Tips for school leavers

Tips for school leavers

While there are more places being offered by universities in 2011 some people will still miss out on a spot but the CEO of PVS Work find, Therese Mulherin, says there is no need to panic.

PVS Work find is part of the Job Services Australia network and as such can offer free advice to school leavers in Queensland, NSW, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Here are Ms Mulherin’s tips for getting your career started if you don’t get into university.

1. Reassess your goals.It is important to reassess what you are seeking to achieve and why it is important to you. Do this by writing down the five key motivators/things you are looking for in your work and in your private life.
2. Understand the idea of career pathways and career mapping..Talk to an expert such as a Job Services Australia provider like PVS Work find about your areas of interest. You will be amazed at the range of options that may enable you to look at alternative study, training and employment options that you may not have considered.
3. Stay focused….Remember what you are trying to achieve and that it may take time and effort for you to reach your goal. Staying motivated will help you focus on the task at hand. Use other people to help stay motivated – your friends, family and people trying to achieve the same goal.
4. Make use of the extensive support available….There are a range of services that you can access depending on your circumstances. These vary from government agencies to private organisations. The best way to start is by going to talk to a Job Services Australia provider such as PVS Work find who can tell you what you are eligible for - be it income support, training subsidies or traineeships/apprenticeships.
5. Access the range of training and skills development available to you…The best way to start on the pathway to achieving your goal is by building your skills. Every skill you learn will be of use and open up opportunities to you.
6. Develop your employability skills…..It is important to learn about the world of work and understand what your future employers will be looking for - not just your particular skills, but also your ability to be part of a team and be reliable.
7. Take an interest in what is going on around you……Find out what other people are doing through your networks and importantly find out what is going on in and around your area. When you are entering the world of work you will be mixing with people of all ages and backgrounds so it is important to understand your community.
8. Set yourself a routine…..It is sometimes hard after leaving school to get back into a routine. While time off can be relaxing at the start, the fact that you have no “timetable” may get you down after a while. Set yourself tasks on a weekly basis.
9. Develop a support network…..To stay motivated it is important that you have people around you who can support you and encourage you to remain on track. These can be your friends, your family, people you meet who are trying to achieve the same goals as you and consultants and organisations that are assisting you.
10. Most importantly never give up!…..Remember that you may need to assess and change your goals along the way and it may take you longer than you thought to achieve your target. You’ll learn new skills along the way and it’ll be worth it when you get there!

Article from CareerOne.com.au