If you want to lead a happy and fulfilled life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer, you certainly need to get educated.
It is education that helps you differentiate between right and wrong. Through education you learn ethical and moral values that help to make the world a better place. Education helps you live an independent life. Educated people are a key to economic growth of a nation. Education is important for everyone.
EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS
Thinking about your life after school can be overwhelming, but there is lots of support available to help you choose a career and education pathway. You could already be busy pursuing your dreams, applied and been accepted for university or TAFE. You might be thinking of taking an online course, doing an apprenticeship, taking a gap year or even starting your own business.
If you haven’t made a decision yet, here are some options and resources to help you decide.
UNIVERSITY
For many people, that choice will be university. Uni isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in getting a job in professions like medicine, law, education, engineering, architecture or veterinary science, or if you want to study the traditional academic disciplines of humanities and the classics, university is the place to be. Universities are a breeding ground for ideas, and courses are usually theory-based, so there’s lots of information and ideas to digest in a fairly competitive environment.
If you’re handy with computers, try a degree in Information Technology (IT), where you’ll find work in software development or computer programming. If you’re strong on maths and science but you also enjoy being outdoors, an engineering degree might work for you. Perhaps you want to flex your creative side? Try a creative arts degree if you like the sound of being an emerging visual or performing artist, while a journalism degree will suit those looking for a career in print, online, television or broadcast media.
The Good Universities Guide will help you find courses at Australia's top universities, TAFEs and training colleges. Whether you're looking to study a degree, enrol in an MBA program, or searching for more vocational training, you'll be sure to find a course to suit you.
If you’re thinking about applying to university, here is the UAC booklet for you to download: ‘Essentials: All About University Admissions Centre 9UAC) for Year 11 and 12 Students’.
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
If you are considering university studies but think that you won't qualify for entry, there are a range of support programs and different pathways available to you. University entry has historically been achievable by successful completion of year 12 and gaining an ATAR score (or OP in Queensland) at the minimum level or above for a particular course. While this pathway continues to be an effective one for many, it is not the only way to access further education at university. You may have:
- Not studied the prerequisite subjects for your chosen course
- Not achieved an adequate ATAR score for entry
- Left education early and want to return to studies
- Not studied for a long time (e.g. due to family duties) and want to return to studies.
New alternative entry points have recently been developed and are available to assist a broader field of applicants such as you to access university level education. Most universities within Australia are developing and offering a range of 'alternative entry pathways'.
If you’re not sure, it’s important to talk to someone who can help you. Contact your local TAFE, Registered Training Organisation or University directly, ask your school Careers Adviser, or a professional Career Practitioner, who can assist you to identify your best pathway to success. Or if you Google “Alternative Pathways to University” you’ll find all the information you need in your area.
TAFE
TAFE offers training that is practical, hands on and provides you with the skills you need for the job you want. This training makes you job ready. TAFE courses are geared towards employment and are developed by industry professionals. Students learn in a dynamic environment with teachers who have years of practical industry experience. The opportunities for study are endless.
Some of the more popular courses offered at TAFE include digital media, horticulture, jewellery manufacturing, business, electronic engineering and computing, as well as those courses supporting the growth of emerging technologies like bioinformatics, genomics and nanotechnology. Many arrangements exist between TAFE and Universities, so there is a real pathway for school leavers.
One of the best things about TAFE is its range of support services for students, including career counselling, learning assistance, access to resources and tutorial support. Flexibility is another major plus. You can choose to complete your course through either part time or full time study to suit your lifestyle. You can also study by distance education, which allows you to learn through videos, audio and online tutorials, satellite broadcasts and printed lesson notes, with email or networked support from teachers.
Wherever you live in Australia, you can check out a TAFE near you here.
APPRENTICESHIP
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to earn while you learn. You can develop new skills or a trade that will give you an industry-recognised qualification, and earn you money while you’re at it. There are dozens of apprenticeships on offer, and the trade you end up choosing all depends on what interests you and what you’re good at. Things like cabinet-making, furnishing, roof tiling, plastering or painting, decorating, hairdressing, information technology, aircraft engineering, hospitality, sport and recreation, boating, landscaping and many, many more.
Some of those apprenticeships identified are on the national skills needs list (which means there are not enough skilled workers in that industry, so jobs are easy to get). If working with your hands or working outdoors is something you love, an apprenticeship can give you the freedom to do just this. And qualified tradespeople in Australia are in huge demand in Australia and earning good money!
For more information or to find an apprenticeship, visit http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
PRIVATE COLLEGES
There are over 700 private colleges across Australia in all shapes and sizes that offer courses in community services, business, education, hospitality, tourism and IT. The benefits of private education providers are increased flexibility with the hours of classes and duration of courses. They are also very focused on the ‘real world’, which means they are committed to recruiting experienced, industry-aware teachers. Many courses also provide a good stepping-stone into university degrees if you are interested in pursuing further study.
STUDY WHEN IT SUITS YOU!
Consider studying online which is very easy to get into. This means you can fit studying into your busy lifestyle and study or work part-time when it suits you, where you are. These online course providers offer courses designed to help you achieve your academic or skills goals and improve your prospects of finding the right job. With hundreds of courses to choose from, you’ll be certain to find something that you feel is right for you. The range of courses includes hospitality, childcare and information technology.
Your study materials are provided to you in a variety of ways. There’s even a combination of online and campus study. If you need help with your studies, then all you have to do is phone your tutor or send an email. And most online course providers accept enrolments during most of the year.
If you’d like to chat to a MyCareerMatch Certified Course Adviser, call Ascent Learning on 1300 944 246 or visit http://www.ascentlearning.com.au. They’ll help you decide on a course that’s right for you. VET-FEE HELP available for most courses.
GET A JOB
Further education isn’t for everyone and lots of people decide to jump straight into the workforce after school. It might be more difficult to score the job of your dreams without further education behind you, but if you start out young you can build up some amazing experience (and dollars in your bank account).
Many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs got started early! Tell everyone (friends, family, next-door neighbours) that you are looking for a job. They may be able to give you good advice, or even better, arrange for you to meet people who can help you out in certain industries. Keep a constant eye on job advertisements in newspapers and online. Be proactive. Think about where you would like to work, organise a resume and walk right in and introduce yourself!
TAKE A YEAR OFF
A world of adventure awaits those who take a gap year. It’s a chance to have great experiences, meet new friends and make some money. There are no rules about when to take a gap year; it’s up to you. But between finishing school and starting further education seems to make sense.
Taking a gap year doesn’t necessarily mean filling your backpack and heading off around the world (although if you have the money to do that, it can be an option). The whole idea is to get away from those situations you’re used to and comfortable with—your family, school and home—and discover a bit about yourself.
Here are some resources to help you decide.
- Find up to date travel advisories from the government at www.smartraveller.gov.au
- All the health info you need can be found at www.travelclinic.com.au
- Book cheap accommodation around the world and access great traveller deals at www.yha.com.au
- For a huge range of working holidays or volunteer programs, go to www.owh.com.au
- Get paid work on cruise ships through www.cruiseplacement.com
- Organise a bar job in the French Alps through www.anyworkanywhere.com
- Become a camp counsellor in the USA. Go to www.ymca.org.au and find out how.
Source: NSW Department of Education and Training
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” Chinese Proverb