Learning in the Workplace

Year 10 Work Experience

Our year 10s encountered many different workplaces and challenges during work experience week. Here, a few of our students reflect on their learning experiences.

Victorian Fisheries Authority

Last week, two of my friends and myself were fortunate enough to complete work experience at the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Over the course of the week, we were able to engage in a range of activities from feeding the fish and working with school groups in the marine discovery centre to pressure cleaning the FAD's (fish aggregating devices), recently collected from the ocean. We took part in fish dissections in the lab and submitting some admin that was sent in from commercial fishermen. It was a really great process and opportunity to be apart of and gave a great insight into jobs within the workplace and areas of study for the future. I really enjoyed working with all of the staff and scientists and think that feeding and looking after the fish in the centre would probably have to be my favourite part. One of our greater challenges over the week would have to be arriving to work and our activities on time, but overall, we are very grateful to have been able to take part in this opportunity.

Lily D.

Primary School

I did year 10 work experience at my old primary school, Northcote Primary School. I was working with the preps all week which meant a lot of "why do you have metal on your teeth?", "do you have any friends?...name all of them", and a few tears here and there. But it also meant I helped around the classroom with things like; helping them sound things out to read them, helping them write their numbers (gently reminding them that the tens go first, and the ones go second), helping them write, and just general helping with little chores like laminating things. One of the most memorable things that I enjoyed was watching and helping them learn to write the letter 'x'. I got an interesting insight into a whole range of things including how students that young interact and learn with their peers, and how they all bounce off one another- once one person starts everyone does. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at my work experience placement.

Naoise M.

Car Restoration Worshop

For work experience I went to Classic and Custom Car Garage, a classic car restoration workshop. During the week I learnt how to do various types of welding and made metal boxes out of steel and alloy, using the skills I was taught by the workers there. I also learnt what skills are needed and the different type of pathways I can choose to get into this work area. I found work experience so much fun, and I am definitely considering a career in this industry. The most challenging thing I found was waking up early and the long days. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience.

Edwin B. 

Veterinary Practice 

For my work experience I went to a vet clinic in Carnegie. I saw a lot of interesting things including a cat getting its teeth cleaned under anesthetic, another cat getting stitches in its paw, and a dog having a blood test, where the needle went into its neck. 

Some of the jobs I did were looking after a puppy which was my favourite part, and doing a lot of cleaning. I can see myself working in this industry in the future.

Allana S.

Monash University, Physiotherapy Department

I went to Monash University for my work experience, it was a really good experience and I learnt quite a lot during my time. For me the experience really broadened my scope of what I might want to do in the future, because before this experience I was very much focused in psychology. However, now I want to do something a lot broader, in terms of just wanting to do anything about the brain. I also had the opportunity to meet a lot of people which definitely helped with my social skills. Throughout my time I was able to learn about the journey I might need to take to where I want to get to as well as being able to watch over a bunch of experiments.

Belle K.

Chemist Warehouse

For work experience I worked at chemist warehouse with pharmacists and retail combined. It was an entirely new experience in combating different personalities and staying on task.  The thing I felt most challenging was staying consistent in how much effort I put into working and not letting stressed customers get to me.

Something I really enjoyed though, was building new relationships with co-workers and being rewarded for all my hard work. In the future I would like to pursue a career in science and medicine so seeing how all the medication and prescriptions were handled was an eye opener to me.

Irena K.