Rebecca Ambrose

Careers Counsellor | Teacher

We have had great feedback on our Year 10s and their work experience program last term. Congratulations to our students for their enthusiasm, effort and attitude to the experience. We thank staff for the many visits, the employers for having our students and of course families who had to juggle the change (at the end of a busy term). Overwhelmingly the response has been positive, and we thank all students for their feedback. There are always some placements that are not as inspiring as others however our students made the most out of their time. Many students received offers of casual work because of their week which is illustrative of just how well they did in the workplace.

Year 12 girls had the opportunity to meet with Ms Michelle Allan, Head of College, Duchesne Residential College at the University of QLD. Interested students can visit http://www.duchesne.uq.edu.au for more information. We have several students residing there currently whilst undertaking their university studies.

Senior Education and Training Plan conversations will be starting soon for our Year 10 families. We will be using the PTO systems and families can choose either Zoom or Face to Face meetings this year. Information will be coming to students and families soon about these appointments.

Group Training Organisations (GTOs) in Queensland can organise employment

GTOs employ apprentices and trainees and place them with a host employer until the apprenticeship or traineeship has been completed. Some GTOs provide apprenticeships and traineeships in specific industries, others provide them across many industries. For more information about GTOs, visit the Group Training Australia website.

Looking for information about apprenticeships and traineeships?

Apprenticeship Central is a job search site where apprentices and employers can connect, specifically dedicated to apprenticeships and Traineeships in Australia. Its aim is to provide a space for users to search for opportunities and also connects job seekers with employers. If you are looking for an apprenticeship or traineeship you can register and be notified of current vacancies.

The website has a Resources section where you can find information on creating a resume, videos and blogs, what's the best career fit and frequently asked questions.

MEGT online Job Board

MEGT provide employment and training options for school students and school leavers. They have an online Job Board listing school based apprentice and trainee opportunities.

How a plumber ended up hanging out with penguins in Antarctica

ABC Everyday wrote an article about how plumber, Todd Heery found himself working at Australia's Mawson Station in Antarctica. Click here to find out how he did it.

Get fit and pass the Australian Defence Force (ADF) fitness test

Many competitive applicants miss out on their ADF career opportunity because they don’t meet the pre-enlistment fitness assessment. During the application process you’ll be assessed through (1) completion of a questionnaire relating to your medical history, (2) a physical examination, and (3) a Pre-entry Fitness Assessment (PFA). During the PFA you’ll need to be able to complete a specified number of exercises. It's vital that you continue to maintain an appropriate level of fitness throughout your application process (playing school and club sport usually doesn’t make you fit enough). Are you fit to join the Australian Defence Force brochure will assist you to start preparing for the ADF fitness assessment.

Looking at being a pilot in the Australian Defence Force!

The Defence Jobs website (scroll down) has information about being a pilot in the Air Force. You can find out: An overview of the job; Pilot pathway; Salary; Services and benefits; Full job details. You will also be able to see Explore the Air Force in 360.

Upcoming Australian Defence Force Information Sessions

Stay informed about important upcoming Queensland and National ADF events and information sessions by visiting the Defence Jobs website. View the specific events information link for more details and to book your tickets. Further information about these events and Army Reserve Information Sessions can be accessed on the ADF Facebook site.

Explore VET options with myfuture

VET provides flexible training and qualification pathways to a wide range of occupations. To help you with information to support your exploration of VET, Myfuture recently compiled links to a range of key VET resources and organisations. Explore their new VET page here.

Have you heard of Barbers, Biochemists or Bloggers, Critics, Sports and Other Writers

Barbers and hairdressers cut, style, colour, straighten and permanently wave hair, and treat hair and scalp conditions. You need a certificate III or IV in hairdressing or barbering to work as a Barber or Hairdresser. These courses are often completed as part of an apprenticeship.

Biochemists study the biochemistry of living organisms and the molecular structure and function of related components. They can specialise as Enzyme Chemist and Protein Chemist. You need a bachelor degree in science or applied science majoring in biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical science or a related field to work as a Biochemist. It is also common to complete postgraduate studies.

Bloggers, Critics, Sports and Other Writers (not covered elsewhere) includes jobs like Blogger, Critic, Editorial Assistant, and Photo Journalist. You can work as a Blogger, Critic, Sports or Other Writer (not covered elsewhere) without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. University and Vocational Education and Training (VET) are both common study pathways.

