If you want to go into a building trade the job prospects are great, the pay is a whole lot better than aged or child care and you have opportunities to go into design, running your own business or project management.
If you would like working in building trades start looking at the big companies first. They are the ones with systems in place that reduce sexism and they try to make workplaces fair.
Check out the companies on their site, that are working with them and create a shortlist of which companies would be best to work for.
If you Hate School
Students who hate school might want to try their luck at getting an apprenticeship while the employer subsidies are available and the building industry is booming.
You are allowed to leave school early if you go into a job or into training. An apprenticeship is a job WITH training.
Subscribe to In Focus Careers
To get all of the latest information about careers in WA subscribe to the insanely great In Focus Careers Newsletter.
The School Leavers#WorkandWander program could be a way forward for school leavers. It provides paid work and a bit of an adventure.
Work and Wander Horticulture Harvest
This is a State government program which is trying to attract workers to help harvest crops. Workers are needed for fruit, vegetables and agriculture crops.
I just got this email through from Brook Lodge Backpackers who asked me to spread the word about picking jobs in Donnybrook:
Brook Lodge backpackers
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We are looking for workers to pick fruit from November onwards.
If you are looking for extra cash in the holidays, please get in touch with us.
If you relocate more than 100kms from your home (Donnybrook is 198kms from Perth City), the Government will pay you up to $40 per day towards your accommodation costs.
They may also pay you a one-off travel allowance of $150 to come and work in Donnybrook.
(Allowances are for Australian Residents and Citizens only)
If you don’t have a car, we can provide transport to and from the farms
The WA Government ‘Work and Wander out Yonder’ marketing campaign encourages young Western Australians to have a backpacking adventure in WA. As a first step it would be great is students could create worker profile at: https://www.jobsinregionalwa.com.au
On that page the student go to the Looking for a Job Registration page that includes an “Elevator Pitch – Tell us about who you are”. In that section Students should consider they type of work they are interested in and include terms like ‘looking for summer work in agriculture’ ‘interested in working on a farm’ as well as any past work experience ‘I have driven my uncle’s tractor’ as some examples. Students can also search for jobs on Gumtree and Seek as a useful place to see jobs already on offer and even apply directly.
This is a Federal government service that finds workers for fruit/vege growers and vineyards in South West and around Perth’s outer North Eastern area. They are keen to connect with school leavers and have jobs available in coming weeks in Waroona, Margaret River, Lancelin, Gingin, Manjimup, Donnybrook, Bullsbrook as a starting point. I suggest anyone looking for work follow them on Facebook – Rural Enterprises Harvest Trail Services or email them.
Primary Industries Workers Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme
A daily accommodation rebate of up $40 p/night is paid for each night away from the worker’s usual place of residence, where the worker relocates more than 100km from their home to undertake agriculture, fisheries or food processing work in regional WA. Paid on a rebate system, the rate of a maximum of $40 night ($280 week) is available for up to 12 weeks (capped at $3,360 per person) where they have provided evidence of paying for accommodation from the 21 September 2020.
$$$Plus
They can claim a relocation allowance if they have relocated more than 100kms from their usual place of residence. $150 is paid for employment taken up in in Peel, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Mid-West, Goldfields. $350 in n Gascoyne & Pilbara $350; and $500 for employment in Kimberley. The relocation payment claim be claimed even if they are not claiming the accommodation rebate (if they are getting free accommodation from a friend or relative as an example).
Claims open on 21st October, and they can register online to be advised as soon as claim forms and guidelines are available.
It doesn’t matter how smart you are, if you come across as rude, lazy… or just not interested, you will not get the job.
I have employed people because they are “nice” over applicants with higher qualifications who clearly thought they were too good for the job I was offering.
