
Telephone: 9488 1900 • Fax: 9481 6135 • info@fitzroyhs.vic.edu.au • Falconer Street NORTH FITZROY 3068
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Archive Career News

July - October 2007

October 2007 Careers News

WOW pilot program 2007 - 25 October

Last week 20 students from Year 10 participated in a pilot program called Worlds of Work (WOW) in the city. WOW is a new groundbreaking program that is being tried out this year with only ten schools. It helped participants explore many aspects of themselves and their future aspirations, with a core question of ‘What does it take to succeed in the global world of life and work?'

Throughout the week we met a whole range of people from a variety of workplaces. This included Myer, The Smith Family, Challenger, Telstra and Connell Wagner. We also took part in various workshops about ourselves, which proved very interesting. On top of this we listened to many inspirational speakers, talked to people and travelled around the city learning and having a great time.

I remember thinking on the first day that we would probably end up sitting in a classroom, somewhere in the city learning about the world of work. I was pleasantly surprised when our first activity turned out to be a visit to the viewing deck of the Eureka tower! From here onwards the program kept getting better and better and I fell comfortably into the routine of spending each day in the city. The only thing that put a blight on the program was travelling to the city and back in peak hour every day!

For me the Worlds of Work program was a fantastic experience. I felt a lot clearer afterwards about my life and started to get a sense of where I want to go, or at least a few things that I would like to do in my life. Also I found it very enjoyable simply being in the city during the day and witnessing all that goes on. I’m pretty sure I can speak for the rest of the people who participated in the WOW program, in saying that it was a very enjoyable, eye opening experience and one that we would definitely do again!

Nicholas D-B

VE&T Orientation Evenings Units 1 and 2

A VE&T Orientation Evening timetable can be found by clicking the link below. There have been some minor changes to the compulsory orientation evenings for students and parents. All sessions run from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Please note the first sessions commence next week.

VE&T Orientation Evening timetable

GirlSpace 2008 – Work Skills for Today’s Girl

Swinburne University of Technology, in conjunction with IMVC, is offering a course based around Retail Beauty & Cosmetic Services and PA skills. The course will run from 9.00am-3.30pm on Thursdays for 35 weeks. Applications are due by November 15th. Please see me for further information.

Introduction to Restaurant Waiting and Introduction to Bar Skills

For Years 10 and 11 students wishing to hone their hospitality skills in readiness for part-time work, two courses are on offer through the Inner Melbourne VE&T Cluster, in conjunction with the Swanston Hotel Grand Mecure. Training will be delivered on site at The Swanston Hotel, Grand Mecure, by industry experts from the hotel.
The Restaurant Waiting course covers restaurant styles, waiter qualities, personal hygiene/grooming, customer expectations, table setting, and service, tools of the trade and an introduction to wines. The Bar Skills course is ideal for senior school students wishing to develop basic bar operations skills. The course covers bar types, Bar Attendant qualities, personal hygiene/grooming, customer expectations, selling techniques, tools of the trade, tray carrying, garnishes and an introduction to spirits, liqueurs, beers and cocktails. Courses cost $45.00 per student and run for about half a day. To get either course up an running we need a minimum of ten and maximum of 14 students.
Please see or email me to register your interest.

Worlds of Work - 11 October 2007

Twenty students from Scarlet will be participating in a week long Worlds of Work (WOW) Pilot program commencing next week. The WOW program recognises that the one job or career for life model will not apply for our young people and aims to better equip students by expanding their possibilities and developing enterprise skills and strategies. The students will be exploring the essential question: What does it take to succeed in the global world of life and work?
Watch this space for more information as we report after the event.

A Career in Sport, Tourism or Hospitality?

Courses in these areas have many career outcomes. To help plan your career path the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at La Trobe has produced a guide to the structure of the industry. Get one from Andrew Wilson, 9479 2136, Andrew.wilson@latrobe.edu.au

Monash on Show

To find out more about Monash without needing to visit, try the website www.monash.edu.au/on-show which provides a glimpse of the university for those who have not visited - pictures, links to campus tours, faculty videos.

NMIT Information Sessions

Commencing this week NMIT are hosting a number of information sessions regarding courses on offer for 2008, including VCAL options. For more information go to www.nmit.vic.edu.au

RMIT Open Door Program

In the first week of December, RMIT are once again providing Years 10 and 11 students the chance to participate in one of their week-long programs on offer. Courses include: Aeronautical Engineering, Australian Criminal Justice, Clothing and Fashion – Textiles, Desktop Publishing and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning. Earlier in the year we had students attend Aeronautical Engineering, Australian Criminal Justice and Desktop Publishing. Feedback was very positive and the experience really assisted in future career decision making. Cost is $90.00 per course. Please email me to register interest.

