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 or friends, or friends of friends. If we can’t find someone through our network and have to advertise, we will try to choose 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.
Occasionally people may consider issues like, how many people go there or what sort of people go there, what scholarships are there or what industry links are on offer.
Notre Dame
91.1% of Notre Dame undergraduate students were satisfied with the overall quality of their learning experience according to the Quality Indicators of Learning and Teaching (QILT).
EVERY UNIVERSITY WISHES THEY GOT THAT!!
Notre Dame is a Catholic University but you don’t need to be Catholic or Christian or even religious to go there, and the fees are comparable with other universities.
The point of difference is that Notre Dame does have a spiritual, values driven, caring approach to teaching and learning which underpins their interactions and decision making. That’s why they are topping the QILT ratings.
It is quite a small university with 10,000 students and the vast majority of them are domestic students.
The university is in beautiful renovated old buildings around Fremantle.
Pastoral care and support developed for international students has been made available to help regional and remote students to settle in. The only shortcoming is the lack of Notre Dame student accommodation but the student support services people will help students to find accommodation to meet their needs.
Curtin University
Curtin is by far our biggest university with over 50,000 students. It seems like a city with business centres, shops, gyms, accommodation and bands and food trucks, art galleries and theatres.
I think undergraduate students could have a ball at Curtin, but the sheer size of of the place can be daunting. You need to actively work at getting engaged with the Curtin community, both social and academic, to make the most of your Curtin experience.
Curtin knows this and has invested in providing plenty of help for new students and for students with special needs, but it is up to you to seek it out.
Because of the size of the university there are many opportunities available for students to extend their experience, in Australia and internationally.
Curtin is part of a knowledge precinct in Bently with CSIRO, Tech Park and the Pawsey supercomputer in the area. Staff and students actively seek to engage with industry to get knowledge and experience and do industry based research. It is number 2 in the world for Metals and Mining Engineering programs. This industry focus underpins the feel at Curtin.
Curtin seems exciting, dynamic and very cosmopolitan with lots of international students and with campuses in Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai as well as the one at Bentley and in Kalgoorlie.
ECU – Edith Cowan University
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching ranks ECU as the top public university in Australia for undergraduates’ student experience. You can feel the quality of the experience when you contact ECU for information. They get back to you. They try to help.
ECU started as a college for teacher training and gradually expanded its courses with WAAPA being one of the first ventures into new areas. Now WAAPA has a reputation as one of the BEST performing arts learning academies in the world.
ECU’s more recent expansion has been into engineering with significant investment into new facilities, international learning opportunities and strong demand for graduates.
ECU is pretty big but students are on the Mt Lawley and Joondalup campuses so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
The buildings are great examples of design with some of the coolest architecture in Western Australia.
ECU is manageable and there is a strong student centric management focus which means students get help to succeed. There are many alternate pathways into ECU including the UniPrep program and experienced based entry.
People who didn’t think they could get into uni and succeed can are supported to thrive at ECU.
Murdoch University
Murdoch has recognised that the world is changing and that there is a disconnect between education and where jobs are emerging. It has introduced “adaptive expertise” as a learning spine being introduced across the university.
They are focusing on adapting traditional courses with the application of technologies. So History + STEM could result in machine learning that unearths previously unknown information about cultures. Journalism + STEM, as seen in the use of drones, is revealing what is happening in emergency or war environments.
Murdoch has a strong focus on getting girls into engineering. They have engaged with schools and support in industry to lift the number of girls entering this field which delivers 25% of the world’s CEOs.
Murdoch has the biggest percentage of international students in WA.
They are teaching students to think globally, to seek ways to apply technology to their work and to work collaboratively.
UWA – University of Western Australia
This is our oldest university. Many industry, political and community leaders in Western Australia went to UWA which gives strong links between UWA and leadership across the State.
The UWA campus is beautiful with Winthrop Hall being the most recognised symbol of “a university” in WA. The gardens, theatres and art gallery and its role as the initiator of the Festival of Perth make UWA a hub of culture.
UWA has positioned itself as the university for high academic performers and many high achieving school leavers identify UWA as their first preference.
It is aware of its low QILT satisfaction results and is supporting strategies like the Fogarty Foundation Edfutures initiative and consulting with experts in an effort to become more student centric in its approach.
CQU – Central Queensland University
This is a new comer to Western Australia and it is working hard to attract students from their traditional university pathways with courses in sonography and echocardiography which are new to WA.
The main campus is located near the bottom of William Street near Elizabeth Quay and they have set up study hubs in Busselton, Broome, Geraldton and Karratha. These are often on TAFE campuses.
Many of the students are mature aged, external students who make use of online learning, occasional face to face contact and phone calls to fit their learning around their work and other demands.
