Careers News

Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

Year 10 Senior Education and Training Plan (SETP) conversations will be starting with students and parents/carers next week. This is an excellent opportunity for students to look at pathways for next year and beyond. Although students are still learning about subjects options the discussion will help to provide direction and review opportunities. The interviews will be over Zoom or the phone with parents/carers and the student coming to my office this term – Yr 10 families will be receiving a PTO invitation through email. Please select a time and date that suits. The SETP interview is initially 10-15 mins and then there is the opportunity to continue conversations around subject selection after this time.

The Year 10 QTAC pre-requisite guide for university entry in 2023 will be at this link shortly (if not there already) https://www.qtac.edu.au/about-us/publications. This guide outlines the subjects required for entry into university entrance in 2023.

Year 10 Work Experience have new dates- it will be held in Week 7 Term 3 – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday (24, 25, 26 & 28 August). On Thursday 27th all Year 10 students will be attending the rescheduled BLA Careers and Education Expo. VPG will be working to place our students again. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, a number of businesses who were taking students are no longer operating or no longer in a situation where they can take another person into their business. We are looking for employers who can support our Year 10 students during this week.

The Year 12 QTAC guide is also available at https://www.qtac.edu.au/about-us/publications - the 2021 will be uploaded any day. This is where students, who are considering university, can research options for 2021.

Skills you may not know about

It is hard to find information about jobs and skills. Skills1NEtv is a site where you will find hundreds of videos about getting a trade or skills. Some short clip videos that you can access now are:

VET pathways: The 7 biggest myths about vocational education and training (VET)

Many of the perceptions people have of VET are not based on fact. The Foundation for Young Australians found that the following myths are commonly held by people. Click here to find out why the following are all myths.

Myth 1: VET is just for trades

Myth 2: Studying VET subjects in high school means you can't get an entry score or ATAR for university

Myth 3: VET is the option for low academic scores

Myth 4: VET is a dead-end choice

Myth 5: VET graduates can't get a job

Myth 6: VET graduates earn low wages

Myth 7: Jobs for the future need more than a VET education

Australian Defence Force information sessions

If you are interested in the Australian Defence Force, it's a good idea to attend one of the information sessions and consider a work experience placement. You will get a better idea about the life and jobs in the Defence Force. For details about these events and for Army Reserve Information visit the Defence Jobs Australia Facebook site. The following information video session are online:

You can also register to attend the following virtual information sessions: (it will take up to 30 seconds to connect)

01/06/2020 ADF Careers Dial in information session

09/06/2020 Northern NSW Army Reserves Virtual Information Session

10/06/2020 Queensland: ADFA Virtual Information Session

12/06/2020 Careers for Indigenous Australians Virtual Information Session

15/06/2020 ADF Careers Virtual Information Session

15/06/2020 Commando Virtual Information Session

Defence 2020 Gap Year closing soon

A gap year with the Airforce, Army or Navy is a great way to trial a career in the ADF and you get paid to do it! Jobs have different closing dates in June and July. Visit the website for information about closing dates and:

Defence Force roles that still have vacancies
Frequently asked questions
Is the ADF Gap Year for me?
How much you will earn?
Benefits of an ADF Gap year

How do I apply for the Defence 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, visit a recruitment centre or call 13 19 01
YOU (Your Opportunities Unlimited) Session
Attend Assessment Session
Attend Officer Selection (if you are wanting this pathway)
Take a Fitness Test
Attend Enlistment and Appointment day.

Want to become an officer in the Australian Defence Force (ADF)?

There are many different pathways to becoming an officer in the ADF. Explore the following options:

2020 Good Careers Guide now available

The Good Careers Guide (GCG) provides information on over 400 jobs and related entry pathways. It also includes tips on career exploration, financial assistance and job seeking

skills. In the 2020 edition, you will be able to locate:

Find out more at The Good Universities Guide website

6 steps to following your passion

When researching jobs people often tell you to ‘follow your passion’. But what does this actually mean? Some people seem to know their passion right from the get-go, but don’t worry if that’s not you, or if your passion isn’t career related. ‘Following your passion’ can come down to figuring out what you enjoy or love doing, then finding ways to bring this into your future job. You might research an industry you really care about, a job with more activities or tasks you enjoy and/or finding a project you find satisfying to do. Whether it’s through a bigger change or a small one, finding what you’re passionate about and pursuing it can make your working life more fulfilling. Seek suggests six key steps:

A different way of looking at the 'What Do I Want To Do Question'

Asking questions about career direction in the right order is essential for positive outcomes. Understanding that all of your “doing” will take care of itself if you settle the issue of “being” first. Tim Elmore suggests that the following questions should be considered before ‘what I want to be’.

