In Focus Careers

Be a Pro in the Classroom

Tag Archives: Career Advice


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Finding your “Why” Tim Minchin style

If you are a careers teacher, or a student, or  even if you know someone who is trying to find their “Why” watch Tim Minchin explain that it takes ages and ages and ages to figure out what you love.

There is no magic trick. There is no single flash of light that gives you your purpose.

Your path will take a million baby steps. It will take trying to do what others think you should do, and trying and failing and gradually becoming better at something, and that becomes who you are and what you do.

You can check out Tim’s funny and brilliant short speech HERE.

Screenshot 2019-05-04 10.48.15So, what next?

If you have no idea what to do next you can try the Simon Senek Find Your Why course. Get a copy of the Hear Your Dream Coggle map of sites for other suggestions. Check out the classic Tom Peters Brand You. Talk to an insanely great careers teacher or mentor.

Hear your dream 2

They all help. But they will not provide you with one single moment of clarity.  There is no quick fix.

Finding the authentic you and becoming really good at what you love requires exploring, and trying and consciously and deliberately striving.

In Focus Careers Newsletter

You can find a monthly feast of insanely great careers ideas and support through my In Focus Careers newsletter.

Send for a complimentary copy:

Testimonial:

I loved this month’s newsletter! There were so many useful links that I’m going to use, like the Logistics Training Council publications and the Future skills Framework infographic on our demographic. So much handy information – I even signed up for the Public Sector Commissions job search so that I can pass opportunities for traineeships onto students. (Northern regional Catholic Education School)

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

I want In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for 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.
  • Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers.

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

 

 

 


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3 Steps to Survival in the Future Workforce

You may be feeling that your future is spinning out of control. Breathless reports of the latest discovery that is going to take your job add to the confusion.

The skills you need to survive in the future won’t be too different to ones you needed in the past. 

1. Be Aware

Keep up with changes so that they aren’t overwhelming:

World Economic Forum Newsletter

The World Economic Forum is the leader in thinking about how to cope with the future. They don’t have all the answers but they are the smartest. They meet in Davos each year to talk about issues and they are a conduit to reports and advice.

You can subscribe to their emails here.

Naked Scientist Podcast

I liked the information about emerging jobs in this Naked Scientist podcast on Life in the Year 2100. Go to the 24 minute mark to get to the best bits. Naked scientist

The Third Industrial Revolution Video

For something radical and inspiring go to Jeremy Rivkin’s iconic Third Industrial Revolution.  He paints a bleak picture for a lot of the video but comes up with optimistic positive strategies later.

The New Work Smarts

Any of the reports from the Foundation for Young Australians provide great guidance about where we are heading and what to do. Perhaps the New Work Smarts provides the clearest direction on how to create your work safety net.

2. Build a Strong Network

Your family and friends will be your support framework throughout your life. They will  celebrate your wins and help you when you are down.Bear joke.jpg

A strong network doesn’t just happen. You may be lucky and have a great family. Your school may be a honey pot of fantastic friends. Or you may have to design your own network. Choose carefully.

Don’t waste time on losers. Think about the sorts of friends you want. Don’t suck up to them. Check out who is around.

This Coggle map I named Stand on the Shoulders of Giants. It may give you some ideas on how to consciously and deliberately build a strong network.  Stand on the Shoulders of Giants

3. Be Good at Something

Alan Finkle is Australia’s Chief Scientist. He recommends that you develop “T shaped” skills.

First, be aware that employers look for “T-Shaped” individuals, where the vertical pole of the T represents deep discipline-specific knowledge and the horizontal bar of the T represents 21st Century skills. Restrict your focus to one or the other and you will be limiting your employment options.

Don’t expect to leave school, uni or TAFE and be the expert. Speak to any employers and they will give you examples where the person with the better interpersonal skills got the job over the academic expert. It has never been more important to keep on learning in order to remain the expert.

Skills WEF

So, what next?

I keep researching and networking to keep up to speed with what is happening. It can be overwhelming but careers teachers are keeping their eye on the ball and they are the best ones to go to for information and advice.

