In Focus Careers

Creating insanely great career education in Western Australia.

Category Archives: Career Advice


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She’s World Class and She’s Coming to Perth

Deirdre HughesAs the power of career guidance races at glacial speed into the consciousness of school leavers, the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) is working to put a spotlight on the value of career guidance by bringing Dr Deirdre Hughes to Australia.

She is one of the growing band of social justice warriors who is fighting to break down barriers to career opportunities.

You can see her talking about labour market and employer engagement in England HERE.

The issues she talks about are similar to ours and she was involved with developing a commitment to providing a career pathway for every young Londoner. That commitment is outlined in the London Ambitions Report which you can check out HERE. 

London Ambitions Report

I got in touch with her through LinkedIn and asked how we can lift the profile and resources of career development in Western Australia. She sent me a link to work she has just had published which Champions Careers in Derby in the UK.

Championing Careers

It provides a vision and strategy that includes mapping the local Derby careers ecosystem. It is a strategy that we could use as a template in WA.

She really is extraordinarily generous with her knowledge.

I hope you prioritise her workshop as your MUST ATTEND workshop for the year. We don’t often get to meet world leaders in our field in Perth.

It is on 4 May at the Mantra on Murray. You can register for the workshop HERE.

To join the In Focus Careers Network of careers experts around Western Australia go here:

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Your pathway to medicine in WA

Getting into medicine is a job. The competition is fierce and the pathway is rigorous. Many potential doctors fall by the wayside due to the strain of the application process.

This presentation was given to potential applicants for medicine courses in WA. Scitech Pathways to Medicine 2020

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During the summer holidays 30 students who were going into year 11 and 12 this year did a week long, hands on and theory course at the Harry Perkins Centre. The program is run by Scitech to help students to find out more about health careers in WA.

You can find a cut down version of the presentation HERE. Scitech Pathways to Medicine 2020

If you would like to develop your personal plan for getting into medicine, or an alternate health career, please contact me. 


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Career Advice Sets Up Social Justice

People roll their eyes and think about their sex life/cat/lunch, if I tell them I “democratise career opportunities”.

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No more!! I have finally found my tribe! I have found others who think like me. 

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One of them is Ronald Sultana.

The Careers Industry Council is putting on a webinar with Ronald Sultana called What would socially just career advice look like?

He argues that, in an increasingly unequal world, we need to take a clear stance in regard to the injustices and widening gap between the “haves” and “have nots” around us.

The webinar is on 18th February. You can register HERE.

Tristram Hooley

I also found this recent presentation on Why Politicians should care about career development by Professor Tristram Hooley.

Some of his slides are so inspirational that I have printed them off and stuck them up in my office. Tim Hooley Take Back Control

Yes. I am *#% crazy about career development.

I will keep you posted as I get inspired by others.

To tap into the expertise of the In Focus Careers Network subscribe here:

 

 

 

 


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Go to TAFE NOW! 15 – 17 year olds

15 – 17 year old students can go to TAFE full time. The State government guarantee 12 years of education for West Australian students. You can go to TAFE or school until the end of the year in which you turn 17.

School aged students get significantly cheaper course fees:

TAFE Fees 2020

The capped fees are available across Western Australia.

Contact your local TAFE college or Jobs and Skills Centre to find what courses are available.

See How to Leave School Early Guide

Join the In Focus Careers Network

In Focus Careers Network  supports members as we create a rich  resource of careers information and advice for West Australian school students.

Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Network to:

  • Get the latest news careers news for students, families and teachers.
  • Get resources designed for West Australians.
  • Become careers experts with links to the latest research, new teaching resources and PD opportunities, and
  • Plan the school career calendar using the Monthly Calendar of Events.


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Your Insanely Great Careers News in February

The First In Focus Careers Newsletter for WA High Schools in 2020 will be out on 29th January.

See:

  • Emerging Australian industries and where the jobs are coming from.
  • Scholarship information
  • Pre apprenticeship opportunities for February
  • A comparison of West Australian university rankings
  • Unusual ATAR cut off scores for 2020
  • A special careers feature for geography teachers.

There are 45 pages of information to help high school teachers to provide insanely great careers information to their students.

Magic Happens Careers Handbook

If your school subscribes and you haven’t received your copy of the Magic Happens Careers Handbook and Teachers’ Guide yet, email me at bev.j@infocus-careers.com.au and I will send it out.

Magic Happens

Join the In Focus Careers Network

In Focus Careers Network  supports members as we create a rich  resource of careers information and advice for West Australian school students. 

Subscribe to the In Focus Careers Network to:

  • Get the latest news careers news for students, families and teachers.
  • Get teaching resources designed for West Australians.
  • Become careers experts with links to the latest research, new teaching resources and PD opportunities, and
  • Plan the school career calendar using the Monthly Calendar of Events.

 

 


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Publishing is like putting your baby out into the world

If I hadn’t put so much work into this Handbook I wouldn’t be so worried.

I keep delaying putting out my Magic Happens – Year 10 Careers Handbook as I am not sure how she will cope out in the world.