Speak to any employer and they will tell you that they want workers who they can get along with. They also want them to turn up, on time, today AND tomorrow and be enthusiastic.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS to WIN THAT JOB
Interpersonal and people skills (being nice)
Communication and teamwork skills (getting along with the team)
Adaptability and resilience (willing to help out and change direction when things are tough)
Digital literacy, critical thinking and problem solving are way down on the list behind these attributes of a great employee.
In her Building Back Better interview on the ABC program, The Money Lisa Fowkes says employers want employees who know how to work. They don’t want kids who have a Certificate II in employability skills.
There is no substitute for the authentic experience of going to work, learning to work with other people, learning to work towards a concrete outcome.
If you are 18 you are probably out of luck at McDonalds as they like to employ younger workers and train them up so that they are ready to take on management responsibilities at 18.
Big retail outlets like Bunnings and jbhifi are booming during COVID so you may have more luck there.
Look on the usual job sites like Seek and Indeed, and also look on Facebook pages like Perth Jobs. These Facebook pages are free to advertise on so many employers are going there with their job ads.
Many outlets, like your local IGA, will ask you to fill out a standard form.
Make sure:
They can read your writing.
Your phone number is clear.
Your email is NOT CutiefromCottesloe@gmail.com or LazyGuyinBroome@hotmail.com
Many employers will Google you before they offer you a job so clean up your digital profile.
Your Resume is Your Pitch, You Don’t Tell Your Life Story to Win a Job
If you have never written a job application or covering letter go to Youth Central for advice.
WORK EXPERIENCE IS BRIEF, BUT AUTHENTIC
Students usually have the opportunity to do work experience in Year 10, and later if they choose the right courses.
Try to impress
If you get a good employer and if luck is on your side, your work experience could lead to a part time job. You should at least be able to get a reference or have them say they are willing to give you a phone reference if you are going for a job.
The State Government has developed a Work Placement Register of government departments willing to take on students from government schools.
Tip
The trick with work experience is that school insurance doesn’t cover you if the experience is not part of a school program. If you get an opportunity to do work experience outside of a school program, go to see your careers advisor or year coordinator to see if they can organise insurance for you.
MENTORS, SPONSORS AND COACHES (Stand on the Shoulders of Giants)
PLEASE see your career advisor or year coordinator and ask if they can help you to get a mentor.
Mentors are priceless. They often work with you for about 3 months. If you are nice (see Interpersonal and People Skills above) they may continue to help you after the formal mentoring has ended.
Mentors can help you to develop employability skills.
There are mentoring programs like those run by the Beacon Foundation and the Australian Business and Community Network. Sometimes a school alumni will run a program for the school. Organisations like Rotary and local business networks may be willing to run them.
Coach a junior sport team, lead a youth group, help to organise Chinese New Year celebrations. All of these experiences add credibility to your resume. They also help you to build your network. The benefit here is that people in your clubs and community groups have probably known you for years and they know your family. They will be happy to give you a reference and may even have a job opportunity for you.
The great thing about volunteering is that you can try lots of different jobs. Three months of volunteering should be enough to make a good impression and learn if you are interested in that industry.
You can find volunteering suggestions HERE or email me for a copy so that you get the live links Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au . You can find volunteer opportunities on the Seek site, just look for the Volunteering tap at the top. A Google search for volunteer opportunities in your suburb or area will also give you suggestions.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Running your own business will give you heaps of work skills.
It doesn’t have to be a million dollar business. I know young people who run a babysitting club. A friend’s daughter set up an office cleaning business while at uni. My garden needs weeding and I can’t find anyone to do it.
Don’t muck around with this. Remember that your goal is to learn, not just to make some small change.
Go to the Small Business Development Corporation site. It gives heaps of free advice on how to start your business. You can go in and get advice in a face to face meeting.
Once you have left school you can enrol in the NEIS Scheme program that will assist you to set up your business.
Over the last couple of weeks the news has been reporting on all of the jobs being lost at universities in WA due to COVID 19 impacts. The unis are all working like crazy trying to attract local students and they are making it easier and easier to get in next year.