1. Who: Who do you want to be? What kind of person are you becoming?

2. Why: Why do you even exist? What will be your purpose?

3. What: What do you plan to do in light of this? What will be your work?

4. When: When will you be ready to start? Are you ready to take a first step?

5. Where: Where is the best place to fulfill these goals?

Wise people know to prioritize “who” before “what” and “why” before “what.” Today's society pushes us to produce, to get results, to make money, to appear successful … but knowing yourself well and liking yourself is more important.

Career road test

It's hard to sort through your ideas and options for study and jobs in your future. 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.

Most young people who do VET after school are in full-time work by the age of 25

School News Australia published an article looking at employment outcomes for students who went on to gain VET qualifications. They say that more than 80% of young adults who did a short spell of post-school education or training (such as a certificate or diploma), or went directly into work and were in full-time work by the time they were 25. This was compared to 64% of those who studied at university first. Click here to read the full article.

Occupations can be in many different 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 other industries. In the Healthcare and Social Assistance industry, cooks are found in hospitals, childcare centres and aged care facilities. By understanding how flexible an occupation can be, you can broaden your options. This increases your chances of finding the right career pathway. For information on different occupations, visit Job Outlook at joboutlook.gov.au. For information on apprenticeships and traineeships, visit AAPathways.

The best universities in Health Services and Support Review

The health services and support field is a broad one, encompassing many professions relating to health and welfare. Roles in this field include surgery, family support work, public policy, disability care, education and many others. Degrees in this field are not always named as such and many will be listed as specialisations, such as a Bachelor of Nutrition or Bachelor of Public Health. While some health science degrees are quite broad, many will be focused on preparing you for a specific occupation; for example, paramedic, radiographer or oral surgeon. Click here to read more from the Good Universities Guide review.

What types of institutions can I study at?

There's a lot to think about when you decide on tertiary study, such as which course interests you and which study mode will best fit your lifestyle, just to name a couple. Most important is choosing the type of education provider. Each institution is unique and you can be certain that each will deliver your chosen course in a different way and with a distinctive flavour. Click here to find out more, including the types of tertiary institutions and how to choose an institution and campus.

5 things employers wish they could say about your cover letter

When it comes to job applications, cover letters are crucial. They introduce you to the employer and tell them how the experience outlined in your resume makes you a great match for their position. Click here to read more about the five things Sian Havard, would like to tell you about your cover letter, so that you can write a winning one:

Your cover letter might not always be the first thing looked at, but if your application doesn't have one, your're putting yourself at a disadvantage
Keep it brief
Get to the point
Don't just regurgitate your resume
Know who you're talking to

A Job you may not have known about - Organisational psychologist, Optical Mechanics or Outdoor Adventure Instructors

Organisational Psychologists apply psychological principles and techniques to study occupational behaviour, working conditions and organisational structure, and solve problems of work performance and organisational design.

Optical Mechanics operate machines to grind, polish and surface optical lenses to meet prescription requirements, and fit lenses to spectacle frames. You can work as an Optical Mechanic without formal qualifications however, they may be useful. Training is available through VET (Vocational Education and Training).

Outdoor Adventure Instructors also known as Outdoor Adventure Leader provide adventure-based experiential education in outdoor adventure and bush craft such as abseiling, adventure challenge, hang-gliding, outdoor pursuits, paragliding, rock climbing instructors and outdoor education teacher. You can work as an Outdoor Adventure Instructor without formal qualifications and on the job training may be provided. A course in outdoor recreation might be helpful.

Benefits of a part time job while you are studying your QCE

Art of Smart Deciding writes that whether or not to have a part time job during the HSC (QCE/ATAR in Queensland) can seem like a pretty big deal. The question is: studying or juggling work and school? Before you make any decisions, they give you some pointers on the pros and cons of a part time job and ways to handle and manage a part time job while studying for your QCE/ATAR). Click here to read the article.

