Careers Advice

Setting off on your career journey…

A "career" is now seen as the process of managing life, learning and working across the lifespan.

There are many resources and tools available to get a head start to that career!

Mission Australia

 Job for life …

The concept of "a job for life" is fading as our workplaces grow ever more responsive to skill shortage environments, the accelerated pace of technological change and shifts in the global economy.

 How do I choose a career?

The first place to look is at yourself! What things are you good at? What things don’t you like doing? What experience and skills do you already have? What things will you most value in a job? Do some research and talk to people you trust.

A great place to start is with a career quiz. A useful one is can be found in the My Future website This will not tell you what to do; it will give you an indication of what types of occupations might suit you. You will need to work through the 9 stages of My career profile, most importantly pick the correct Education and training level to match your academic ability and career aspirations.

What is the labour market?

 Do you know the job openings, skill requirements, salary work conditions, training requirements, future projections of employment prospects?  Have a look at the Bulls-eye posters. I found the “alphabetical search” the easiest to use. You can also look at specific Skill Shortages.

Tertiary Study

Everyone needs to keep learning/training.

If you decide to do Tertiary Study (University or TAFE study), you will need to begin exploring course options to get you where you want to go. Look carefully at issues such as:

• What jobs do graduates get?
• What does the course involve?
• What is the ATAR requirement?
• Have I covered the prerequisites needed?
• Is there a good link between the course and the industry?
• Are there alternative pathways to get me to my goal? e.g. TAFE pathways, dual TAFE/University courses, upgrading options, alternative courses/universities etc

You can see the Career Advisor for more information on these topics.

Are there any special requirements e.g. Oral Health (e.g. dentistry) might require sitting of the UCAT test mid-year. Applications close in May.

Applications to such courses are made through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Whilst most people apply for admission for the beginning of the year, there are other intakes during the year. Applications are best made late term 3 online on the QTAC website. (be careful some courses do have earlier deadlines or require folios, interviews etc. Be careful also of the start dates of your choices).

Applicants can choose up to 6 courses. Before doing this, you will need to look at the approximate cut-offs of these courses. It is wise to keep the following in mind:

How to Successfully Plan Your Preferences

Each year many well qualified applicants miss out on a place at University, TAFE or College unnecessarily because they do not select and order their course preferences wisely.

Avoid this happening to you - use the following plan.

Course Preferences

So, Make Sure You...

• use the correct course code
• meet the ATAR requirements
• meet the admissions criteria for all the courses you select
• list courses in order of personal preference i.e. from your most desired course preference down to your lowest course preference
• seek professional advice immediately if you don't get an offer
• would accept any of the courses you have selected
• review your course preferences when you receive your year 12 ATAR results

Consider also:

• Talking to your parents and friends about your thoughts
• Talk to someone who works in the area of your interest
• Attend University or TAFE Open Days (see my article in the IPC Newsletter or my Careers webpage - https://www.ipccareers.com.au
• Go to a Careers Expo
• Look through the pages of the Careers Section of the Saturday Bulletin or search through Career One, Seek, or Indeed for example. You can organise an ongoing search to email you updates on your interests
• Make use of the “Email-a-student” and student Blogs - chat with a uni student who is studying your course at QUT (QUT courses only)
• Look at the web pages of the various universities and TAFEs
• Subscribe to the UQ e-newsletters
• Talk to past students who are studying
• You can also apply separately to universities in other parts of Australia using similar websites in relevant states.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

You can get to start an Apprenticeship or Traineeship during Years 11 and 12 or after you finish school. It is a great way to combine training with working in a paid job.

There are far more types of Apprenticeships and Traineeships than you probably imagine. New Apprenticeships are competency based. This means that you can finish your training quicker.

If you are interested begin to prepare early.

• Talk to the VET Program Leader or the Careers Advisor about what ideas you have
• Organise with them opportunities for work experience
• Look at MyFuture Bullseyesfor job prospects, pay rates, work conditions and employment rates of your area of interest (use the alphabetical list)
• Emailthe IPC Careers Advisor to get a list of the many websites available on various career sectors

 JOB seeker web site

 Jobted is the Australian Career Website used by thousands of communities, schools and universities that can help people and especially students and unemployed to find a job or an internship quickly, easily and for free.

 The main advantages of https://au.jobted.com :

•  100% free, no registration required.
•  A "Job Descriptions" section https://au.jobted.com/job-descriptions : a guide to all the most popular jobs, with many tips that will help students to choose the best way to get the job of their dreams.

 The Jobted Career Blog https://au.jobted.com/blog/ with all the best tips for finding a job: Interview, Career Tips and the Practical Guide on how to write an effective Resume:

 https://au.jobted.com/blog/how-to-write-resume