Year 12 students may have finished their schooling but are still facing one more obstacle: deciding on their career paths.
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Wagga High School careers adviser Annie Fellows said what many students feel is an overwhelming decision, there are many paths that can be taken to reach their dream job.
“I always tell kids wanting to go to university that when their ATAR comes out it’s not like money, they don’t have to spend it all,” Ms Fellows said.
“For example, if they’ve always wanted to do a certain career or course, just because their ATAR varies either higher or lower, it doesn’t mean they can’t continue to follow that passion or their dream.
“I think it’s really important for students to explore all options, whether that’s TAFE, university or having a gap-year and for them to use their networks and the supportive people around them for advice.”
Clare Gaynor, 18-years-old, has just graduated from Kildare Catholic College and has been offered an early place in the K-12 bachelor of education at Wagga’s Charles Sturt University.
“I was looking for a university that was close to home, but somewhere that was going to offer me a little bit of change or something different,” she said.
Ms Gaynor said she chose the teaching course in Wagga primarily because of the location, rather than the course fees.
“I ended up choosing this course because all my family is here and I had a lot of supportive people around me who wanted me to follow my dream,” she said.
“I looked at uni in Wollongong and Latrobe in Albury, but I’d love to be among Wagga that is alive and is expanding.
“For me, I always knew I was going to pay my own way through uni and into HECS debt, but I chose where I felt most comfortable before the fees.”
CSU’s prospective student adviser Hilary Matchett offered her top tips when students are choosing the right course for them.
“You go to uni to get a job so I tell students wanting to go to university, to research universities and their graduate employment rates for each course,” Ms Matchett said.
“A graduation employment rate of two to four months is a good indication, but it’s important to look at certain course rates not just a university as a whole.
Ms Matchett said it is also important for students to look at the practical side of employment and courses which have work placements embedded into the course.
“Nursing and education which require accreditation and work experience is important in areas of business and communication because it will give students the chance to see if they like the profession,” she said.
Ms Matchett said students often fall into the trap of choosing a course or a university based on what their friends are doing.
“Prospective students should also look at universities that offer experiences in their interests, whether that is in sport, theatre and clubs,” CSU’s careers adviser said.
“Stepping onto campus is also important, because it allows you to visualise yourself being there; you wouldn’t buy a car without driving it, a university course is an investment too.
“Also, students should speak to the professionals, the people in the industry, asking about the day-to-day life as expectations versus reality are usually completely different.”
Ultimately, Ms Matchett said students should spend some time researching their courses and not put too much pressure on themselves.
“‘Asking students what they want to be when they grow up is the worst question because it places so much pressure and there’s always plenty of options available to land that dream course,” she said.
“Students should not be afraid to explore and if they aren’t sure, they can start in a broader course like arts, or business and then into something they really like later on.
“It’s not always about taking the fastest train, the scenic route is just as good.”
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