Career News
For students & parents…
So… what brings you here?
Apr 7th
Is it for…
- Help with your resume?
- Assistance with your letter of application?
- Ideas for work experience?
- VCE Information?
- VET Information?
- School Leaver Jobs?
- Information about school based apprenticeships?
- Keeping your finger on the CAREER pulse (with weekly news/updates/ideas)
Who is this blog for?
- Secondary School Students (& parents), if that’s YOU… welcome!
- For greater detail about who and what we are visit the parent link.
You won’t need us ALL the time, but…
Here are 3 Ways to keep in touch (& IT’s free!)
- facebook https://www.facebook.com/sheppartoncareerinfo
- twitter Follow @Car33rs
- email – simply type your email address in the subscribe box to the right, and hit the ‘subscribe’ button.
PDF Meet Melbourne – in Shepparton
May 22nd
2013 Week 15 – Career News
May 20th
Got your EYE on a Career?
Got your eye on a career?
If the words in RED (below) match your career interest/s, FOLLOW the links!
You can also find many of these links in the ‘Scoopit’ box to the right…* * * * * * * * * *
Arts Degrees at Monash are undergoing a face-lift for 2014. Read more.
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New entry process for Monash: Bachelor of Architectural Design/Master of Architecture. Read more.
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Accounts and Finance your thing? You might be interested to read about Monash’s STARLabs. Read more.
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Walk the walk! Find out what it is like to be a University student for a day (July Holidays) at LaTrobe. Read more.
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CBGC Computer Games Boot Camp for students in Years 9 to 10. Takes place during July school break. Read more.
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Charles Sturt University are providing the following MyDay events on
- Both on Tues 25 June Follow this link… for…
MyDay Creative Industries @ Wagga Wagga, 9.45 am – 2 pm
- Showcasing: Acting for Screen & Stage, Animation & Visual Effects, Design— Theatre & Television, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Photography & Television Production
MyDay Community Health & Nursing @ Albury-Wodonga, 9:45 am – 2pm
- Showcasing: Health and Rehabilitation Science, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Speech Pathology
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Mechatronics Engineering is a fast-growing profession, and graduates are in high demand both in Australia and overseas. Read more.
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Year 10… What would a University Timetable look like? look at the example provided on LaTrobes Year 10 booklet. Read More
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Year 10 – Confused about Uni? Try these neat video clips at LaTrobe. They provide simple messages about decisions you need to make NOW and the processes needed for getting into Uni. Read more.
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IT Challenge 2013 @ Monash. A multi category competition. Read more.
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Nursing & Health Sciences Course Guide 2014 – Monash – now available to download. Read more.
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University of Melbourne—Want to pursue Law? The Melbourne JD (Juris Doctor) Showcase (3 July) will offer master classes on areas of law which will inspire your curiosity. $66. Register & pay online. Read More.
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Get an idea of the clubs and societies which operate at University. Watch This.
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It is not too early to plan your Melbourne University Accommodation options for next year . Read more
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Certificate III in Fitness will be running in Echuca during the coming school holidays. Registrations due end of this month. See your schools’ careers advisor.
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Swinburne’s Aviation Expo July 11. Register here
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Swinburne ICT events. A few info tech days to choose from. Explore here.
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Some TAFE’s offer Degrees for example Holmesglen TAFE have partnered with the Uni of Canberra to deliver Bachelor Degrees via distance education. Read more.
Why Bother?
Are you hanging in there with your career choice/s? Do you have a grip on your future? How do you know if you are making the right career choice?
Here is an example of what YOU could write in the future (resume or letter of application) IF you take to the time to manage your secondary school career journey.
I have always had a keen interest in nursing. I organised work experience during Year 10 at the GV Hospital and also attended the Health panel at the annual Careers Day Out, where I was able to listen to nurses talking about their careers. I have volunteered at an aged care facility and attended numerous nursing information sessions including Monash, ACU and LaTrobe. I am very confident from these experiences that I am on the right career path.