Most West Australian high schools subscribe to my newsletter. You can get a complimentary copy to check out.

In Focus Careers Newsletter

Get career information from a network of insanely great West Australian career professionals:

Testimonial:

I loved this month’s newsletter! There were so many useful links that I’m going to use like the Logistics Training Council publications and the Future skills Framework infographic on our demographic (Durack). So much handy information – I even signed up for the Public Sector commissions job search so that I can pass onto students (past/present) when opportunities come up for traineeships. (Northern regional Catholic Education School)

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for 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 across the In Focus Careers network.
  • Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

 

 


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4 Things Your Careers Teacher Gets Right

1. They Care More 

No other teacher cares as much about what you are going to do when you leave school.

Well, that isn’t strictly true. Teaching isn’t just a job. Mainstream teachers care about what their students plan to do…  but their main responsibility is to get students to learn maths, or physics or geography.

The role of a careers teacher is much more important than that!!!

It is the role of the careers teacher to guide students as they unearth their best possible pathway to follow as they leave school. That is their passion. That is what they care about more than any other teacher.

They have a toolbox of aptitude tests and quizzes and exercises and exploration tasks that will help to guide you to your best possible future.

Hear your dream 2Check this Coggle Map to start your own exploring.

2. They know about university degrees

Not only has your career teacher got first hand experience of being a university student, they have kept up their knowledge.

Every year all of the West Australian universities run professional development programs for careers teachers.

These are wonderful relaxing days where careers teachers are pampered, indulged and spoilt as they are given all of the information they could need to recommend THAT PARTICULAR university to hundreds of prospective students.

Cat

These days out are organised by university careers staff who form a close relationship with school based careers teachers. If ever your teacher doesn’t know something about a course, they just ring their friendly uni based career advisor and get the answer for you.

3. They know about apprenticeships and traineeships

This pathway has sometimes been a bit tricky for careers teachers. While many teachers have vocational qualifications they often do these courses part time so don’t have experience as a full time TAFE student.

Once the mining boom came along employers needed trade and technical skills quickly so TAFE courses came into high demand from school leavers. As the digital economy has pushed up the demand for rapid skills acquisition, long theoretical degree programs have been challenged by short, just in time vocational courses.

Careers teachers struggle to keep up with the massive changes that are taking place across all industries so they hook up students who want an apprenticeship or traineeship with experts in the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network .

Apprenticeships and traineeships

This Coggle map gives an overview of how to get an apprenticeship or traineeship. Get more information at This is How You Get an Apprenticeship in WA.

For students wondering about technical or health para professional careers they now hook them up with careers staff or expert lecturers via the Jobs and Skills Centres which started up last year.

Your careers teachers are the kings and queens of networking. They will know who will know the answer to your question.

4. They know about job application and interview skills

There was a woman at the Skills Expo last year telling everyone they were doing their job applications all wrong. They should buy her special  job application course if they ever wanted to get a job.

That just isn’t true.

Careers teachers know what employers are looking for and give you at least ONE good way of writing a job application and cover letter.

They set up mock interview and do their best to make you anxious so that you know what it is like to go for a real job interview.

This is a career teachers fundamental toolkit. They know this stuff and they teach it.

Despite all of that hard work preparing students to go for jobs, employers complain about bad spelling, poor sentences, lack of care, not answering the questions…… yadda yadda.

Career teachers are able to give you all the knowledge and skills you need to write a good job application and do a fair interview. Learn from your school based careers teacher. You don’t have to pay a fortune.

If you would like to do a job application and interview course check out your local Jobs and Skills Centre. They run free courses and will give you one on one support. You don’t have to be thinking of a TAFE course to go to these Centres.

Go to your careers teacher for free advice as soon as possible

Give your careers teacher every chance to help you to unearth what is possible. Go to see them early and follow their advice.

If you have a strong bond with  a year or VET coordinator, or student services teacher you can go to them. Having great rapport with a wise teacher you trust is important. They can consult the professional careers teacher for information and support as you work towards your goal.