Preparation Courses
You can get into uni in Western Australia by doing a university preparation course. Most universities have at least one of these on offer.
After doing the course you may be offered a place at uni, which you don’t have to accept.
They are generally free.
You may be able to complete one before the start of the 2021 academic year.
You find out about a range of different courses that may interest you.
They are generally a semester long so you can start your degree in Semester 2.
You learn about university life without having the pressure of a full degree program.
Although each course is different there are usually 4 subject like….
Academic Writing
Communication Skills
Essential Maths
Research Skills and Information Literacy
UWA
ATAR-based entry
Normal ATAR entry through TISC applications will be the standard entry pathway for 2021. Find details HERE.
UWAY
UWAY – This is an alternative entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances.
The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies. You can apply for alternative entry to an undergraduate degree course through UWay if your academic achievements have been adversely affected by certain disadvantages.
Fairway
Fairway UWA is an admission entry pathway and comprehensive support program for students completing Year 12 under challenging circumstances. The program provides academic, financial and personal support, and it is responsive to individual student needs, throughout their final year of secondary school and during their university studies.
The Broadway scheme allows eligible students from a Broadway-identified Western Australian school to receive an automated ATAR adjustment if the school at which they completed their final WACE examinations:
UWA will provide an offer based on a student’s predicted ATAR from the end of Year 11. We may require a diagnostic interview to identify any additional support that may be required, including bridging units, once they arrive at UWA. At this stage Year 12 students must still sit their Year 12 exams and, when results are released, if their ATAR is higher than their predicted ATAR, they can update their application if they’d like to change their course. Find details HERE.
First in Family
If you have received an ATAR of 75-79.95 and will be the first in your family to attend university, you may still be eligible for a place at UWA. If you have a sibling at uni you are still eligible for First in Family consideration.
In recognition of the unique set of challenges Year 12 students are facing this year, 18 and 19-year-old students who are taking insufficient ATAR-based subjects or are not taking ATAR, will be eligible to sit the STAT test and a diagnostic interview as above.
The Predicted ATAR entry pathway is not applicable for Direct Pathways to Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Podiatry. The STAT test pathway is not available for any Direct Pathways or the Bachelor of Philosophy. The application process for these courses will be communicated shortly.
Applicants who have a VET Diploma can apply for entry to an undergraduate course. Find details HERE.
Indigenous Study Pathways
Did you know Indigenous students can gain entry to UWA without an ATAR? There are various pathways for gaining entry to UWA, and once you’re here, there is great support to help you settle in. Learn more about the Aboriginal Orientation Course and the Provisional Entry Scheme. Find details HERE.
UWA Foundation Program for International Students
The UWA Foundation Program is the most effective path to a place at UWA for international students. Successful completion of the program guarantees entry to an undergraduate degree, subject to any quotas or prerequisites.
School leavers must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved their WACE and meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
School leavers who wait until semester 2 to apply will be classified as Non School Leavers and will need to demonstrate how they meet ECU’s English Competency Requirements.
Edith Cowan College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of ECU’s Bachelor Degree program
Curtin University
Normal ATAR Entry
If you apply to TISC before 1 October with Curtin as your first preference, and you receive and accept an offer from us, we’ll refund your application fee of $55.
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) provides an admission pathway to university if you don’t hold other qualifications that are acceptable for entry. It’s a test designed to assess aptitude for learning at tertiary level.
Curtin College is a bit like a TAFE. It is on the Curtin campus in Bentley and offers a range of courses that either prepare you for uni or give you credits towards a degree.
Portfolio Entry is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
Indigenous Enabling Course
If you’re of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and you haven’t met the requirements for an undergraduate (degree) course, we offer a range of enabling courses. These short programs can help you meet the requirements for your chosen course, as well as equip you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed at university.