You cannot make an informed career choice unless you place yourself in the shoes of the career person you wish to be.
If you have no idea about what career you want, do NOT let that STOP you!
Like a box of chocolates, pick ONE career, and make a START!
Defence Force Officer Training
May 20th
Defence Force—Becoming an Officer
The Defence Force is like a giant ‘football club’ where the players (soldiers), coaches and administrators (officers) and the bench warmers (reservists) all need different sets of skills and therefore different training methods to give them these skills.
Canberra is home to the RMC (Royal Military College—Duntroon) and ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy).
The RMC* and ADFA are where the officers (coaches and administrators) of the Defence Force are trained.
What is the difference between the College (RMC) and the Academy (ADFA)?
ADFA
The biggest difference between RMC & ADFA is that at the Academy (ADFA) you study a University Undergraduate Degree as well as undergo military training.
Undergraduate degrees in Arts, Business, Engineering, Science and Information Technology are on offer and they can take 3 to 4 years to complete.
ADFA is a ‘tri-force’ university, where cadets from the Army, Air Force and Navy, study together.
As an ADFA “Cadet” you are PAID to study, which is cool, however, for every year of study you pay back with two years military service (plus one year at the end). So a 3 year degree is 6 + 1 = 7. A 4 year degree is 8 + 1 = 9.
To be selected for ADFA, you will need to submit two applications – one to join the Australian Defence Force as an Officer in the Navy, Army or Air Force, and one to attend the University of New South Wales.
RMC—Duntroon
At the College (RMC) you concentrate on military, communication, physical fitness and leadership training. Training takes 18 months and assessment includes exams (you cannot avoid study!)
To be selected for RMC, you will need to submit an application to join the Australian Defence Force. You will follow the same processes as normal soldiers. The results from your aptitude test and psychological interview (both part of the application process) will determine your suitability to be an OFFICER. Of particular interest to the recruitment people is your ability to communicate. As you can imagine, lives would be at risk, if officers were unable to relay information accurately.
- If you can showcase a history of leadership roles within your school and community this will also make them sit up and pay attention.
- I recommend that you take every opportunity to develop your communication skills at school (from Oral English assignments to speeches at assemblies).
More Info?
You can find out all you need to know at the RMC & ADFA websites, so I do not need to retell facts you can find there. However, here are some tips you will find useful:
- MANY potential recruits/cadets ‘fail’ to hand in their medical forms during recruitment, so their applications become null and void. If you plan on joining the Defence Force (in whatever capacity) then you MUST be prepared to fill out MANY forms. You cannot take your MOTHER with you, so get used to doing it yourself!
- Only 10% of applicants are accepted into officer training, so be prepared to rethink your career pathway!
- The Australian Defence Force recruiting services are always happy to answer questions—before you call – 13 19 01 – make sure you have done your on-line research!
*RMC is for ARMY officers. If you are interested in the AIRFORCE you would go to East Sale and NAVAL officers are trained at Creswell. See the map for an idea where these places are.
Vacancy – Retail
May 16th
A full time retail traineeship is available through Seek. Please see below for details and
click on this link to find out more
:
2013 – Week 14 – Career News
May 13th
How DO you find a school based apprenticeship?
Australian School Based Apprenticeships AND Traineeships (sometimes called a ASBA or SBAT) are part time jobs—with qualifications! Usually this means that you work one day a week and attend school on the other four days.
Here are some ideas about finding an ASBA for yourself. These steps worked for my students in the past. My xtranormal clips will clarify some points.
UNDERSTAND how a school based apprenticeship works – quiz your careers advisor to get it right. Pick up some brochures about school based apprenticeships (you will need these to give to an employer).
TRY two weeks of work experience in a career interest area.
PUT IN in 100% at work experience/s – show them what a great employee you are (or would be).
TALK to your boss/es about school based apprenticeships, give them the brochures.
