Claire Pech – Careers Advisor

We are now in the busiest term for a typical school Careers Advisor, so I am preparing myself for the weeks ahead!

Usually we have a flurry of Open Days for students to attend and UAC notches up a gear, as students create and work through their preferences list. TAFE hosts their open days and the tertiary sector starts to pitch for students’ business. This is all before we tackle the COVID-19 repercussions on this industry, with changed delivery of their core business, the international fallout, and a change in funding structure, to name just a few issues.

In my meeting this week with Year 12, I have encouraged them to make contact with their preferred institutions to see what they are doing to engage with their students:

Sydney University: Student and Year 12 parent session on 4 August 2020, 6.00 pm – 7.00 pm  
UNSW: Open Day, 5 September 2020
Macquarie University: Open Day, 15 August 2020
UTS: Open Week, Monday 31 August 2020 – Saturday 5 September 2020  
ANU: Open Week, 22 August 2020 – 28 August 2020        
TAFE: No specific day planned, but their website provides extensive details of courses
Western Sydney University: Open Weekend, 14 August 2020 – 16 August 2020

Further information can be found here: Open-Day-Planner-2020

A lot of universities are hosting virtual open days, Q&A sessions online and webinars in faculty areas to counteract for not being able to meet face-to- face. Research is now key. Many students are also reconsidering a GAP year in light of uncertain travel plans, which will intensify the numbers attending universities and changing plans for 2021 (this will have no impact on competition, as students would still be acquiring places, but then deferring).

This non-linear pathway comes from a UNSW slide showing the varying pathways that the ‘typical’ student follows, which are usually interwoven and individual. I encourage all students to embrace the chaotic nature of this, and plan for it, as much as you can, but also know that chance, personal connections, new ideas, plans and interests will come into it too.

For parents who are wanting more support during these unprecedented times and how to support your children through this, a webinar will be held by the Career Industry Council of Australia on Thursday 30 July 2020 from 7.00 pm. Please register here.