huge Monty Python fan!)

You can tell by this photo that Ed is good fun to be around

Whereas thousands of his ex-students have ventured into interesting and successful careers, Ed reports that so far not a single student has shown a desire to become a lion tamer! I have no doubt if a pupil were to make such an unusual request Ed would bend over backwards to make sure it could happen.

"About 8 years ago a student was absolutely determined to become a lawyer even though he had poor study habits and consequently low academic results. But he persisted. I bumped into him at last year's reunion function. He said to me 'I bet you don't remember my name?' I said no, but I do remember your dream".

Lee Collie

Public Relations Officer