Follow what you love
If you can identify your likes and dislike, your passions and your
strengths, you’re well on your way to choosing the right
career for you.
A good starting point is to ask yourself some questions:
- What are your favourite subjects at school?
- What is it about them that you enjoy?
- What are your favourite hobbies and pastimes?
- Is it important for you to work with people or do you prefer
animals?
- Do you like practical or outdoor work, or can you imagine
yourself working in front of a computer all day?
- Do you hope to earn a high salary? Or is job satisfaction
more important?
- Are you prepared to spend six years at university to achieve
your career goal? Or would a shorter, more hands-on vocational
course better suit your personality?
Your school careers advisor can help your explore these questions.
You can also find career ideas online. Check out: www.myfuture.edu.au to
see what career it suggests for you, or www.abc.net.au/acedayjobs to
learn first hand about people who love their jobs.
Hot Jobs in NSW
Almost one third of Australians work in NSW, but there still aren’t
enough skilled workers in some areas. Having sought after skills
like nursing or ICT will put you ahead of the game. So will traditional
trades such as food, automotive, engineering and hairdressing.
Country areas in particular are crying out for qualified workers
so if you’re prepared to go bush, your chances of employment
will be high.
Find out more about NSW skill shortages at www.workplace.gov.au/skillsindemand
Get some work experience
When you’re still at school, it can be hard to imagine what
working nine to five will be like. That’s why it’s
a good idea to do some work experience. Find out if your school
has a program or organise your own in the school holidays.
Making coffee, filing and photocopying might seem like boring jobs but they will
give you an insight into how workplaces operate. Hands on tasks will also give
you the opportunity to talk to different staff members about their job.
If you’re planning to head straight to work after finishing
school, a work experience placement is also an opportunity to make
some contacts. If you impress the right people, they’ll call
you first when a job comes up.
Volunteer
Volunteering in your local community is a good way to see a different
side of life and talk to people who’ve had varied careers
and life experiences. Why not get involved with a charity, your
local surf life saving club or neighbourhood centre?
Volunteering will look great on your resume. It’s
also great way to pick up the `soft skills’ that employers
are always looking for – such as initiative, organisational
skills, teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills.
Go to www.volunteering.com.au for
more ideas.
Gimme a break!
If it all seems too much, or you need more time to think, take
a year off after year 12. You could travel, volunteer or work -
or a combination of all three. If you’ve already applied
to uni, don’t worry, you can probably defer.
Travel is a great way to find out more about yourself and the
world. You could volunteer at an orphanage in Thailand, work in
a pub in London or pick fruit in Tasmania. Whatever you do, you’ll
be meeting new people and making your own decisions. Your adventures
might lead you to a career you hadn’t thought of.
If you like the idea of a more structured “gap year”,
the Australian Defence Force is now offering 12 month placements
in the Army, Navy or Airforce. You’ll be paid a $30,000 salary
and there’s no obligation to stay on after the year is up.
For more information go to www.defencejobs.gov.au/ADFGapYear
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