Not everyone has the same opportunities to achieve their true academic potential. You may have the ability to succeed at university but not had the educational, financial or social opportunities to focus on your studies and achieve a high enough Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for entry.
Graduating from TAFE can qualify you for entry to Curtin, so many students who didn’t successfully complete year 12 use it as a stepping stone to university.
If you are finishing Year 12 in 2020 and aiming to start university in 2021, then HorizonsPlus could be for you. This program provides an entry pathway into Murdoch.
On Track Sprint
On Track Sprint is a 4 week course run over the Christmas holidays. It is going to be a TISC option for 2021 selections. The course prepares you for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
On Track
On Track is a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70. It is FREE.
FlexiTrack
FlexiTrack– can be done over 1 semester, accelerated 10 weeks, or 2 semesters at part time and this is entirely online.
Law Start
Law Startis an admission pathway for academically capable students who wish to study Law at Murdoch University. To be eligible to apply you must have completed one or more ATAR subjects with a strong focus on communication and essay writing skills. Acceptable subjects will include but not limited to English, English Literature, Modern History, Politics and Legal Studies.
TIC10
TLC10 – prepares students to apply for Murdoch through a 1 day per week course that runs all year in Mandurah and Rockingham.
Portfolio
Portfolio Entry – you can gain entry to courses that rely on creative talent in media, games art and design and creative writing, photography and web communication via a portfolio demonstrating your work + a number of hoops like WACE and English competence. You also need a letter of endorsement from a teacher and a 500 word application – which a school based career advisor can help you to write.
For Portfolio entry try the Domestic Admissions Team on 9360 7458 or send an email by following this link
KTrack
KTrack – is offered through our Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre and is open to students who identify with the ATSI community.
You have to leave school at the end of year 12. Hanging around would be creepy.
Create an Interview Folio
Put COPIES of your stuff in your folio and put the original in a safe place.
You folio can have:
Your resume/CV Youth Central provides tips for school students. Remember, your resume is not your life story, it is your pitch to a potential employer.
Your application for the job/scholarship/course you are going for. You can get help from a Jobs and Skills Centre to do this.
References from teachers, coaches, mentors
Photos of prizes you have won
Reports
Certificates
Creative work (photos of you working on a car, building something, doing community service, art, cooking)
Anything else you can think of that will show you in a good light.
To get many jobs in Western Australia you need a driver’s licence. If you haven’t started to get one, start now. Go to this site to get started.
Tax File Number
If you want to get paid employment you will need a Tax File Number. You can apply HERE.
Bank Account
If you haven’t got a bank account, you will need one. Go to the MoneySmart site to get financial advice on how to manage money now that it is largely invisible. That site also has a budget planner.
In Perth they currently have four properties which are managed by UniLodge Australia:
Erica Underwood House,
Guild House,
Kurrajong Village and
Vickery House.
Each property is located within easy walking distance to the centre of campus, and Curtin are currently offering a discount of up to $2,500* when you live on campus for the full 2021 academic year!
In 2022 Curtin will be opening two new student accommodation options (a new halls of residence and a college!) in Perth as part of their ‘Exchange Precinct’.
ECU has accommodation at Mt Lawley, Joondalup and Bunbury. They call the accommodation ECU “villages” which isn’t quite accurate as they don’t look like villages, although the social life may make up for that.
Notre Dame Fremantle has accommodation in old buildings near the university. It has the funkiest accommodation to be found at any WA university. You can watch a video on Notre Dame accommodation HERE.
UWA student accommodation is across the road from the campus. I always thought it would be exotic to stay in the St George’s castle, although the rooms were cold and musty when I was at UWA.
If there is a job going in our business, we will give it to a family member first.
If no one in our family wants it, we will check our friends or our friends’ kids.
We give jobs to people we know. It’s always been like that.
Most jobs don’t get advertised. We give jobs to family and friends, or friends of friends. If we can’t find someone through our network and have to advertise, we will try to find someone who is like us.