If you subscribe to my INSANELY GREAT In Focus Careers Newsletter, you will automatically get a copy of the Handbook, and the Teachers’ Guide.

Give me a couple of days to go over it ONE MORE TIME, then I will send it out.

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If you would like to subscribe to my insanely great careers newsletter for 2020, and get your complimentary copy of the Magic Happens Handbook let me know.

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

I want In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for all West Australian students.

I undertake to:

  • Write 10 insanely great issues of In Focus Careers newsletter each year that focus on the needs of West Australian students and careers teachers.
  • Search for local, national and international information that could impact on the careers of West Australian students.
  • Connect you with insanely great careers teachers and industry experts across the In Focus Careers network.
  • Create resources that will empower you to make conscious and deliberate decisions for a great 21st century future.

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

 

 

 

 

 

 


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October Issue Out Now

October BannerPeople are losing faith in the ability of traditional leaders and institution to address problems of today and tomorrow.   No single organisation, discipline or philosophy has the answers to tackle the challenges thrown up by our volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world.

There is an explosion of activism as young people seek answers by connecting with like-minded people to create new approaches to problems.

A new generation of changemakers is striving to create a better future.

Career information can be the lynchpin that gives school students courage and connections with opportunities to create new ways of being in the world.

The October In Focus Careers Newsletter talks about new tools and strategies that can link your NOW to your best possible FUTURE.

Contact me for a complimentary copy of this insanely great newsletter:

 

 

 

 

 

 


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A life well lived after school

 

The National Youth Commission  is aiming to make leaving school LESS like jumping off a cliff  

Jump off a cliffSEE: Survival Tips for School Leavers

It held its West Australian hearings last week and a number of In Focus Careers subscribers gave presentations.

I sang my song about schools needing to adopt a collaboration framework that smooths transition out of school.  

I was on after Ross Wortham from the Youth Affairs Council who was passionate, articulare and smart as.

Ross Wortham

He spends his days advocating for the removal of barriers that stop youth having a life well lived.

If you are leaving school, it may be worth checking out the YACWA services HERE.

If you provide services to kids transitioning from school and you are NOT collaborating with YACWA it may be worth checking out how you can work together. 1+1=3

Back to the National Youth Commission. You can subscribe to its newsletter HERE.

To get a complimentary copy of my Insanely Great Newsletter for West Australians:

 


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Don’t worry FREE help is here

You don’t want to impose. You don’t want to be any trouble. They will think you are stupid.

  • There are 1000 reasons NOT to get in touch with a mentor.
  • There are a 1000 mentors out there aching to help young people to succeed.

The kids who put themselves forward are the ones who get the help. It takes guts to ask for help. It takes guts to want to succeed.

For Mentors

There is nothing more frustrating than having knowledge and networks developed over a lifetime of work and study that is no longer being used or valued.

For Students

You can tap into this pot of wisdom and network to support your giant leap into a fantastic future.

  • Be prepared to share your knowledge of apps and technology.
  • Be prepared to listen.

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Mentoring Programs

The Australian Business and Community Network

The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a not-for-profit organisation that connects business with students through mentoring and partnership programs. It aims to provide students with the skills and work experience they require to make sound personal, educational and vocational choices.

ABCN is supported by over 40 member companies and led by an experienced body of CEOs who participate in the programs and support their employees to do the same.

Together we work with a network of public schools across Australia to deliver a range of critical skills, employability and leadership programs that involve business professionals mentoring students. All programs are provided at no cost to the schools or the students.

ACBN

To find out more go HERE.

Beacon Foundation

The Beacon Foundation is another not-for- profit organisation that provides mentoring services. It works with schools, businesses and communities to inspire students to think about their future long before they leave school.

You can find more information HERE.

YMCA Mentoring

YMentoring is a community-based not-for-profit mentoring program operated by YMCA WA for youth living in the Perth Metropolitan area. It matches youth with a caring adult who can offer support, guidance and friendship for a minimum of 12 months. The service is offered to young people aged between 7 and 20 years. To find out more go HERE.

Pinnacle Foundation

The Pinnacle Foundation provides scholarships & mentorships to young LGBTIQ+ students to give them the chance to achieve their full potential, and Light The Spark within.

Search Mentor Programs Western Australia for more services that you can tap into.

Find your ideal career path and tap into all the support you need.

Get your professional career plan from Bev Johnson at In Focus Careers.

 

 

 


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In Focus Careers July Issue Out Today

July 2019The July issue of my insanely great newsletter went out to West Australian high schools today.

The key things to look for this month are:
  • Some of the big companies open their 2020 apprenticeships this week and the others will follow soon.
  • There are more pre-apprenticeships coming online next semester than I have ever seen in the past.
  • The uni open days are coming up and there are links on how to prepare.
  • There is information about Year 10 subject selections.
  • There are links to scholarships for 2020

I also take a look at the future through futurist Faith Popcorn’s framework – that was a bit of fun.

Email me for  a complementary copy of my insanely great newsletter: 

To find what others think of my insanely great newsletter go HERE.