Poor career choices can cost you time and money, but more than that. Poor career choices can leave you feeling lost and depressed.

Take your career exploration and discovery seriously while you are in the familiar, supportive school environment with teachers who care about you.

Discovering your dream career could be your reward.

In Focus Careers Newsletter

Get career information from a network of insanely great West Australian career professionals:

Testimonial:

Thanks for the latest e-mail Bev, and for all the information and inspiring ideas over the year. Since I have become a part of  the(In Focus Careers) network I have grown in knowledge and motivation to really make a difference for our young people. 

(South West Regional Government High School.)

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for 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 across the In Focus Careers network.
  • Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au


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Every student deserves a great careers teacher

The future success of students as they leap into the turbulent world beyond school can depend entirely on the care, wisdom and knowledge of their careers teacher.

When you leave school there is no bridge to your next chapter. There is no magical path into your ideal future.Math teacher smiling

When you leave school your English (maths, history) teacher has finished their job.  They helped you to get the best education in their field. That’s it. Their work is done.

There is no one on the other side of the school gate to make sure you succeed.

Career Advisors Have Done it All Before

teacher female close upIf you had a good careers teacher you will know what waits for you on the other side of the school gate and you will have a plan.

It is the career advisors job to know what is possible. They have guided hundreds of students to discover what is possible and plan how to get there. They love helping students to unearth their dreams.

Go to see your school career advisor. Tap into their wisdom and knowledge.

Their secret power is that they care about your future.

If you don’t have a career advisor to help you, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre and ask for help. It’s free.

Don’t leave school without a plan

coggle-map-3You may be okay while you are still in a supportive, familiar school environment, but leaving school is risky. Australia is experiencing an epidemic of mental health issues in our young adult population. 

Tap into all of the free support and advice that your school has to offer so that you have a plan with you when you leave school.

Tap into support from your career advisor, pastoral care officer, year coordinator… whoever you get along with. Ask them for help to develop a plan. Keep going until you are happy with your plan.

Getting on the Uni Bus

Many school leavers go to uni because they don’t know what else to do.

Uni career advisors come to school. They tell you how wonderful their uni is. They hold out their hand and say,  “Come with me”.

The TISC application arrives.

Fullscreen capture 28082017 70902 PM.bmp

So you all get on the uni bus.

You can check how much that ride will cost you HERE.

Do your research and work with an expert career advisor before you lock yourself in.

Some go to TAFE

needle-in-a-haystack-1752846_1920There are so many VET courses and variations on courses that finding the ideal one for you is like finding a needle in a haystack.

The new Jobs and Skills Centres aren’t just for VET courses. They deliver a guiding light to students who don’t know what to do when they leave school.

Having a Gap Year

The fear of the unknown often stops students choosing a gap year. Those who do make this choice often choose an organised program that supports them into their future.

Find information on taking a gap year HERE.

Ask your career advisor what gap year program will suit your personality and future plans.

Getting a Job

Statistics 1The only problem with getting a job without planning to do any further study is that you are locking yourself into the lowest paid sector or the workforce.

Get a job, sure but do a Certificate III part time after school to set yourself up for a bigger income and more career choices.

Ask your career advisor what part time courses you can take to improve your future career.

In Focus Careers Newsletter

Discover your world of possibilities with a monthly dose of insanely great career news and information:

 

Testimonial

I have found your material invaluable.  The information you have put together is thorough – a one-stop-shop in a sea of information that is out there.  I have utilised this information on a regular basis with others throughout the school.

(South Metropolitan Government High School.)

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for West Australian careers teachers and 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 across the In Focus Careers network.
  • Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
bust-small-72dpi

Bev Johnson

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

 

 


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Tips on How to Get the Most out of the Careers Expo

Don’t sign ANYTHING.

The Careers Expo is great fun. There are happy, smiling people. There are glossy brochures and beautiful displays. People on the stands are friendly and helpful.

Of course they are! They are professionals. You aren’t going to buy something from someone who isn’t nice.

