YEAR 12

UOW DISCOVERY DAY - TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY

The Discovery Day at UOW Wollongong Campus was unfortunately postponed. Hopefully this event will be rescheduled for later in the year and all information will be sent to parents and students should that occur.

UNI CHATS @ LUNCH 

Throughout Term 1 there will be information sessions run, during lunchtime, by various Universities for Year 12 students to attend. The confirmed Universities include Macquarie, Notre dame, ACU, UNSW, UNE, UTS and ANU. As many students have not been able to attend open days, as they have been cancelled over the past few years, this is an excellent opportunity for Year 12 students to listen to information directly from the source and ask their question directly. 

The University of Sydney (US) is holding information Webinars, in the afternoon for 30 minutes, about their excellent Bachelor degree programs. Upcoming events include Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Veterinary. These would be recommended for any Year 12 student considering these courses. Find further information here. 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Advantage - early entry program is now open. To apply, students will need to provide Year 11 results, through Studentsonline, and answer some questions. 

For more information please see Mrs Carla Hill or register for the information Webinar on Tuesday 1 March.

Girls Engineering UNSW - Year 11 and 12 

The GIE FEAS Program is a new alternate pathway program for female-identifying high school students in Year 11 and 12 who will be applying for an eligible engineering degree at UNSW Sydney and expecting an ATAR within the FEAS eligibility* range.

This is for students who want to make a difference in the world, have an interest in helping others and would love to learn how engineering can solve problems in disadvantaged communities, then this program is for you!

It is all online and the fee is returned upon completion. Watch the video for more information and apply here.

CAREER MYTHS

Career myths are thoughts or ideas that we or those around us might have about careers, finding work or landing your dream job that perhaps aren’t necessarily true anymore.

The world is constantly changing, and the ways we can get on with work and careers is changing too.

MYTH #1: THERE IS ONE ‘BEST’ CAREER FOR EVERYONE

We’re bombarded with ideals like ‘follow your passion’ and ‘find your purpose’ to find the work that’s ‘best’ for you.

All the work or jobs we do should be treated as an opportunity to learn, helping us uncover the things we’re innately good at that we can use to motivate us towards the career that fits us best.

You don’t have to be wildly passionate about your job if it’s a stepping stone helping you to develop your career ideas. It’s also important to remember that for many people, their ‘best’ career will be made up of a few different things, rarely is it one concrete thing.

MYTH #2: ‘LOVE WHAT YOU DO & YOU’LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.’

You can love what you do AND still find it a bit stressful, boring or frustrating at times!

Research tells us that when we don’t feel challenged or that we’ve strived for our achievements, we don’t feel like we’ve achieved them successfully at all.

Feeling like you’re working while enjoying the work is a great sign you’ve found a career path that challenges and pushes you in the right ways.

MYTH #3: YOU HAVE TO MATCH ALL THE ‘REQUIREMENTS’ TO GET THE JOB

The truth is you don’t have to meet every single requirement listed in a job advertisement – especially if you’ve got additional skills or experience that showcase your adaptability and capability.

If you believe you can do the job and are a good match, save for one or two requirements, you should absolutely put yourself out there.

Just make sure you’re realistic when it comes to knowing the difference between being almost qualified and not even close!

MYTH #4: IF YOU DON’T GET GOOD GRADES, YOU WON’T BE SUCCESSFUL

Getting high grades is always helpful, and yeah, it feels good, but grades are only one small part of building a career you love.

There are so many options available now for young people to get onto the pathways that feel right for them. Whether it’s a traineeship, apprenticeship, school-leaver based career roles or something else, don’t let grades define how you approach your career.

A positive mindset, determination, willingness to learn and commitment are all equally important.

MYTH #5: ONCE YOU PICK A PATH, YOU HAVE TO STICK TO IT

Have you heard the story of Terry Robinson, who, at the age of 70, started a new career working in a hardware retail store as an apprentice? After retiring, Terry was bored, so he decided to apply his knowledge by helping customers with their DIY needs — through working at B&Q, a UK hardware store.

It’s a great example that you can always change your career path – anytime you like! If you start in a career and decide that it isn’t for you after all, don’t panic. Use the experience to help you determine what you want to do – and then put in the work to go after it.

We don’t have to stay in one career for our entire lives. You’ll never be too old to start something new or change direction!

Mrs Carla Hill

Transition and Pathways Specialist