Although there are 20,000 students at CQU, they are spread across Australia and numbers in WA are still quite small.
Comparison
The comparison of student experience outcomes puts Notre Dame as a clear leader with
ECU also doing well.
Each university has different features that will impact on your choices.
Still not sure what to do?
If you are uncertain about which university or which pathway to follow contact me for a free 15 minute consultation.
Bev Johnson
Director of In Focus Careers Careers Resources Hub for West Australians.
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?
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:
Companies are preparing their 2021 apprenticeship vacancy ads. The competition will be fierce. These tips will help you to be competitive.
Do you shake hands now?
I now wonder what to do when I meet someone. Do I nod, shake hands, smile and make eye contact?
Leave it up to the interviewer.
It will be hard to get to the interview stage. If you DO get there, don’t blow it by refusing to shake hands (carry hand sanitizer and use it straight after the interview) OR by having a pathetic handshake!
You’ve gotta hate wimpy handshake but a bone crusher is weird. Have a firm handshake and look at the person as you shake hands.
Give the employer the right gut feeling
Check this video. It gives tips on how to give your potential employers a good gut feeling.
If you have a good written application the employer will start off with the feeling that you are going to be good.
School leavers can get tips on how to write a good resume and cover letter HERE at Youth Central.
Apart from having a decent handshake say “Hi. Good to meet you” and smile.
Dress like the employer
Neat casual will probably suit most apprenticeships. Don’t wear a suit. Your employer won’t be wearing a suit.
More Tips
Finding an apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a job. You can find apprenticeships through family and friends, on sites like Seek.com.au or through a career advisor, a Jobs and Skills Centre or via a pre-apprenticeship.
Getting a job as a trades assistant can help you to get a foot in the door.
Making a good impression
Employers like applicants who have done volunteer or part time work as it showed their enthusiasm and meant they would have some work ready skills.
Work experience in the field looks good on a resume.
Good school results, particularly in metals, maths and engineering are indicators that you might be a good apprentice in a building trade. Taking a folio of photos of projects you have worked on is a good idea.
Get your driver’s license
A driver’s license is important for most apprenticeships. Start working towards your driver’s license as soon as you turn 16.
At the end of the interview say you really want this apprenticeship.
(Know what to say if they ask why!)
Women in Trades
Only 1-3% of tradespeople are women. Opportunities to earn the big money during mining and building booms are largely given to men while women are directed into low paid caring jobs in the aged, child and disability sectors.
Women and girls interested in trades may find the Programmed National Energy Technician Training Scheme worth applying through. In 2019 they had 38% females in their trades program.
If you go to a school in Western Australia it probably subscribes to the In Focus Careers Newsletter. You can check, and get a complimentary copy here.
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(South Metropolitan Government High School.)
My Commitment to West Australian Careers Education
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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.
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Listen to and support West Australian careers teachers
If you were hanging out for a flash of inspiration at a uni open day, careers expo or information session… WHAT DO YOU DO NOW??
Year 12s have never had it tougher when it comes to deciding what to do next.
While this is the first time year 12s will leave school, there are experts around who WANT to help you.
This simple summary of the support and main choices available to West Australian school leavers will help you to clarify your decision.
Uni or TAFE Spot the Difference
Many year 12 students don’t really understand the difference between uni and TAFE.
Guess which fashion course is at Curtin University and which is at South Metropolitan TAFE.
In this (course) you will focus on the relationship between garment and body, using a theoretical and contextual framework for understanding national and international trends and the cultural significance and practice of fashion design.
In our course you’ll learn how to produce a unique range of garments and accessories for the marketplace. You’ll gain fashion illustration and drawing skills and learn about digital design, pattern making and garment construction.
If you thought the first one was Curtin you are right. University has a more theoretical approach to learning while TAFE has a more practical focus. Pick the learning style that suits you best for next year.
Career Advice – Take action while all is quiet
The offices of university career advisors have gone quiet. The staff at Jobs and Skills Centres thought they would be run off their feet… but all is quiet there too.
If you are not clear about what to do in 2021 there has never been a better time to tap into the undivided attention of normally busy staff.
Jobs and Skills Centres aren’t just about TAFE. You can do aptitude tests to see what direction would suit you, you can get help with different uni and VET courses, they have a jobs board and you can get help with job application and interview skills. And the help is free.
Each Western Australian university free career counselling. You are under no obligation to enrol at the place where you get your counselling although your counsellor will know more about the university they are working for.
See your school career counsellor. There is no one better placed. They know you. They can talk to your teachers and your parents. They get the full picture and will be able to point you in a good direction.
You can always come to me for an online (and on phone) consultation. (Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au) I have just started to do this with students online during the lockdown and it is great fun.
Youth Allowance and Scholarships
Your decision to study may depend on finances. If you are 18 – 24 and you have supported yourself for 18 months you MAY qualify for Youth Allowance.