Swinburne Discovery Day

Next week students from Jet will be spending a day at Swinburne University of Technology. They will gain some familiarity with the campus as well as have a taste of a number of courses. Students will participate in three workshops ranging from Robotics and Mechatronics, Biomedicine, Psychology of Attention, Advertising for Curious Cats, 3D Graphics and Computer Game Design.

What about an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships offer challenging and fulfilling careers, using technical and creative talent. Today 400,000 Australians are doing an apprenticeship, compared with 150,000 11 years ago. Apprenticeships give you qualifications/skills recognised anywhere in Australia. Many trades have skills shortages (identified by the Dept. of Employment and Workplace Relations) eg aircraft maintenance engineers, auto electricians, bakers, bricklayers, carpenters, cooks, fibrous plasterers, fitters, gasfitters, electricians, hairdressers, joiners, locksmiths, mechanics, welders, plumbers, tilers, vehicle painters etc - www.australia.gov.au/skillsforthefuture.

Folio Preparation for Tertiary Art and Design

For students needing to present a folio as part of the selection criteria for tertiary courses such as Fine Arts, Communication/Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Architecture and Fashion Design, private workshops are available – call 96994380 or 0417527915. Dates: 20, 27 October, 3 November. Cost $300.

School Based Apprenticeship in Hairdressing

Pivot Point is holding an information session on their school based apprenticeship program on Thursday 18th October. Please phone 9670 1200 to register and for further information.

Previous Careers News

Vocational Education and Training (VE&T)

On Monday, the Jet Team were given a taste of what their Year 10 experience might include. The team were introduced to the VE&T programs on offer in 2008. These are nationally accredited vocational programs ranging from automotive, broadcasting to hospitality and music industry technical production – just to name a few. Students were given an information sheet to take home.
Current Year 10 students may also pick up a VE&T course commencing in Year 11, or, if they are completing units 1 and 2 this year, they may continue with units 3 and 4 next year.
The Inner Melbourne VE&T Cluster handbook is available from the careers office or can be downloaded from http://www.imvc.com.au/docs/pdf/imvc_handbook_2008_v4.pdf
An information night will be hosted for Jet students and their families on Monday 17th September at 7pm. We will provide information on VE&T as well as commencing VCE subjects next year as part of their Year 10 program.
To apply for a VE&T course or continue with units 3 and 4 next year, students must complete and submit an enrolment form (in handbook or from Careers Office) and hand it to me by Wednesday 19 September.

Work Experience 2008

The Jet Team were also briefed on organising their Work Experience for next year. Large organisations and popular placements often have closing dates at the end of this year for Work Experience placements occurring next year. In 2008 Work Experience will take place in the last two weeks of Term 2, 16 – 27 June. Students were given an information sheet to take home.

Fine Dining

Thank you to Rustin B, John C, Jemima D, Lenna P and Nhia V, who joined me for lunch at St Georges, the fine dining hospitality training venue at NMIT. We were treated to a delicious lunch, served in beautifully presented surrounds. Thanks also to Belinda H, Marley M and Peter B, who were able to join us for a very large and sumptuous dessert. We visited NMIT to look over the campus and explore alternative educational pathways.

Holiday Work

The Coles Group, incorporating Coles, Liquorland, 1st Choice, Vintage Cellars, Kmart and Coles Express, is about to commence its annual recruiting campaign for seasonal work over the festive period. Positions are available from September through to January 2008. Interested students are encouraged to refer to the posters outside the TDU or in the Careers Office, or visit the following address to apply: www.colesgroup.com.au/careers. Search under job no. 25741

Careers at the Zoo

Limited vacancies are available to attend a one-day program for secondary students (Years 9-11). This program provides all you need to know about working at the Zoo and will be run on October 11. All interested students please email or see me ASAP.

Work Experience snapshots

Thanks to Karlo for sharing his experiences at the ABC:

Thursday, 28th June 2007 -

This was it, filming day! Everyone, (including me) didn’t come in until lunchtime, because the filming didn’t start until 7, and there wasn’t much for us to do before then. Once things were starting to get interesting, I got to sit in as a Brains Trust Member for the rehearsal of the filming.

Here’s a photo:

After the rehearsal, people started to arrive for the pre-drinks party. It was my job to usher people through to the right place, and make sure they didn’t get lost in the building! Soon, it was time to film the Grand Final. I sat up in the control room when they filmed it, so I got to see everything that goes on behind the scenes. It was all very exciting, but then they finished filming, and it was time to go home.

