Career News for November

Passionate about sport?

Not sure if you would like to go straight to university after school? Enjoy playing sport and would like to combine your sports career with study in 2020?

The following are three programs you may like to explore:

Richmond Institute of Sport Leadership: This is a partnership program between Richmond Football Club and Swinburne University. As part of the 12-month program, students will study a Diploma of Sports Development. Campuses are at Richmond, Mildura and Albury-Wodonga. Students at the Richmond campus will also study a Diploma of Leadership and Management. For information, to book for an open day, and to apply, go to this link – http://bit.ly/2vEPCGH

Carlton College of Sport: This is a partnership program between Carlton Football Club and La Trobe University. As part of the 12-month program, students will study a University diploma in Sports Coaching and Development or Elite Sports Business. Classes will be held at Ikon Park, Carlton Football Club grounds and La Trobe University, Bundoora. For information, to book for an open day, and to apply, go to this link – https://bit.ly/37cUHFn

St Kilda Football Club/Holmesglen Institute: Students will study a dual Diploma of Sports Development and Diploma of Events Management through Holmesglen Institute, and study at both Holmesglen and St Kilda Football Club. at Ikon Park, Carlton Football Club grounds and La Trobe University, Bundoora. For information and to apply, go to https://bit.ly/2Ol4Bfq

University course search tool

The Course Seeker website contains a national course comparison tool which allows students to search, select and compare higher education courses and filter search results by ATAR, study area and location, https://bit.ly/2Oj1nHo

Careers in the Australian Public Service (APS)

The APS offers a huge range of careers. As one of the biggest employers in Australia it offers careers to suit just about anyone. You can search careers on offer at the My Career, My APS website, http://bit.ly/1J6XcE1

Students in Year 10

Did you know that if you want to apply for early entry to several universities in NSW and Canberra, selection will be based on your Year 11 results, not Year 12?

Students with a successful early entry application may receive an ‘unconditional offer’, meaning they will receive a guaranteed offer before they receive their VCE/HSC results. For information, visit the Schools Recommendation Scheme website- https://bit.ly/2KBVRQZ

Apprenticeship websites

MyGain YouTube Channel: check out this channel to watch videos about apprenticeships, traineeships and employers, http://bit.ly/1NC2fUS

AusAppPathways: this is an App you can download so you can research apprenticeships and traineeships on the go via your smart phone, www.ausapp.com.au/

Interesting articles from Careers Within STEM

10 exciting careers you could kickstart with an animal science degree: Keen to study animal science but not sure where it’ll take you? We’ve come up with a list of 10 awesome animal science careers to prove that the STEM opportunities in the industry are endless – and cute! Number four is particularly cool, https://bit.ly/2O1o0TR

Have you considered a STEM career in Defence? Defence Science and Technology supports our defence capabilities, allowing us to apply science and tech skills to safeguard Australia. The effectiveness of biofuels in military vehicles, autonomous drone networks, camouflaged uniforms and a soldier’s diet is all research backed by DST. There are seriously endless STEM career opportunities in Defence! https://bit.ly/37sVhPs

You don’t have to go to uni to get a great job in STEM: If you thought university was the only option for getting started in your dream STEM career, it’s time to think again. Explore your VET options at https://bit.ly/33W4jlL

Work Experience at the Australian Defence Force

The Defence Force provides work experience opportunities across Australia. To search for upcoming work experience placements and to bookmark the page, go to http://bit.ly/1MGymwI You can learn about jobs in the Army, Navy and Air Force via the Defence Jobs YouTube Channel, http://bit.ly/1QoBraH

The Victorian College of Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Precinct is an online blog and news source that brings you the best of music, arts, stage and screen stories at the VCA and MCM. Stay up to date with the latest happenings at The University of Melbourne and learn more about the work of researchers, artists, performers and production specialists at this link – http://bit.ly/2reTsTs

Increasing the chance of gaining graduate employment after university

Interested in going to university? It’s important you are aware that around 27% of university graduates are without full-time employment within four months of graduation and that 1 in 5 graduates report they are ‘underemployed’.

Underemployed refers to graduates who are employed in casual or part time employment and would like to be in full time employment.

Graduate Careers Australia and Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute have recently released a report that all students interested in university study should read – https://bit.ly/2r2PHm2

The Good Universities Guide should also be consulted when researching undergraduate degrees. The Guide contains rankings and ratings for individual courses and universities.

In regards to Victorian universities, this year the University of Melbourne secured the top spot for student retention and student demand and Charles Sturt University for full-time employment post-graduation.

It’s also important for students to research graduate employment data for specific occupations, bust through myths about what degrees ‘get jobs’, and then work out what they can do now and during university to improve their chances of gaining post graduate employment in their desired field.

What can you do to increase your chances of graduate employment? It starts with you in high school. It is critical that you develop skills in how to a) manage your career journey and also b) develop skills and attributes that are desirable to employers.