How knowing your values can positively impact your career

An article by Psychologist Sabina Read looked at the importance of values in career decision making. Values shape the career choices we make, but what exactly are values and how can you identify the values that are important to you; those that will positively impact your career? You should know which workplace values are important to you and how they can shape the decisions you make.

Some common values to help you start thinking about what’s important to you are listed below. Ask yourself, which of these values are important to you and whether there are any you want to add.

Adventure: To be adventurous; to actively seek, create, or explore novel or stimulating experiences
Assertiveness: To respectfully stand up for my rights and request what I want
Authenticity: To be authentic, genuine, real; to be true to myself
Caring: To be caring towards myself, others, the environment
Challenge: To keep challenging myself to grow, learn, improve
Cooperation: To be cooperative and collaborative with others
Creativity: To be creative or innovative
Curiosity: To be curious, open-minded and interested; to explore and discover
Fairness: To be fair to myself and others
Humour: To see and appreciate the humorous side of life
Independence: To be self-supportive, and choose my own way of doing things
Open-mindedness: To see things through/from other’s points of view, and weigh evidence fairly
Power: To strongly influence or wield authority over others, e.g. taking charge, leading, organising
Respect: To be respectful towards myself or others; to be polite and show positive regard
Self-development: To keep growing, advancing or improving in knowledge, skills, character, or life experience
Supportiveness: To be supportive, helpful, encouraging and available to myself or others
Trust: To be trustworthy; to be loyal, faithful, sincere and reliable

Click here to read the article and find out more about what values are and why knowing your values is important for career fulfilment.

School subjects and how they relate to job options

An early step in career exploration is to develop a list of jobs you are interested in. One way to start is to think about the school subjects you most enjoy. Accessing the subject Bullseye Posters from the front page of the school careers website – www.smcccareers.com.au will help you find jobs that are related to the subjects you like. There are over 30 Bullseye Posters to check out. Each poster groups jobs into four qualification levels.

CAREERinsite

CAREERinsite is a Canadian website that has several free career planning tools. A way to use this site and tie it into Australian occupational information is:

Scroll down and click on 'I'm a high school student' and read the information
Scroll down and click on ‘Know yourself’ (right hand side of page) and start to build your profile by completing the quizzes. The quizzes can help you identify the job activities you like. The report at the end of the quiz summarises your current personal and job preferences.
Research your job options through Job Outlook and myfuture to get an Australian perspective

Try out these activities and others on the site including:

Plan your career
Explore education and training (don't forget to refer to Job Outlook or myfuture sites for the Australian qualifications and training options
Look at work
Succeed at work

Careers with STEM online magazines

The Careers with STEM website has recently released its 2021 Careers with Science and Careers with Data Science magazines. The magazines are packed full of short articles, information about courses, case studies and activities. You can download them or read them online.

Skillsroad - a career exploration website

Skillsroad has many activities that can help you get started on your career exploration. They include:

Career quiz – Discover your true skills set so you can make the right choice when starting your career journey
Job fit Test – Test yourself against over 300 specific careers to see how well your skills, interests and qualifications stack up
Explore careers – comprehensive information on over 350 jobs
Industry videos – listen to the stories of people already on the job
No Experience No Worries – No matter where you are at in your career journey you will have at the ready information to help you sort through your options.
Explore industries - search careers, top industries, industry videos and a 360 degree virtual workplace

The site also provides information on job seeking skills such as finding a job, preparing for interviews, resume builder and a jobs board. A Work Readiness course can be accessed for a fee from the site and they also have free resources available.

Explore Australia for jobs

On Job Outlook you can Explore Australia and discover how jobs in demand are changing in your local area. When thinking about career options, also consider your own skills, interests and priorities, and remember that employer needs can change quickly. How to get started:

Choose how to explore – by state, region or electorate
Select a location – using the map or list provided (this may take a few seconds to appear)
Learn about the people – age profile, number employed and unemployment rate
Learn about the jobs – largest employing and growing, the skills local employers ask for, industries expected to grow

Job Jump Start website – Ways to explore careers and prepare for work!