What I learnt today:
What goes on when filming a TV show
Got an idea of the action behind the scenes, the rush trying to get all the contestants and Brains Trust members ready for the show
How to usher people to a party, and be polite and friendly to people to make sure they feel happy and excited about the filming

Open Days

I have been pleased to hear that a number of our students and their families are attending the recent Open Days. In attending these events, it can crystallize thoughts young people may be having about their futures.
Open Days this Sunday 19th August:
The University of Melbourne Open Day, Parkville, Ph 1800 801 662, www.services.unimelb.edu.au/openday/
Victoria College of the Arts Open Day, St Kilda Road 10-4pm, www.vca.unimelb.edu.au

VET Music Performance Concert

A number of our students who participate in the VE&T Music Course will be performing their own original compositions at the Performance Centre at University High School this Saturday night at 7.30 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and are available from University High on 9347 2022.

Cricket Victoria Sports Development Program

Please see the flyer in FHS Newsletter 16 August 2007 outlining this fantastic opportunity for Years 11 & 12 students in 2008.

Careers at Work -Engineering and Plumbing

Would you like to know what it is like to be an Engineer or a Plumber? You can find out be participating in a Careers @ Work Program organised by the Inner Melbourne VE&T Cluster. Please see Sandra for further information. The Alternative Therapies program, mentioned last week, has been postponed.

VACC Auto Apprenticeships

VACC are currently looking for suitable candidates to take part in their Australian School Based Apprenticeships (ASBA) program commencing in 2008.
70% of students participating in VACC's Automotive Australian School Based Apprenticeship Program are securing full time apprenticeships with their nominated host employers. Students currently studying Year 10 or Year 11 can obtain more information and download an application from the following website: www.autoapprenticeships.com.au or contact Rob Walker and Heath Blair, VACC Auto Apprenticeships on 98291130.

University Open Days

August is the month for University Open Days. Details as follows:

19th August - The University of Melbourne Open Day, Parkville, Ph 1800 801 662, www.services.unimelb.edu.au/openday/
19th August - Victoria College of the Arts Open Day, St Kilda Road 10-4pm, www.vca.unimelb.edu.au
26th August - Swinburne University of Technology Open Day, www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
26th August - La Trobe University Open Day, Bundoora Campus, www.latrobe.edu.au/openday

Careers at Work

The Inner Melbourne VE&T Cluster in conjunction with Kangan Batman TAFE are offering two one-day Careers at Work programs - Alternative Therapies (please see the attached flyer) and Engineering.
We already have one student expressing interest in attending Alternative Therapies. However it is on next Thursday, so any other interested students should see me on Monday. My understanding is that at this stage all 15 places are available for Fitzroy High School students.

Work Experience - student perspective

Thanks to Jordan, Sophie and Viv for providing their few snapshots of Work Experience:

For my work experience I worked with a carpenter in Brighton. This meant getting up very early and catch public transport to Brighton each day - I was always on time. The days were long but I liked the experience. It was pretty fun. I used tools such as a power saw, hammer and nail gun. While I was there we did measuring, framing, cleaning and we put in a floor of a building. By the last day we had finished the second floor. I enjoyed my work experience.
Jordan B

My first week of work experience was at a publishing group called Nicholson Media. From the start they made me feel welcome, although it did take me a few days to get used to travelling to work and settle in to the workplace. I felt like I did my work quite productively and to a reasonably high standard. It was a great experience for me, I picked up a lot of useful skills and I'm glad that they accepted me for the week.
Viv M

I was interested in working in photography and I completed my two weeks of work Experience at Dezine by Mauro, a wedding photographer in Brunswick Street. This included eight days of sleeping in - I didn't start til late - filing and talking to the employers. I found the work I was given was easy and I usually completed it faster than expected, so I found myself running errands and completing other workers' tasks.
At the end of all this, my employer decided that, as I had helped so much to minimise the chaotic atmosphere in the office, he offered me the opportunity to work with in the business after school. Work experience turned out to be a great experience for me.
Sophie F

As a point of interest, Mauro is an ex-Fitzroy High School student and has fond memories of the school. He claims photography at school was his saviour. He won an Agfa competition for his photographic work and won 8 enlargers for the school. Unfortunately when the school was closed these enlargers disappeared.

Sandra
Careers Counsellor
sandrad@fitzroyhs.vic.edu.au

Telephone: 9488 1900 • Fax: 9481 6135 • info@fitzroyhs.vic.edu.au • Falconer Street NORTH FITZROY 3068