The following are tips to consider

What can you do in High School

Tip 1: Build your resume through participating in career development activities

For example:

• Secure casual or part time employment
• Volunteer for community programs such as the Country Fire Authority, Young Lions, Scouts, Defence Force Cadets, St Johns Ambulance Cadets, State Emergency Service etc.
• Play sport
• Participate in leadership and community service activities at school
• Participate in community based fundraising activities.
• Complete an overseas exchange program
• Participate in a leadership program such as The Young Endeavour

Tip 2: meet with your Career Adviser regularly

The more you meet with your adviser, the better they will know you and the better advice they will be able to give. Start in the junior years and work together in partnership with your family through regular meetings until you exit school.

Increasing the chance of gaining graduate employment after uni

Tip 3: Plan your university program carefully

Studying at university isn’t cheap. Aside from the course costs, you will need to invest in textbooks, printing credit, transport, a computer, Internet data, and for students who have to move away to study, you will be investing roughly $20 000 – $30 000 per year on accommodation and living expenses.

For courses that have a lot of unpaid work placement requirements, it will be difficult to maintain consistent employment and thus, consistent income. Some courses will require you to be at university for 5 – 6 years, which will place a greater strain on you financially.

It’s important that you plan out what you would like to study carefully to start with and then to find an undergraduate degree that is going to give you the best chance of graduate employment.

The first step is to identify what you would like to study. Remember, that in a time of rapid change with the world of work and technology, the occupations you can imagine yourself doing now may not exist in 5 – 6 years time, or there may be new ones you would be suited to.

Your career adviser will be able to assist you to explore courses based on your interests. There are many courses available and ones that you may not have considered yet.

Once you have identified the type of course you would like to study, you will then need to find the right undergraduate degree at the right university. Look for courses that offer work experience, career development programs, overseas exchange opportunities, and (if relevant) are accredited.

Example 1

For example, if you want to study a degree like the Bachelor of Criminology, think carefully. There are many criminology degrees in Victoria, Canberra and NSW and this means there will be many graduates. How can you be competitive for graduate jobs?

Consider the following option:

Combine the degree with another field of study that has strong graduate employment outcomes such as cybersecurity and Asian languages. The following are courses to consider:

Deakin University: Bachelor of Cyber Security/Bachelor of Criminology, http://bit.ly/2n1viHZ

Australia National University: Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Asian Studies (majoring in an Asian language), http://bit.ly/2h9laLj

Example 2

You would like to study a course focused on marketing. This is a very popular course for people to study, so what will make you stand out? Choose a course that will give you substantial industry experience.

You could consider the following options:

Swinburne University: Bachelor of Business (Professional) with a major in marketing. You will be guaranteed a year of paid industry experience, http://bit.ly/2AjXf3T

RMIT: Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied). You can undertake a year of industry experience, http://bit.ly/2zhCyYB

Develop a plan with your career adviser and attend university open days and experience days throughout the year.

Tip 4: consider taking a gap year

During this year you could undertake a 12-month traineeship in the industry you are interested in or complete a Certificate IV or Diploma level course.

This will give you 12-months to mature, save money, gain experience in the industry you are interested in, and give you time to consider if you are happy with the course you have deferred.

Employers also love VET qualifications and industry experience, so this year could boost your graduate employment chances.

Example 1: Amy would like to study a law degree. She is aware that more law graduates are being produced than ever before and that this may place pressure on the job market. She decides to complete a traineeship in legal administration in a law firm during her gap year.

Example 2: Steve would like to be a secondary teacher. He knows that supporting diverse learners in the classroom will be an important element of his future job. He also knows that based on the teaching specialty he goes into, he may find it difficult to gain graduate employment. He decides to complete a Certificate IV in Disability Studies or Education Support during his gap year at his local TAFE.

Example 3: Sarah would like to study a degree focused on rehabilitation but isn’t sure what course she would be suited to. She receives an offer for Occupational Therapy, but to give herself more time to be sure of her course choice, she decides to complete the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance at TAFE. She knows that this course will provide her with a qualification, which will enable her to work as an allied health assistant whilst she is at university.

Example 4: Will would like to join the Police Force but is aware that he may not be competitive with a Year 12 qualification and little life experience. He decides to apply for the Airbase Security Gap Year program in the Air Force. During this year he will undertake combat training, weapons instruction, dog handling, and simulated terror attacks. This will give him more time to consider his future direction and may open up other career opportunities for him if he doesn’t receive a place in the Police Force.

What you can do at Uni

You can increase your chances of gaining graduate employment through the following tips:

Tip 1: Meet with the Career Adviser at uni

Did you know that only 30% of students meet with a Career Adviser at uni? It’s advisable to set up regular meetings to discuss career development opportunities, ways to gain industry experience and to assist you with applying for graduate employment.

Tip 2: Build your resume through participating in career development activities. For example:

• Secure casual or part time employment
• Volunteer for community programs
• Play sport
• Participate in leadership and community service activities at university
• Participate in community based fundraising activities.
• Complete an overseas exchange program
• Participate in leadership programs

What to do next: If you’re still reading this – great! It means that you are at least thinking about your career pathways.

Make a time to meet with your career adviser and set some short and long term career development goals. Now is the perfect time heading into a new year level.