WSSC Careers Report

FOCUS ON WHERE YOU CAN STUDY AFTER SCHOOL

After school you can study at University, TAFE, an Adult Community Education Centre or a Private Provider, or at a combination of institutions (i.e., TAFE and Uni at the same time through an integrated program). You can also often choose between studying on campus, via distance or through a mixture of both. This is called flexible learning.

What type of institute you choose to study at will depend on your career aspirations.

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and Adult Community Education (ACE): Compared to Uni, TAFE and ACE study is generally more hands on, classes are smaller, courses are cheaper and they prepare students for vocational careers across a wide range of industries. TAFE and ACE help prepare students for University by offering pathways into degrees and also in many cases credit, which can enable you to start at second year level at Uni for many courses. For more information about Victorian TAFE courses call 13 1823 or see www.tafe.vic.gov.au. 

University provides students with professional qualifications. There are some careers you cannot work in without a Uni level qualification like a Doctor, Veterinarian Surgeon, Dentist or Physiotherapist. Compared to TAFE, there is usually more of an academic focus on theory, concepts and research. Many students study at TAFE either before or after undertaking Uni courses to give them practical and industry specific vocational skills.

Private Colleges usually specialise in certain areas and their qualifications are the same as you would receive from TAFE and University. Course fees are often higher and you can’t use HECS to defer your payment meaning you usually have to pay your fees upfront or as you study (many offer FEE-HELP). Private providers are often more flexible with start and finish times of courses, have small class sizes and often you don’t need an ATAR score for Diploma and Degree level qualifications. There are three private Universities and over 700 private providers.

Overseas: Yes! That’s right- you can head overseas to undertake your desired course. You can either apply for an overseas course straight away or you can start studying in Australia and complete some of your course overseas with the help of your Australian institution. Go to www.studyabroad.com and www.studyoverseas.com for more information.

Distance Education:  Many Institutions offer courses via ‘distance education’.  This means that for the majority or the whole of the course, you don’t need to attend classes on campus.  Course materials are often posted to you and you receive support via the institutes website where you can be linked with your lecturers and other students studying your course. Open Learning Australia provides distance education courses from over 15 Universities.  You don’t need an ATAR for these courses.

WHICH QUALIFICATION LEVEL WILL I NEED?

The qualification level you will need to achieve will depend on your career aspirations. The table below shows you what qualification levels there are at TAFE, ACE providers, Universities and Private Providers.

To find out which level you should study at to achieve your career goals, go to www.aqf.edu.au/aqfqual.htm and click on the links

VOCATIONAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS

Applying for Medicine/ Surgery in 2011? Monash University have changed their interview process for the selection into their Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery program at their Clayton Campus. The traditional interview will now be replaced with a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), which will, most likely, consist of 8 sequential ‘stations’ plus 1 rest station. In each station the applicant will be interviewed by 1 interviewer for 8 minutes followed by 2 minutes for scoring/changeover (i.e. 10 minutes per station). Therefore, each ‘circuit’ of 9 stations will take 90 minutes to complete with each applicant will be assessed by 9 interviewers. For more information, contact medicineadmissions@med.monash.edu.au.

UPCOMING COLLEGE EVENTS

Charles Sturt University Allied Health Information  Students in Years 10 -12 are welcome to attend this information session here at the college at 11.00am on the 12th. May. This session will enable students to gain a better understanding of the range of career opportunities in health

VCE Revision Program at La Trobe Wodonga. These series of lectures are made available to assist Year 12 students with their mid-year exams. The program starts on Sunday 30th. May covering Accounting, Chemistry, Psychology and Biology. Students should see Sue Bell or Rod Pritchard for financial assistance if required.

UPCOMING STATE EVENTS

Interested in health careers? The Health@Melbourne Expo on Friday 7 May offers students the opportunity to find out more about professional careers in health.  Find out all you need to know about the University of Melbourne's new generation degrees: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPhysio).  The Expo features 30 exhibitor booths and students and industry professionals will be on hand to give insights into degrees, go to www.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au

JMC Academy Open Day: Are you interested in studying Film and Television, Digital Media or Music? You should consider attending the JMC Academy Open Day on 8 May at their Melbourne Campus, 171 Bank St, South Melbourne. You can attend a session at either 11am or 2pm. You must register at www.jmcacademy.edu.au or you can phone 03 6969 4117

Pivot Point 2 Day Introductory Course in Hair Design: Pivot Point are running two  day programs on 8 and 9 July and 14 and 15 July at their Melbourne Campus. You will learn about careers in hairdressing, hands on styling, drying and long hair techniques, introduction to cutting, introduction to colour and client relations and people skills. Cost is $99. For more information go to www.pivot-point.com.au or call 03 9670 1200

MAY EVENTS

• 7: Health@Melbourne Expo, Uni of Melbourne, www.mdhs.unimelb.edu.au
• 12 – 13: Apprenticeship Expo, Uni of Ballarat, SMB Campus, www.LearnToSucceed.com.au
• 13: Parents Information Evening, Apprenticeships Expo, Uni of Ballarat, SMB Campus, www.LearnToSucceed.com.au
• 20: Extreme Science Experience, RMIT, www.rmit.edu.au/she/events
• 21 – 22: The National Careers and Employment Expo, Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, www.eocexpo.com.au
• 23: Careers in Sports Medicine and Science Seminar, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, Albert Park, Vic, 03 9674 8707, www.vic.sma.org.au