Careers News
As the term draws to a close there are still many opportunities and events happening in the careers space.
Year 10 news
Parents and students of Year 10 you need to organise a work experience placement for Term 4. This may seem early but it takes a while to organise the process and for students to find a business. In class we are also completing a work readiness course so the students are prepared in terms of health and safety and workplace cultures and allowed to undergo the work experience. It is the responsibility of the student to find a workplace which they would like.The students have two letters from me which they need to fill out before the work experience can be secured. Attached are copies of the letters but these have been given to the students in class.
Subject Choices
It is advisable that students tentatively research career paths when selecting their subject choices but they should ensure that they choose courses that they are passionate about because they will achieve more if they love a subject.
I have booklets for students for pathways into university and various courses, which I am disseminating in class.
Year 11 and Year 12
There is a Careers excursion to C.H.E.C. in Coffs Harbour next term in Week 2. The excursion is to a Post Careers exhibition for Years 11 and 12. The excursion will leave early on Wednesday, 30th August and return for Period 4. There will be a host of businesses and further education institutions presenting career options. This is an excellent opportunity to research and network for young people looking to make choices for next year or in two years’ time as they get to speak first hand to tradespeople, managers, lecturers and past students. If your child would like to attend they need to fill out the Expression of Interest form on their year group Google classroom. Please see below for a selection of the presenters.
Year 12
Students who are seeking employment next term will be participating in mock interviews for various jobs with me and another staff member. This will be an invaluable experience to prepare them for real life.
University applications:
Applying for university is a big step for students, and parents can feel anxious too. Below are some facts on the process. Please contact me for more information.
By now, students should have had their PIN emailed to them from the University Admission Centre for New South Wales (UAC). As explained in the last newsletter, the instructions are provided again below:
The process for applying to university
In early April, UAC will issue students with a PIN to apply for courses, and we will have UAC booklets to help them research courses, as well as our Career Tools website, which contains a UAC booklet and information on all courses in Australia. They can then apply online for their desired courses. They make 5 preference choices for courses, and their ideal choice is their first preference. Their last choice is encouraged to be the course with the lower entry score in case you do not secure your ideal spot. Preferences can be changed during the process, so students are not locked in until the course offers are issued. People who may not be able to secure a university spot may also research a bridging course to lead them towards their desired degree. However, they should still apply for their degree course.
Here is a list of the key dates from the University Admissions Centre:
Code explanations and other information:
- The School Recommendations Scheme (SRS) is a scheme where students ask their school to recommend them for courses. It is suggested that all students tick this option.
- Early Bird applications close on 30th September - if the students do not submit their form by this date, they need to pay $215, as opposed to $82 if they pay by the Early Bird date.
- Students are not encouraged to apply for the same course at university as they do on the UAC form.
- COP means change of preferences close. This is because students can change their course choices up until a certain time. The time when they are finally locked in is 6th November. They are opened again for a window of time and then closed again on the 18th of December.
- Rounds being released means once the HSC results arrive on 18th December, universities will send offers of positions in their courses. If a student does not get straight into their chosen course, they may get into that course in the second round of offers. This is a sorting process and means that all places hope to be filled in the universities. More information on this will be released later.
Please see the UAC link to help you navigate the process.
How to apply to university through the UAC system.
1.How to start yor UAC application
2.How to manage your UAC application
3.How to review your UAC application following your ATAR result
Please contact Mrs Rouse if you need more information.
Frequently asked questions regarding apprenticeships
Many students are interested in a trade career and are in Year 11 or 12. There are different pathways to achieving this goal:
- School based apprenticeships - this is a student combining school study in Year 11 and 12 with an apprenticeship in a trade. It also requires a student to complete accredited training related to the apprenticeship/traineeship either at school or with an external provider. This means students have to be very organised.
- Leave school at the close of Year 10 and start a TAFE course in their chosen trade.
- Leave school and find a trade e.g. apprenticeship or traineeship with an employer.
- Study VET courses as part of their suite of subjects in Year 11 and 12. Six VET subjects are offered at McAuley and students can do an additional EVET subject through TAFE or other external provider.
Students should discuss these options with Mr Day who is the VET coordinator at the College and visit their local TAFE to discuss the trades which are available.
Please feel free to contact me for more information on any issues pertaining to careers by email, telephone or by making an appointment for an interview.
Mrs Maria Rouse, Careers