TELL them that you are looking for a school based apprenticeship and that you would be keen to work for them one day a week.
Occasionally they will say YES (Yay!!).
More often they will want to THINK about it, or have time to discuss it with other people in their business.
Sometimes they want to KNOW MORE about it first – so GIVE them your careers advisor’s phone number.
Many times they say ‘NO’ – but that’s OK – this has nothing to do with YOU. There are many reasons employers say no, usually it’s because there is not enough work or they can’t afford to put on an extra employee. However, if you don’t ask, you will never know the answer!
I call this (asking for an ASBA), ‘seed planting’. Seeds take time to grow, but unless you plant them (ask the question), nothing will happen!
KEEP the relevant people in your school in the loop—often they can sort out misunderstandings between young people and employers.
Finding a School Based Apprenticeship
by: ScaddenFay
NOTE: Ask your careers advisor (Shepparton region only) for an ASBA expression of interest form. This form can be filled out and sent to Michelle Mosenki who can approach employers for you.
ASBA vs Uni Plans
Is it possible to do an ASBA with VCE studies? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Yes it is possible to combine VCE & an ASBA (depending on the school you attend of course).
ASBA’s are a nationally recognised certificate, so at the end of VCE you could, if successful, have two qualifications.
- Victorian Certificate of Education
- Certificate II in Business Management (for example)
An up-side of doing an ASBA is that the combination of your practical skills and university degree will make you highly employable and give you the edge when marketing yourself. It could also make your Uni studies more meaningful and relevant as you have experienced the applications in the work place.
The down-side of doing an ASBA is that you will miss a day of VCE classes as you will be in the work place. This means that you will be under pressure to catch up on your VCE classes.
So, yes, it can be done, but it’s not easy. You will have to cope with the demands of a dual Certificate.
Action Step: Draw up a list of ‘for’ and ‘against’ for doing an ASBA. Open up discussions with your Careers Advisor and/or VCE Program Manager about ASBA options. The different types of ASBA certificates available will surprise you!
2013 – Week 13 – Career News
May 6th
How do you KNOW which Uni Course to choose?
As a mother (and a careers advisor) I have, in the past, watched my own children struggle with finding courses at University to suit their individual tastes and personality. From this experience I can recommend the following PRACTICAL tactics:
Think about your subjects at school, which do you enjoy? Chances are you will also like university subject/courses which are similar. Rank your VCE subjects from 1 to 10 (the higher the score the more you enjoy the subject). If you like 2 or 3 subjects equally, don’t stress, you just have more options to explore!
Let us imagine that Health & Human Development tops your list. What happens next?
This is how my daughters tackled it and something you might like to consider for yourself:
Collect as many brochures from as many universities as possible—or from your preferred Uni. Hint: Brochures can be collected at the Shepparton TIS event coming up Monday June 17.
Arm yourself with different color sticky tabs.
Go through each brochure. Locate the relevant sections based upon your favourite school subjects (eg. Health)
For each course which ‘tweaks’ your interest, rate it out of 10, use your colour labels and stick to the relevant pages. (eg. Blue for subjects scored 9-10, yellow for 7-8, pink 5-6 etc)
Scribble any thoughts or ideas you have in the brochure as you are sorting, this helps tremendously.
Some students find it easier to cross out courses which hold no interest – whatever way works for you, just do it.
Recycle brochures which hold NO interest to you. No need to clutter up your space.
Keep all your research material together in one place. Don’t hide them away!
Take a break for a few weeks because your brain needs to refresh.
Tackle the pile again and re-evaluate your choices, re-labeling, crossing off or adding to the list as appropriate.
Consider the ATAR for each course; is this score within your capabilities? Discuss this with your teachers and VCE Program Manager.
Discuss your choices with somebody; verbalising your thoughts also helps in the process of elimination (or illumination!)
