Careers & Pathways

How to increase your employability 

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Want to make sure you are employable and have a job in the future?

It starts with you in high school!

Here are some tips to help you...

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Tip 1) Build your resume by participating in career building activities 

• Get a casual or part time job

• Volunteer in the community

• Play sport

• Get involved in activities at school. E.g.: Join the BSSC Student Council 

• Complete an overseas exchange program if you can afford

• Attend career events at school and externally

 

Tip 2) Speak to the BSSC Careers & Pathways team

Start in Year 11. Follow our website and Facebook pages. 

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Tip 3: Plan your university or TAFE program carefully

Start researching what you would like to do after high school. Think about the employment prospects of the industry/occupation you are considering.

 

If you are going into further study, look for courses that offer work experience, career development programs, have good links with industry, and (if relevant) are accredited. Speak to graduates of the course and people working in the field to find out how they found work. 

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Example 1

If you want to study a degree like the Bachelor of Criminology, think carefully. There are many criminology degrees in Victoria, and this means there will be many graduates. How can you be competitive for graduate jobs? 

 

Combine the degree with another field of study that has strong graduate employment outcomes such as cybersecurity.

• E.g. Deakin University Bachelor of Cyber Security/Bachelor of Criminology

 

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Example 2

You would like to study a course focussed on marketing. This is a very popular course for people to study, so what will make you stand out? Choose a course that will give you substantial industry experience. E.g. 

• Swinburne University: Bachelor of Business (Professional) with a major in marketing. You will be guaranteed a year of paid industry experience 

• RMIT: Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied). You can undertake a year of industry experience.

 

Develop a plan with your career advisor and attend university and TAFE open days and experience days throughout the year.

 

Tip 4: Consider taking a traineeship

 

Traineeships are a combination of training and paid work over a 12 month period. They are a great option if you are considering taking a gap year or if you are unsure about going to university or TAFE.  

 

This will give you 12-months to mature, save money, gain experience in the industry you are interested in, and give you time to consider if you are happy with the course you have deferred.

 

Employers also love VET qualifications and industry experience, so this year could boost your graduate employment chances.

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Example 1: Amy would like to study a law degree. She is aware that more law graduates are being produced than ever before and that this may place pressure on the job market. She decides to complete a traineeship in legal administration in a law firm during her gap year.

 

Example 2: Steve would like to be a secondary teacher. He knows that supporting diverse learners in the classroom will be an important element of his future job. He also knows that based on the teaching speciality he goes into, he may find it difficult to gain graduate employment. He decides to complete a Certificate IV in Disability Studies or Education Support during his gap year at his local TAFE.

 

Example 3: Sarah would like to study a degree focussed on rehabilitation but isn’t sure what course she would be suited to. She receives an offer for Occupational Therapy, but to give herself more time to be sure of her course choice, she decides to complete the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance at TAFE. She knows that this course will provide her with a qualification, which will enable her to work as an allied health assistant whilst she is at university.

 

Example 4: Will would like to join the Police Force but is aware that he may not be competitive with a Year 12 qualification and little life experience. He decides to apply for the Airbase Security Gap Year program in the Air Force. During this year he will undertake combat training, weapons instruction, dog handling, and simulated terror attacks. This will give him more time to consider his future direction and may open up other career opportunities for him if he doesn’t receive a place in the Police Force.

 

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