2 minute read
Careers
NAVIGATING PATHWAYS TO CAREER dreams
HOW THE MLC CAREERS TEAM SUPPORTS STUDENTS TO PLAN THEIR FUTURES
Young people today can expect to have five distinct careers across 17 different jobs throughout their lifespan, according to research by the Foundation for Young Australians.
MLC’s Careers team uses this insight to alleviate some of the pressure young women face when planning their senior school subjects and university preferences.
“Young people today are much more likely to reinvent themselves throughout their careers,” says Head of Careers, Chris Walkley. “We are looking at the first part of their adventure. The question is, what do you want to do first?”
The College’s qualified career specialists provide every student with personalised support throughout their Middle and Senior School years. They encourage girls to strike a balance between forward planning and exploration, and each student has the same Careers advisor for their duration at MLC to ensure continuity and growth.
Top: Head of Careers, Chris Walkley, with thenstudent Nikita Chumbley (2019) during a careers guidance session. “When they focus on their strengths and interests, students tend to do better academically and enjoy their senior years so much more,” says Chris.
With subject selection starting in Year 9, this year MLC introduced a webinar for Year 9 parents, to help them support their daughters through the process.
Chris says Year 10 is the perfect opportunity for students to “test-drive subjects of interest”, helping them to plan their study pathway for Years 11 and 12, and beyond. Work experience and online career assessments also inform students’ decisions as to whether to study the IB or VCE (with the option of taking VET subjects).
In Years 11 and 12, the Careers program focuses on post-school pathways, including selecting university preferences.
Now in her second year studying Media and Communications at La Trobe University, past student Pannara Baker (2018) values the support she received. “Career counselling took the pressure off me. I knew I had someone to bounce ideas off,” Pannara says. “They helped me to find courses that catered for my interests and to understand the fine print when I was looking through different options.”
Pannara is one of several alumnae who presented to students and parents at this year’s MLC Careers Showcase, an annual event delivered in partnership with the MLC Parents’ Association and MLC Advancement. Of course, the 2020 event looked a little different, with each Q&A session offered online. While most panels focused on specific career sectors, Pannara’s panel offered advice about the transition to university.
“My advice to students is that there is always a pathway into your dream course and to keep a positive and open mindset when it comes to choosing your careers,” she says.
While universities usually attend the annual expo, this year the Careers team organised online presentations solely for MLC students. As well as Victorian universities, students heard from several interstate and international universities, including New York University, Vanderbilt University and University College London.
Whether on campus or online, MLC’s whole school approach to wellbeing means a shared approach to looking out for the girls as their study obligations increase.
The Careers team works closely with the Counselling and Learning Support teams, as well as House Co-ordinators and Tutors in the Senior School.
Pannara Baker (2018) valued the support she received from MLC Careers as a student, and was a presenter at this year’s MLC Careers Showcase.