Develop an “Open Day” plan of attack for your higher ranked courses so you can visit and find out more (network with your friends so you can go together and save fuel).
Revisit your brochures every so often in the lead up to the end of the year when you will apply for University
Brochures are out of date as soon as they are printed—therefore it is critical to familiarise yourself with the web-site you will use to apply for your courses (eg. VTAC in Victoria, UAC in NSW). By jumping on the web site you will be able to confirm that the course/s you are interested in is/are still current.
Ensure you develop back-up plans because you may not be offered the course you want.
Another web site I find particularly useful for sorting out university options is the Hobsons Course Finder. Ensure you save pages as favourites as you search, unlike sticky labels, it is not as easy to relocate things online unless you manage it correctly.
Do not get too hung up on whether you have chosen wisely or not… you can always change directions at any time in the future… people do this all the time – and survive!
I hope this has been useful. Good luck with your research.
Career Calendar
Is located on my blog (to the right, or click on tab at top of page), it is a fabulous tool when planning your career activities.
Make sure you confirm the information by following the links.
2013 – Week 12 – Career News
Apr 28th
Apprenticeships
How do you find an apprenticeship? Time and again the following actions have secured an apprenticeship for students from our school.
- Work Experience – increases your networks. Do as much as you can.
- Talk to the employers about your career ambitions. Ask if they are thinking of putting on an apprentice!
- Keep an eye on websites like the apprenticeship factory, they update their listings each week — pop a reminder in your phone to check the websites on a regular basis
- Make sure your resume is up to date—you never know when an opportunity will crop up.
- Drop your resume into the places like the ones found at this link.
The Age VCE & Careers Expo
A great way to explore your future! In ONE building you have all the people you need to help you make important decisions about your immediate future: Uni, TAFE, Gap Year, VCE Subjects (resources to help your study score), overseas study options, and so much more. Grab a free ticket from your VCE Coordinator (if they still have some) and head along to Caulfield Racecourse. Thursday 2nd to 4th May.
GAP Year?
Do you want some breathing space between Secondary School and TAFE / University? “Gap Year” options are conveniently listed on my gap-year-ideas page. Explore and compare the different opportunities. You might be pleasantly surprised at the diverse array of things you can be involved in.
What is coming up?
My Career Calendar is updated regularly, you just need to locate it on the right hand side of this page. All links take you directly where you need to go for further exploration. Am I Missing something? Let me know!
Hot Tips this week….
What does Curriculum Vitae (CV) mean? “CV” roughly translated, means “the way my life has run”. You will need a CV (or Resume) when you leave school and/or apply for your first job. Your CV gives an employer a good idea of who you are, what you can do and how you can fit into their business.
What is a major? Generally speaking a bachelors degree is made up of core subjects, plus elective subjects (sometimes called specialisations). These specialisations are referred to as a major. For example you may graduate with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Maths.
Bloody Oath! Do you think about the language which comes out of your mouth? Is it suitable for the workplace? Employers DISLIKE bad language and WILL get rid of people who do not speak politely and respectfully.
AFL Dreams… Will you place all of your eggs in one basket (ie your AFL Career ambitions). Is this a good thing or a bad thing? My AFL xtranormal clip discusses this point.
2013 – Week 11 – Career News
Apr 21st
Questions about Uni?
Getting to grips with University jargon can be daunting. If your mum or dad went to Uni, you are probably familiar with the terminology. If your parents don’t have a tertiary education it can be like learning a whole new language!
Recently I had some Year 11 students ask me what ‘post graduate’ studies mean. You can watch my toon, which explains it or try the quick explanation underneath the toon.
A Bachelors Degree is what you DO, an undergraduate is who you ARE (whilst you are studying for your degree). When you (successfully) complete your Degree you are called a Graduate. POST means ‘after’, so post graduate studies are what you do when you are a Graduate.
There is no such question as a stupid question, so make sure you always ask the relevant person at your school if you do not understand something.