Check the Youth Allowance site to see if there are any benefits that you are eligible for. There is an Ask for Help button which could save you hours trying to get through on the phone. If you need to leave home to study don’t forget to ask about travel allowance.
Also check for financial assistance on the Good Universities Guide site HERE.
There are scholarships for so many purposes, not just academic excellence and they are often only available when you start university or TAFE. Search online for scholarships in your field. The Good Universities Guide tries to capture most scholarships on its site.
Ask your career advisor for help searching for scholarships.
Uni Pathway
Very few people have a clear idea of what they want to do at university. If you want to go to uni but are not exactly sure what course or subjects to take, apply the same thinking you used in Year 10 when choosing WACE subjects to keep your opportunities open.
Talk to your school career counsellor about what course to apply for and subjects to take.
Go to see a career planner at one or two universities to clarify what course and subjects you wish to take.
Decide on your top choices.
Apply to your chosen university either via TISC or via Notre Dame or your chosen university.
Unsure about Uni for Next Year
If you MIGHT want to go to uni in APPLY through TISC. If you get offered a place you can accept and DEFER for a year.
Apply for a course at your chosen university via the normal TISC or direct application process
When you get an offer contact your university to hold your offer and defer it for a year.
Alternative Pathway to Uni
If you want to go to uni but don’t get the required ATAR score there are many alternative pathways you can take.
Some universities will consider your current scores if you have a year between leaving school and starting university. They consider that the break can result in you gaining maturity that will help you to succeed at university.
Contact me and I will send the latest WA information on alternative pathways at all WA universities including TAFE colleges.
See a career planner at the university or training college of your choice.
Decide on your best option.
Apply for the alternative pathway of your choice.
TAFE Course
If you are clear about what TAFE course you want to take contact your chosen college to enrol in September.
Talk to your school career counsellor about what course to apply for and subjects to take.
Check out North Metro TAFE courses HERE and South Metro TAFE courses HERE
Go to see a career counsellor at TAFE to clarify what course and subjects you wish to take. Ask the counsellor to advise you about courses that are subsidised by government because of skills shortages. These courses are on the State Priority Occupation List (SPOL) and are cheaper than many other courses.
Decide which course to enrol in.
Apply for a place in your chosen course. Check the college website for online applications.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Getting an apprenticeship or traineeship is like getting a job.
Get help from your school career advisor to prepare your CV ready for job applications.
Get references from school before you leave and get copies of them. Get the correct title and contact details of those at school who give you a reference.
Ask your family and friends if they know of any apprentice opportunities.
Search for apprenticeship opportunities on sites like Indeed, Jora and Seek.
Ask your local TAFE if they have any pre apprenticeship programs. They can be tricky to get into as demand is always high. Employers often contact their local TAFE to find a good employee to take on as an apprentice.
Gap Year
The Victorian Government provides free unbiased advice about taking a Gap Year HERE.
Job Hunting
The Jobs and Skills Centres will help you to improve your resume and will even help you to improve your interview skills. You can find jobs there on their Jobs Board.
When you subscribe you join a network of careers experts from across Western Australia who share information that helps teachers, students and families.
Even if you get an unconditional offer for a place at a university based on your current results, there may be course prerequisites, or a better ATAR score may get you the perfect course you want, or a scholarship.
I recommend that you continue to prepare for all exams AS IF you will be doing them.
These tips will help.
GET READY
Arrive early. Avoid anxious friends. Go to the loo.
Take drinking water with you.
Know how many questions or sections you have to answer and what they are worth BEFORE you arrive.
Allocate your time according to the marks for each section or question.
Know exactly what time you should finish each section and question.
GO IN
Get seated early.
Breath steadily, get centred, sip water.
Listen to the supervisor’s instructions. Ask for clarification at any time.
Write your name and student number on the exam paper.
READING TIME
Read through all the exam paper carefully.
If there are choices, decide which questions to answer.
Make sure you are answering all questions required from each section.
Schedule what time you should answer each question
Plan to answer the easiest question first.
Leave the hardest question to last.
Know what time you should finish each question and stick to that time.
DANGER
PLEASE make sure you understand what each question is asking.
Maybe they are lonely. Maybe they are worried. Maybe they hope I will ground them as this Covid-19 storm swirls around us.
Whatever is going on, I am having great success with online counselling. Year 12s are loving talking over their possible futures online.
The Loveliness of Floating Ideas
When I go into a school to do career counselling I get too many kids in a day. They are scheduled too close together. I don’t have time to mull things over. It is rushed and exhausting.
Now that we are doing it from home we have plenty of time to chat and float ideas.
There is no formula to this. We are both headed in the same direction but the path isn’t automated.