Five tips that will help you to network your way into a job.
1. Don’t be phony
Australians hate crawlers. We hate people who try to be your friend just for what they can get from you.
Stick to your values and be true to yourself first. If people don’t like the real you, it isn’t worth trying to be someone you are not.
Sir Richard Branson is one of the richest guys in the world and everyone loves him.
He is always smiling.
I bet he isn’t always happy, or nice, but most of us don’t see that. Everyone wants him on their team. He is fun. I want to know him.
Be nice, smile.
3. Be Seen
If people haven’t seen you for ages they are not going to think of you when a job comes up.
Sitting at home in your pyjamas, waiting for an opportunity to knock, is not going to help.
Random visits to friends, footy games, family picnics are a good step. Always let people know that you are looking for work and what sort of work you are looking for.
You can also become more targeted with your desire to be seen and noticed.
I went to school with Greg Yurisich who became a world famous opera singer. Placido Domingo said Greg was his favourite baritone.
Greg left school and went to work in a clerical job for the ABC in Perth. It didn’t take long for him to get to know people in the orchestra, and to meetin singers visiting from all parts of the world.
Greg was seen in the ABC in Perth long before he performed in all the major opera houses and concert halls of the world. Having a magnificent voice was a good start, but there is nothing more common than wasted talent. Part of Greg’s success strategy was making sure people knew he existed.
4. Do stuff
Join a club, do volunteer work, play sport. You can’t change the world sitting at home in your pyjamas.
The more people you know, the more likely you are to find job leads. Your perfect employer isn’t going to come knocking at your door.
Find Guy Kawasaki’s tips on how to get people to like you HERE.
5. Unearth Your Own Network
Even a hermit on a deserted island probably has a friend who misses him.
It can be hard to see what is right in front of you.
Try creating a mind map of all the people who could possibly help you.
For each person put one thing that they could do to help you.
Forget resilience. Forget the struggle. Forget pleasing others. Everyone deserves a great life without all that.
Once you know what your great life would look like, you can forget the ongoing internal battle about what is right for you and set off in the right direction.
When you find your purpose you gain a new confidence in your decisions. Your decisions feed your confidence. You come to please yourself rather than trying to please others. That is when you create your best possible life.
Your best possible life emerges in a spiral that nourishes itself.
The Bright New Shiny Thing
When you feel stuck, you want magic to deliver you to your new future.
You want a flash of light. You want to head off towards a bright new shiny thing NOW.
You are Worth Listening To
Sorry.
Finding your best life will come in a whisper. It is worth taking the time to listen.
Start to Play
These aptitude tests are a great start. There are lots of them.
Once you have done two or three of them, common themes will start to emerge. You will start to see what you are naturally good at.
(You may have to download the free Coggle Map app for the links to work.)
I am an expert in guiding people as they find the best way to connect with their purpose.
My Process
Stage 1 User Centric Research
If you have started doing some aptitude tests, you have already started on Stage 1.You have started to gain insights about yourself.
I will take you further into this journey of self discovery.
This is fun. It is all about you. Who you are. What you love. What you do.
Stage 2 Insights Based on the Research
What is guiding your decisions? We analyse the information that you unearth in Stage 1 and clarify your needs and values.
We will refine what drives you and what you want in life.
We have moved from the General Problem to the Specific Problem
What direction will connect you to your purpose?
Stage 3 Ideation
We go broad again. This is where my knowledge of opportunities in Western Australia shines. I know about international economic trends and the future of work. I know about potential pathways.
In Stage 3 I will make lots of suggestions. We will brainstorm lots of ideas for you to consider.
Stage 4 Prototypes
We start to narrow down the options guided by the information we identified about what you love, your needs and values. We will create potential models for you and narrow down the choices to follow until you are clear about which direction to take.
Specific Solutions
When the Specific Solutions have been identified I will provide you with a Personal Development Plan which is your roadmap for going towards your Best Possible Life.