Mid Year Holidays? EXPAND Your Resume!
You can gain new skills and knowledge by attending information sessions, activities, training sessions at Universities, TAFEs, Marine Centre’s, Zoo’s, Hair Dressing Academies plus more!
This is OBVIOUSLY not work experience, but your attendance at these kind of events, if recorded on your resume, allows employers to see what sparks your passions and interests.
Some school holidays activities are very popular, so now is a good time to spend a few minutes exploring my event calendar. Flick to July to see what is coming up.
Experience LaTrobe
La Trobe is once again inviting year 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents to ‘Experience La Trobe‘.
- Melbourne: Wed 10 July 2013
- Bendigo: Fri 12 July 2013
- Albury-Wodonga: Fri 21 June 2013
- Shepparton: Wed 12 – Fri 14 June 2013
This is a free event with lunch/entertainment provided. Register now.
University Experience
Offered by ACU (Australian Catholic University) this is another great opportunity to sample the degree of your choice. Ballarat Campus 2 July & Melbourne Campus 9 July. Registration is a must at www.acu.edu.au/universityexperience.
Time
Time. You OWN it, you USE it. Time is YOURS to command! What has time got to do with careers?
In the future, you will spend the bulk of your time working.
Will you love, or hate this time?
Time spent wisely at Secondary School, exploring your career options, is a HUGE investment in your future.
Hot Tips this week….
A school leavers resume – Don’t forget my 11 one-minute xtranormal clips will guide you through how to put your sensational resume together!
Year 10 – Careers Day Out - Rub shoulders with students from around the region at the Careers Day Out scheduled for Thursday 23rd May. A great opportunity to discover secrets about your future. Your teachers will provide the necessary information.
Event Calendar – If you want to shape YOUR future and be in charge of YOUR destiny, I recommend that you keep an eye on my event calendar. For example the following events are about to take place… Do you need to go?
- Health & Natural Therapies
- Ag Ideas – 2013 Futures
- Age VCE & Careers Expo
- Massage Course Info
- At Monash Seminar Series
- Careers by Design
- JMC (games / animation +)
- Meet Melbourne (University)
Plus more…
2013 – Week 10 – Career News
Apr 15th
The itty bitty yikky Interview Question
So, what is your five year plan?
What a TERRIBLE question! WHO asks this? And WHY?
Don’t get caught out with the wrong answer, watch my xtranormal clip for clues on how to answer this pesky question!
The Ikky Interview Question
by: ScaddenFay
Feeling Value-able?
If something is ‘valuable’ then it is worth a lot of money right? What if it is just a ‘feeling’ which is important to you? Is the way you ‘feel’ worth something? Your ‘feelings’ (or values), can guide your career decisions. How? My Xtranormal Clip explains.
Values
by: ScaddenFay
At Monash Seminar Series
The At Monash Seminars are already well under way but there are more to come. The At Monash Seminar Series provides you (and parents) with the opportunity to gain an insight into courses and careers in a broad range of fields across the faculties and campuses of Monash University. Each Seminar is unique to the Faculty or discipline but all will cover an overview of the area, current student and graduate perspective and provide attendees an opportunity to talk to faculty representatives.
At Monash Seminar Series dates can be found on our Event Calendar.
PUT YOUR BEST ICT PROJECT FORWARD
Photo Credit: Eden Politte via Compfight
New to Victoria this year, Students can enter the Young ICT Explorer competition and showcase their best project in Information & Communication Technology. Supported by VU, SAP, UoQ and UNSQ, it’s free to enter and you could be a prize winner (and receive acclaim from peers, and academic and industry leaders in the ICT field!)
For more information download the brochure and information pack. Registrations open until 31 May.
- http://youngictexplorers.net.au/cms/ or
- email travis.joy@sap.com
Please drop by!
My Career News Blog is the ‘mother blog’ to four other career related blogs.
The links to my blogs can be found at the top right hand side of each screen.