The Expos are a prime marketing place for all education and training organisation. They spend a lot of money on their displays and get their best, nicest, most professional sales people to tell you about their courses.Expo 1 2019

Many visitors sign up for thousands of dollars worth of training based on a noisy 5 minute discussion in the crowded Convention Centre.

STEP 1:

Don’t sign ANYTHING.

STEP 2:

Know that the biggest displays, those closest to the entry doors, and the most professional looking displays have spent the most money on trying to sell to you.

STEP 3:

Do your research.

Check out the list of Exhibitors. 

If you are interested in having a Gap Year check out which exhibitors will have information that will interest you. If you are interested in Trades, check out the ones that you must visit.

Expo 2019

Make the decision about which ones to visit before you get sucked in by the bright lights and music!

STEP 4:

Figure out three questions to ask exhibitor one before you meet with them. Make sure one of your questions is about price if they are selling courses.

Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to answer you about. You may get answers like “It depends on…… ” and “We have a great loan to cover your costs”.

Some exhibitors like Defence Force Recruiting and the Construction Training Fund aren’t actually selling courses.

You could also ask….

  • How long the course will take.
  • What are the entry requirements.
  • For contacts with current students.
  • What successful students are like.
  • Do they have a mid year intake.
  • If they have links with industry that provides work placement.
  • How long it takes their graduates to get a job in the industry.
  • What sort of work graduates get.

STEP 5 – FINAL STEP

Go to see your career advisor to discuss what you have discovered.

If you don’t know a career advisor go to a Jobs and Skills Centre and talk with them. Its FREE. The Jobs and Skills Centres are based in TAFE colleges but they also have information about unis.

Come to see me. I work for myself so will charge for my insanely great careers advice!

If you would like to unearth a world of possibilities send for a complementary copy of my insanely great careers newsletter:

Testimonial:

Thanks for the latest e-mail Bev, and for all the information and inspiring ideas over the year. Since I have become a part of  the (In Focus Careers) network I have grown in knowledge and motivation to really make a difference for our young people. 

(South West Regional Government High School.)

My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education

For In Focus Careers to be the conduit to Insanely Great Careers Information for 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 across the In Focus Careers network.
  • Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
bust-small-72dpi

Bev Johnson

M: 0434 056 412

Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au

 

 

 

 

 


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Get a support team – Don’t leave year 12 without it

Don’t dance in the dark alone

If you want to collect butterflies or fly to the moon, there are people who are already doing it…… and sharing their ideas online. They would love to hear from you.

Look online for magazines, Facebook pages, LinkedIn…. any groups that you might be interested in AND MAKE CONTACT. 

For career advice you can go to these sites 

Useful SitesEmail me if you would like me to email you a copy so that you can get the links live.

Jobs and Skills Centres are Your New Best Friend

The new Jobs and Skills Centres based in West Australian TAFE Colleges are there to guide you into TAFE, employment or university. A new one has just opened in Kalgoorlie.

If you just want to talk call Lifeline

Leaving school is one of the most stressful times of your life. EVERYONE struggles with such a massive change. If you just want to talk with someone call Lifeline.

Lifeline

Call the Expert

If you would like professional career counselling from me email Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au. You can check out testimonials on my home page.

 


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Leaving Year 12 with advice from Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin

……(your career is like) hacking through virgin rain forest – a completely blind journey where you never know where you’re going to end up. It’s only by looking back at the forest that it seemed to be some sort of logical progression. (Eddie Perfect)

Eddie Perfect

Image by Julian Kingma.

….how does one even define ‘success’?

 This answer will (and should be) different for every person. So it’s good to take a minute and think about how you personally define success, and what kind of person you’d like to be if and when it happens.

 Otherwise, how will you know when you arrive?

Read his advice on career success at the Aussie Theatre website.

Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect seem like the same sort of guy. Tim gave a “9 Rules to Live By” address at  UWA which has become famous.

Tim Minchin

I never remember advice that people give me but these two say things in an entertaining way.

If you need help to find the best path towards your career journey, contact me at Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au  or ring me on 0434056412. I will do my best to be wise and entertaining!!