This is where you want to be.
Your Personal Development Plan will give you a clear direction. It will include actions for you to take.
You are now on the road to YOUR BEST POSSIBLE LIFE.
Free Initial Consultation
Bev Johnson
Hi
I am Chief Evangelist for Insanely Great Career Services in Western Australia.
I can help you to save time, money and frustration.
I have an innate ability to see in others what they haven’t seen in themselves and to guide them to a path to their best possible future.
I am truly dismayed when I see amazing, wonderful people living a half life as they leave their potential on the table.
You owe more to the world. Your owe more to yourself.
When you are ready to unearth your potential and set off to create your best possible future contact me at: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au or M: 0434056412
I have transposed Derick David’s The Ultimate Startup Beginner Guide into a careers context. I have never seen careers guidance use the strategies of Uber, Tesla and Airbnb to achieve success. It is worth thinking about.
1. Imagine your future while staying in the moment
Business guru, Tom Peters created the concept Brand You. Now every person has phenomenal power to create their own Brand by going online.
Your current moment is reflected in your Brand. The seeds of your future are embedded in your Brand.
If you are not conscious of a vision for your future, find someone who does have a vision for their future and try working with them as your personal awareness grows.
Do what you like.
You can start to unearth your where you are now and what you like try by following the steps recommended HERE.
2. Find What’s Missing in the World
Look around you. What do you think the world needs?
Is it better educators? Become a teacher.
Is it beautiful gardens? Study horticulture.
Is it better alternative energy? Become an electronics engineer.
3. Play with different ideas
Imagine and write down ideas about your future.
When an idea pops up in your mind, write it down.
Compare your ideas. Check to see which ones you care about.
4. Think the guiding questions
Would this be a valuable way to spend your life? Are you going to be satisfied being a …hairdresser….builder…. accountant? Are you making a difference?
Having the answers to these questions puts you ahead of the game.
5. Create a Prototype
When you have an idea check it out. Do work experience. Volunteer. Check videos of people doing the job. Meet people who do that work.
Don’t jump directly into a career. You can waste time and money going down the wrong path.
6. Show it to 100 people
Talk to everyone about your idea. Explain it in detail. It doesn’t have to be EXACTLY 100 people but the more people you talk to about it the more you will learn about your subject. They may even offer to help you.
Collect Feedback
Be prepared to accept suggestions
Keep talking and discussing and work on keeping an open mind as you do your research.
7. Iterate Fast.
Chunk the ideas into groups:
Those that will help you to have a remarkable future/Those that will not.
Those that make sense/Those that do not.
Those in the bin/Those to follow up
If you get stuck, ask from help, either from a friend or from an expert.
You will probably change your path a million times through your life. Your values will anchor you to your best path.
8. Find Co-founders
When you decide on a career path, find 3-4 people going in the same direction. If you are lucky, you can work as a team to inspire, support and motivate each other.
If you are SUPER lucky you will find a mentor to guide you.
9. Seek Funding
You can work as you study or you can get a scholarship or a grant or government support.
The earlier you explore funding options the better.
Many scholarships don’t go to the brightest student on the block. Some industries, like agriculture, give significant industry support to those who choose to go into it.
Exploring funding opportunities needs to be part of your research.
10. Launch the product (You)
You have been launching your product your whole life. Sometimes Brand You goes into a new phase. Have a great launch.
Get the best possible referees through volunteering or work experience or even by doing assignments that solve a problem for a company. They will help you with your launch.
Go for scholarships and grants as you study. Mention them on your CV.
Go for awards. Even ones that don’t relate to your Brand.
If you get the opportunity to study overseas, take it. There are scholarships that will help you to study overseas.
Find out about cadetships in your industry.
All this will help you to create a great launch into your next phase.
11. Be Patient
Love the process. Love what you are doing as you create your ideal future.