The Australian Government, Department of Jobs and Small Business manage Job Jump Start, which provides tips and ideas about jobs and careers. You can start your search from a range of platforms including:

I’m at school
I’m on a Gap Year
I’m at Uni or in Training
I’ve just graduated from Uni or a training course
I’m looking for a job
I’m already working

On the site you will also find lots of great videos under the Resource tab on the top navigation bar. Check them out!

2021 Ratings: The best universities for tourism and hospitality

The field of hospitality includes areas of study such as tourism management, ecotourism, culinary management, international tourism, food studies and management of resorts, restaurants and hotels. With international travel having been disrupted, there has been a boom in domestic tourism. The increasing profile of niche trading sectors such as ecotourism, cultural tourism, wine tourism and sport tourism has created growth in the industry and new markets continue to emerge, including heritage tourism and Indigenous tourism. Courses in this field are largely vocationally oriented, so many require you to work in on-campus training facilities and include compulsory periods of industry placement. Click here to read the Good Universities Guide ratings.

8 things you didn't know you could be fired for

Fully understanding the work expectations around behaviour and interaction with the people you work with is important. Most of us know the kinds of behaviour to avoid at work, but it's worth knowing what could actually lead to being dismissed. Here are 8 things you might not know you could be fired for.

Preparing for jobs that don’t exist... yet

The global pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation process for many organisations which have been slow to invest in tech. #WFH has helped reshape the thinking around the way we physically work and the location we work from, as we search for a better normal. Emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and augmented reality are creating whole new industry sectors. New jobs are being created regularly to meet these new and hitherto unheard-of activities. Click here to read Dorothy Daltons article and to see the World Economic Forum Skills for 2025.

What employers really look for in your resume

Just how important are tailored resumes, squeaky clean social media profiles and comprehensive cover letters? Seek asked employers to share their thoughts and you might be surprised at their answers. When you’re applying for a job, there’s no shortage of advice about what you should and shouldn’t do. SEEK research finds many strongly held beliefs about what employers are looking for actually aren’t quite right. They have bust five myths about what employers want from a resume. Read more about them here including:

Myth 1: It’s creepy or weird to be creative with your resume
Myth 2: It’s essential to tailor your resume and cover letter
Myth 3: The longer your resume, the better
Myth 4: It doesn’t matter what my resume looks like
Myth 5: Employers always look at your social media Truth: Just over half of potential employers will look at your social media profiles.

There are no set 'rules' for resume writing so it's important to be aware of what the current employer thinking is.

Youth Jobs PaTH

Youth Jobs PaTH is an Australian Government service that helps young people gain the skills and work experience needed to get and keep a job. It also supports businesses to trial young people in the workplace and offers a financial incentive when they hire. Youth Jobs PaTH has 3 elements – Prepare, Trial, Hire. Learn more here.

The Adventures of you video!

myfuture has a resource called ‘The Adventures of You’ executive function guide. Three animated videos will help you understand the executive functions or mental skills needed to make career and course decisions. These include planning, reasoning, prioritising, problem solving, task flexibility, execution and monitoring actions. Check them out!

Turning a passion project into paid work

ABC Everyday wrote about how Esta Musumeci turned her passion into an online recycled clothing store. Click here to read how she did it.

Study Medicine in Samoa

Oceania University of Medicine (OUM), located in Apia Samoa blends distance learning and hands-on clinical rotations to help aspiring physicians overcome distance, personal and professional barriers to achieve their dream. OUM’s MD program is based on a full-scale, rigorous medical school curriculum, which is typically completed in four-and-a-half to five years. To learn if OUM’s approach is right for you or to speak to an Admissions Counsellors, call 1300 665 343 or email enquiries@oum.edu.ws or check out the links below:

What they are about: Oceania University of Medicine students have the best of all worlds. The challenging preclinical program is presented online followed by traditional clinical rotations arranged at affiliated teaching hospitals. Graduates are currently practicing or training in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Samoa, and United States. For more information visit the Our Approach to Learning webpage.
Admissions: If you always dreamed of becoming a physician but “life” got in the way, Oceania University of Medicine is right for you. The flexibility of online medical school allows non-traditional students to balance school with work and family obligations. For more information visit the Admissions webpage.
How it Works: The rigorous curriculum is based largely on American and Australian medical education models. The program is typically completed in four-and-a-half to five years. Accreditation provides a requisite credential that medical school graduates need for licensure and post-graduate training. For more information visit the OUM Curriculum webpage.