We chat. I muddle through my notes. I phone-a-friend. I research information. I hook students up with experts across the In Focus Network.
There is TIME to find the right path forward.
Chilling Out
Students have time to chat to their friends. They talk to their parents. They go for a walk and think. They go back to their teachers to talk.
Then come back and we chat again as we work our way through the career maze together.
Because there is time, the students can explore and unearth their best possible future.
Tap into my new Superpower
If your student is feeling stressed about their future, I would love the opportunity to work with them using my new found power!!
These ATAR revision providers have adopted online teaching strategies. They will still be providing support to students wishing to do ATAR revision, OLNA and NAPLAN revision programs.
To get the most up to date information go to the links provided below.
Revise Online
ReviseOnline specialises in providing online education. It provides teaching resources and support as well as practice tests and exams.
Mastermind
Master Mind Australia intensive revision of the syllabus and assessment preparation, including the effective modelling of answers to ATAR-style exam questions.
Academic Task Force
Academic Task Force specialist teachers work with students showing them how to apply what they have learnt at school, how to prepare for their exams and how to maximize their exam performance.
ATARGET
ATARget ATAR Revision, ATAR Exam Preparation and Study Skills programs focus on strengthening students’ understanding of subjects, boosting classroom confidence and improving examination performance.
WACE+
WACE+ ATAR Revision, ATAR Exam Preparation and Study Skills programs focus on strengthening students’ understanding of subjects, boosting classroom confidence and improving examination performance.
TEE Consultants
TEE Consultants deliver intensive courses for year 12 students seeking university.
Accredited Tutor delivers small group classes in most WACE classes, exam preparation and study skills.
INDIVIDUAL TUTORS
Many semi-retired teachers continue to tutor in their specialty subject.
These teachers have a lifetime of knowledge of their subject, what examiners are looking for and tips for success.
Ask at your school front office to see if they know anyone you can contact.
ECU ATAR Free Program
ECU ATAR revision programs are run during the September holidays at the Joondalup and Bunbury campuses. No decision has been made about cancellation at this stage.
West Australian students need current careers information so that they can make informed choices as they leave school.
Subscribe to the latest news here:
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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.
Universities need students. The ATAR gives them a convenient way of selecting 26% of their students. The other 74% of university students enrol through different pathways.
If you don’t get your ATAR in 2020 you can still get into university
Universities WANT you to enrol with them so keep checking their websites for updated information.
Higher Education – University preparation courses
They are generally free
You find out about a range of different courses that may interest you
They are generally a semester long
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
Consider this….
If you don’t want to live on Poverty Street you must do some study when you leave school.
If you are thinking about TAFE, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre .If you are thinking about uni check out university careers services or email me to explore your options.
University Alternative Entry
Notre Dame
The Tertiary Pathway Program at Notre Dame is for people who did NOT do ATAR, or who didn’t get the required cut off score.
It is a 13-week program which you apply for directly to Notre Dame.
Applicants need to be able to demonstrate good English language skills to be offered a place.
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
The Curtin UniReady program is now the most open offering in WA. Year 12s apply through TISC and they don’t need ATAR, or English or WACE to apply.
Curtin College offers courses that can result in entry to second year of Curtin’s Bachelor Degree program.
Portfolio Entry is not only for the creative courses; it is applicable to courses like Education, Science, Commerce and Health.
Murdoch University
On Track is a 14 week course that prepares students for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
On Track Sprint is a 4 week course run over the Christmas holidays that may prepare you for entry to a course with a minimum ATAR requirement of 70.
TLC10 – prepares students to apply for Murdoch through a 1 day per week course that runs all year in Mandurah and Rockingham.
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. For Portfolio entry try the Domestic Admissions Team on 9360 7458 or send an email by following this link
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.
Thanks Philip Sharpe, Future Students Centre, University of Western Australia
This program is tailored to help you meet entry requirements or boost your confidence.
It usually takes between 1 and 2 terms to complete (4 to 8 months). It can be completed online or on-campus.
CQU Principal’s Recommendation Scheme
The Principal’s Recommendation Scheme provides an alternate entry pathway to CQUniversity courses* that is based on the recommendation of High school Principals and not reliant on whether a student has received an ATAR.
At CQUniversity we believe senior schooling results are important, but we also believe that other factors such as motivation, talent, and passion can lead to student success at university. The scheme is designed to assist capable students to access entry to CQUniversity, it in no way provides relaxation of the quality and academic standards that students must meet to successfully complete their degree.
To apply for a CQUniversity course via the Principal’s Recommendation Scheme, a student must:
Be studying Year 12 in an Australian school in 2020.
Have their Principal’s recommendation in writing.
For more information on how to apply and what must be included in the recommendation please visit the Principal’s Recommendations Scheme webpage.
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