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
12. Check if your “customers” come back
You are your #1 customer. Spoil yourself. Spend time to reflect how happy you are with your product.
Are things turning out as expected? Are you still following what you value?
You will probably adjust your course often. Your Ideal Future may change as you learn more and discover new opportunities.
Keep growing. Your next move will bring you even closer to what you value.
Conclusion
From Bev…
Doing this transposition from business startup to career development has been fun. I have written a million business plans in my life and followed various business development systems but I have never thought of applying any of those systems to careers.
Now that I have done it I don’t know why I didn’t see how we can learn from Uber, Airbnb and Tesla as we design careers.
What we usually lack is a mental framework like this that helps us to stay on track. Most career failures come from the inside. This framework will help you to build your amazing life.
I wish to acknowledge the source of the original document again:
On the 5 June Medium published a great article called The Ultimate Startup Beginner Guide by Derick David (@zealous) which he draws from 5 years researching Tesla, Uber, Airbnb and distilling a 12 step process that can be replicated.
Contact me to engage the insanely great online career counselling services of In Focus Careers:
We would like to subscribe to your insanely great newsletter designed for young West Australians.
Their kids are in year 12. They haven’t decided what to do next year.
Parents don’t want their kids to leave school and fall into a hole. The kids don’t want to talk about it.
Parents can suggest these steps as a path forward
STEP 1: Explore
Check out some aptitude tests to see what tends to come up. Find a range of different tests HERE.
Get a piece of paper or a notebook.
Pick 4 different tests to do.
After each one write down three most important things the test indicated. For example….
I want to work outdoors
I am creative
I am a natural leader
When you have done a few tests you should start to see some common themes. These will help you as you explore your career options.
Some of the tests, like Job Outlook suggest career matches to match your aptitudes.
Step 2: The Shoulders of Giants
Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s around you
I once counselled a student whose mum and dad, brother and uncle were mechanics yet she hadn’t thought of being a mechanic. She ended up doing a Defence Force Gap Year where she started a mechanic apprenticeship.
It is easiest to build from what you know, yet we are often not aware of what we know.
If you are an Eskimo you might think building igloos is for you. If everyone in your family plays an instrument, being a musician could be for you.
What careers you know from your life experience? Check out your family, your family friends, school friends’ parents, sport coaches.
What work do they do?
It is easier when you build from what you know.
Step 3: What is Important?
Discover what you want to do
Whether it’s diamonds, world peace or having fun, your values will remain fairly stable and they will ground you throughout your life.
This game helps you to clarify your values.
1. In a list, write the names of 8 people you like.
They can be family or friends, famous people or fictional people like superman.
Don’t go on until you have your list.
2. Now next to each name write three or four things you like about that person.
3.Group similar values with different colour highlighters. You might group together smart,wise, clever, leader. (CLEVER)
Try to group all of the values into three or four groups. Give each group one name.
Now you have key values that are important to you.
These values guide who you are, how you act and what you do.
They anchor your decisions.
When you are in doubt, make decisions that are consistent with your values.
Summary
Well, that’s not a bad start. From the work you have done you now know:
1. What natural abilities you have.
2. What natural careers environment you live in.
3. What values drive your decisions.
Awareness of your natural abilities, your natural careers environment and your values can drive your decisions.
ONLINE CAREER GUIDANCE
Bev Johnson
If you are a worried parent who would like career advice for your student contact me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au or phone 0434056412.
In Focus Careers Newsletter
If you are associated with a high school in Western Australia it probably subscribes to my In Focus Careers Newsletter. Career information you receive about new courses, career events and scholarships are delivered to the school each month through the newsletter.
Contact me for a complimentary copy of the newsletter:
UWA 
UniPrep & UniPrep (Education Assistant Program
West Australian teachers and youth workers save time and improve their services by subscribing to the In Focus Careers newsletter.
If no one in our family wants it, we will check our friends or our friends’ kids.
The earlier you explore funding options the better.