5 Reasons Why Architect

Architects use creativity and a practical understanding of structures and materials to develop concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings for buildings and other structures. They negotiate with builders and planning authorities, administer building contracts and inspect work that has been carried out. A good architect tends to have an aptitude for design, creativity, have a logical approach to problem-solving, and good communication skills, and strong writing and drawing skills. If this applies to you, a career in architecture could be worth considering. Click here to read about:

Varied and interesting work
Great tangible rewards
Enticing perks
You’ll help improves the lives of others
It offers a great creative outlet

How To Break Into The Film Industry—According To 10 Insiders Who’ve Done It

Few other industries hold the allure of Hollywood, with its powerful and influential A-list. But while big-name actors will always steal the spotlight (pun intended), entertainment jobs range from the creative to the practical to the commercial.

Where there’s an actor, there’s an agent. Where there’s a set, there’s a director. And a PA. And a location scout. And on and on. Saying you work in Hollywood can mean you work in any number of fields, from production to management to publicity.

Click here to read about how ten insiders broke into the film industry with some of the tips being:

Create your own work and don’t be afraid to cast yourself
Being a production assistant is a great entry-level job
Stay focused, no matter what
Above all, build a network

Jobs that you could apply for if you have a foreign language

Lifehack lists foreign languages that help you find top language jobs are Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Arabic. It lists 10 language jobs you can get with a foreign language. Check them out.

Latest skills forecasts and trends now available

The National Skills Overview has now been updated with data and information for 2020/21. The Overview is an initiative of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and forms part of the National Industry Insights Report website.

It provides an analysis of industry skills needs along with factors and trends affecting skill demand at a national and cross-industry level.

The following generic skills were ranked most highly across IRC 2020 Skills Forecasts:

Learn more about the factors and trends driving demand for these skills on the website

Important Responsibilities Every Student Needs to Own

Tim Elmore from Growing Leaders encourages young people to step up and take responsibility and ownership for their live and life decisions. He suggests the following strategies are worth considering:

1. Master your attitude.

You have no control over many obstacles that come your way, but you can control the way you respond to them. Own your attitude. Bad attitudes do you no good. Good attitudes can make the difference in whether you maintain creativity and optimism on the journey.

2. Be your own advocate at school.

Students have agency. You need to exercise it. Let the teacher know who you are and that you’re interested in succeeding. What do you need; ask questions; and own what you’ve agreed to do. This can be a game-changer.

3. Offer your best effort.

Students can’t get upset with their grades if they don’t invest energy. You should pursue your courses, sports teams, and other activities with an “all in” commitment. If you have to say no to some activities so you can focus, then so be it. Do less and achieve more.

4. Practice punctuality.

When you’re on time, your message to others is, “I respect your time.” When you’re late, you unwittingly say, “I don’t care as much about your time as you do.” Be on time. Better yet, come early and prepared.

5. Surround yourself with people who can help you and vice versa.

Most students make friends accidentally—whomever they meet at a party, or a game, etc. Why not identify and pursue helpful mentors, school and friends who will nudge you toward where you want to go. And why not return that favour?

6. Navigate your screen time.

Most of our smartphones can report how much time we spend on them daily. Research demonstrates that fewer than two hours a day on social media leaves us less vulnerable to anxiety and depression. More than two hours results in greater vulnerability to mental health issues. Take charge of your phone and your time. It’s your life.

10 study tips for senior students

Here are 10 study tips that may help senior students manage their time and study patterns throughout the year including:

Staying up to date
Having effective notes
Testing themselves regularly
Determining what they don't know
Creating revision tools
Don't just spend time reading
Implementing feedback
Seeping help
Being able to apply their learning
Looking after themselves

Regaining your life balance – the Wheel of Life

When study and life demands take over your life, it’s all too easy to find yourself off balance, not paying enough attention to other important areas of your life. This is where the Wheel of Life activity on the MindTools website can be useful. It helps you take a ‘helicopter view’ of your life, so you can bring things back into balance and manage your life more effectively. The MindTools website has other topics (e.g. Time Management and Decision Making) you might find useful. Check it out.

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