Monday, August 25, 2008

Y9-10 Video Competition with Cisco Services – Get ready to upload on YouTube!

Hello there

Cisco Services are a leading networking company with a passion for engaging youth in their industry – not just as end users but as employees bringing new technologies into the world.

This year they are running a careers based competition for Yr 9 and 10 students across NSW.
Students are to work in teams preparing a 3-5 minute video looking at the many faces of people in the information and communications technology industry.

There are prizes for the students and school and the videos will be uploaded on YouTube.

For details check out http://www.cisco.com/ or get in touch with your child’s school.


Until next time

Melody

Cut, Style, Bob! - Hairdressing as a career!

Hello there

Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a hairstylist to the stars?

If they are a trained hairdresser from Australia they will most probably have completed a Certificate III in Hairdressing as part of an apprenticeship.

Further training may have been completed in small business management or business at a TAFE or university while other complimentary studies in beauty therapy may also have been undertaken.

Hairdressing is classified as a skills shortage area, as the result of an increased interest in the beauty and personal services industries from Y gen clients and as many baby boomers retire from the industry.

Options for training are also changing with some students being able to fast track their learning through colleges offering full time 'salon-ready' hairdressers who have completed an intensive year’s study.

Students who are interested in hairdressing but do not wish to take on an apprenticeship may find this model more to their liking.

If you have a budding hairstylist in Yrs 10, 11 or 12 interested in competing for a scholarship to attend Pivot Point International’s Sydney campus and begin their pathway to becoming a hairstylist to the stars -

Please contact jsoady@pivot-point.edu.au

Until next time

Melody

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Experimenting with Science - Why choosing science in senior years pays off!

Hello there,

Talk to many science graduates and they will often say the same thing – they were thought of as the ‘nerds’ of school. These were those brainy individuals that loved studying more than sport, drama and the opposite sex!

But names hurt you less when you have a successful career in a science based occupation under your belt.

Many students are not choosing science at high school and the results are showing in our skills shortages across all industry groups in Australia.


Some of the many job opportunities that call for a science background include:

agricultural engineer, aquaculture technician, cardiac technologist, dietician, environmental health officer, forensic scientist, geneticist, health services- hospital manager, marine scientist, sports psychologist, plastic surgeon, nuclear medicine technologist, civil engineering designer or draftsperson, gemmologist, air traffic controller, electronics engineer or technician, computer engineer


Australia may have developed an enviable reputation as a nation of innovators but if our students are not taking up science, and information technology we are not going to grow that reputation into the future.

Did you know that many industries are offering scholarships and cadetships in the science fields to attract quality candidates?

The university of your choice should have a comprehensive list of scholarships and cadetships available. Check out their websites for details.

The Australian government sites such as Geo-science Australia may also be of interest.
www.ga.gov.au/jobs/cadetships


So if your child shows interest in sciences and innovation you need to be thinking about developing that interest to help them get over the ‘nerd’ handle and into the ‘kool’ handle. Some websites that might assist are:


www.osmr.nsw.gov.au - Science X - posed

www.careersinscience.gov.au – Cool careers in science

www.ansto.gov.au - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation


Till next time

Melody

Everyone Knows Something about Careers!

Hello there.

Everyone knows something about careers - This is also a truth!

If you are working currently then you will have some knowledge of your own field.
If you are a stay at home parent, think about your skills in time management, budgeting, conflict resolution, negotiating etc.

As an exercise have a look at your own field of work.

- What are the jobs in your industry?

- What qualifications do you require to do the jobs in your company?

- How many of your co-workers hold qualifications either from university or a tertiary provider?

Look at your circle of friends, what career paths are they following....

Ask them to share with you how they got in to the jobs they do, what are the pros and cons etc

If appropriate ask them to share this information with your children.

These forms of informal learning are as important as the more formalised searches through industry associations, career websites and sessions with careers advisors at school or privately.

Here is a great website that is a good place to start your child on their career pathway - why you may even find out information for yourself! Check with your local school as careers advisers often hold classes for parents in how to make the best use of this site.


www.myfuture.com.au


Till next time


Melody