Future outlook

Australian jobs are changing as new technologies are introduced, businesses find new ways of working and as we respond to challenges like COVID-19. This will lead to new jobs being created and new skills may be needed for existing jobs. When you’re thinking about work and study options, it can be helpful to understand the jobs available now and in the future, skills needed for jobs that interest you and how you like to work. Job Outlook has information on:

Jobs now and in the future
Finding jobs that use my skills
Finding work you enjoy

Places to search for jobs

There are lots of ways to look for and find a job and you should be investigating all of them at the same time. The following are some of the sources you could use. The following information came from a myfuture article.

Job board websites – These feature jobs advertised by employers and employment agencies. They usually allow you to search for jobs by keyword, occupation, location or employment type (e.g. full-time, part-time, casual). On some of the sites you can create a profile and upload your resume so employers can contact you if they have a job that might suit you, eg: Job Active, Seek, Adzuna, Apprenticeship Central, Indeed, and Spot Jobs.com.

Company and organisation websites - Companies, organisations and government departments often advertise vacancies on their websites. Look for the ‘Careers’ or ‘About us’ section on the homepage.

LinkedIn - This has emerged as an important platform for finding job vacancies. Companies, organisations and government departments all advertise jobs on LinkedIn. You can create a career profile and LinkedIn will use information from your profile to show you jobs you may be interested in.

Networking – Have you heard the saying ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’? That’s networking. There are formal networking events (e.g. Career and Employment expos) but you can also use your local and personal networks formed through school, community involvement, sport or hobbies. Let people know you are looking for a job. They may know an employer who is looking for a worker. Youth Central website for networking tips.

Group Training Organisations - These employ apprentices and trainees and place them with ‘host employers’. Group Training Australia has more information.

Newspapers - Daily, weekly, local, state and national newspapers usually have job advertisements on some days. The jobs are usually grouped by profession and industry but look through all sections as the job you want may be in a different section from the one you expect. The Saturday Courier Mail has a Jobs and Careers section.

Noticeboards - Noticeboards can be a source for local jobs, often based on a casual or part-time work arrangement. Keep an eye out for job vacancy notices in places like shop windows, shop counters, community noticeboards (often found at supermarkets, libraries and shopping centres) and/or outside factory gates.

The Australian Border Force (ABF)

The ABF is the operational arm of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It manages the flow of people and goods across Australia’s border. ABF officers are located at all international airports and seaports around Australia. They also have a Marine Unit which responds to reported or suspected border incidents and illegal activity in Australian waters. Find our more about the ABF including:

What is the Jobs Hub?

Jobs Hub is a central portal for job seekers looking to link with employers who are currently hiring. The hub is broken into these sections:

Working in the water industry

The H2Oz website provides descriptions of jobs in the water industry in the following fields: Science and Environment; Engineering; Operations, Maintenance and Trades; Communication and Education; Policy and Planning; Corporate Services.

Virtual Field Trip Apps and Websites

Field trips are informal learning experiences that get you out into the world, exploring the world and your interests. During field trips, you will discover new things and learn in authentic environments. These field trip tools can offer you inspiring and intriguing experiences so visit the website and see what you can discover about museums, parks, historical sites, and more.

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”, “breathe”, “I can manage this” …

Idea 4: Use distracting – 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 or make an appointment to see your family doctor. They will all have great ideas to assist you to move forward positively and confidently.

Study skill tips from USQ

The Social Hub on the University of Southern Queensland’s website has lots of study skill tips. While the tips are written for university students, you will find them helpful for your high school studies. The following are links to a selection of the study skill tips on the site.

Tips to smash your study

Whilst we all know we think we have to ‘hustle’ to get where we want to go in life; study, completing assignments, group projects and preparing for exams can be very unappealing. So here are our tips to keep motivated and moving towards your study goals. Megan Buxton from TAFE Queensland has seven helpful tips. Click here to read more about:

Establish your study environment
Download helpful Apps to keep you on track
Form a support team of 'study buddies' consisting of classmates, and other TAFE/school staff and services
Schedule your assessment
Start on assessment early if possible and progress
Share the study load
Celebrate when you have submitted