Have you tried the Job Blog? You will find great content here for resume writing and letters of application. The VCE Blog has links to everything you will ever need in your senior years at school. The Work Experience Blog can provide you with ideas for placements plus links to relevant documents.
Drop by and visit soon!
Hot Tips this week….
University Life?
- What is it REALLY Like?
- Have YOU ever wondered what being a Uni student would be like?
- How do you know if it is something that you would be comfortable with?
- Help is at hand! Through video blogs, five students at Latrobe can show you what it is like to study at Latrobe and you can get an understanding of the everyday stuff (good and bad) as it unfolds.
- Follow Jackson, Joanne, Tom, Emily and Stephen on their video blogs at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/studentblogs
Skills & Abilities.
- We all have them, and they are what employers look for in employees.
- Usually skills can be learned (like texting) or sometimes it comes naturally (like running).
- You will need to be able to talk about your skills and abilities in a job interview.
- Scroll through my skills and abilities post for inspiration!
2013 – Week 9 – Career News
Mar 25th
Hobsons Course Finder
This brand new web site replaces the Good University Guide (which is one of my favourites!). The site is easy to navigate and a fantastic resource for senior VCE students. Give it a go! Hobsons Course Finder (opens in new window).
UMAT
Year 12: If you are planning to apply for a course in: medicine, dentistry, medical laboratory science, optometry, oral health, clinical sciences, vision sciences, clinical sciences, pharmacy or physiotherapy, you MAY need to sit the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Test (UMAT). You can also purchase practice exams—these MAY improve your results.
Year 11: Explore what UMAT is all about so you are prepared for 2014.
Test is 31 July. Registrations OPEN early April & CLOSE June 7.
Careers Day Out
Is an annual event for current Year 10 students from the Shepparton area and will be held on Thursday 23rd May at the Shepparton Sports Stadium. The day is designed to be interactive and informative, providing an ideal opportunity to meet and talk to people in a number of various career areas. It is also about networking and finding links into possible work experience placements and employment.
Visit: http://www.careersdayout.com.au/. Watch our xtranormal clip too.
Careers Day Out 2
by: ScaddenFay
Photo Credit: @Doug88888 via Compfight
As Joey T would say.. “How you doin’? “
How are your career plans coming along? Are you finishing school at the end of this year and staring down the barrel toward 2014? Are you confident about what you see? I don’t want to state the obvious, but, you have THREE choices:
- Further Education or Training
- Employment
- Welfare
Here are simple action plans which may help you steer clear of number 3!
Seeking an apprenticeship or job? Your current plan could include:
- Work experience during school holidays
- Resume and letter of application ready to take to employment agencies
- Using your network to develop leads to possible employers.
Going to University? Check out alternate pathways to your preferred course.
- Research the VTAC web site for similar courses
- Research University sites for pathway options to your preferred course – this can include preparing to attend Open Days
- Prepare questions to ask at the TIS event in June (Tertiary Information Services)
Totally unsure? Then take immediate action and visit your Careers Advisor. You can also:
- Try work experience in an area which you THINK might interest you.
- Use the job guide – write down a list of jobs which might interest you.
- Explore different occupations via the links supplied at our JOB information blog (click on Assignments/Research).
TIP BOX
My Career Calendar makes it quick and easy to find career related activities. Try it!
The Age VCE and Careers Expo
- A one stop shop for your 2014 plans. With over 190 organisations for you to chat to, you can gather and compare the necessary information to plan your future.
- AND… you can choose a seminar from a broad selection of topics: gap year information, vocational and higher education courses, career pathways, VCE info, study skills + more.
- $10 per student (schools have been sent FREE passes so hunt one down!)
- Held at Caulfield Racecourse from 2nd to 4th May.
- Store the date in your electronic gadget or diary! Discuss and plan the day with your parents/guardians!
- To find out more, see your careers adviser or go to www.vceandcareers.com.au. 039596 8881
