Our students are assisted and supported to discover their future vocational path through tertiary study and career development.
The Careers Department is comprised of Careers and Pathways Coordinator, VET Coordinator & VCE-VM Coordinator
The MGSC Careers Website provides a one-stop location for numerous career resources.
The Careers department publishes a weekly newsletter (shared on Compass) and back copies can be viewed on the MGSC Careers Website. There’s also a plethora of careers resources including job videos, career targets (research careers aligned with school subjects), gap year and volunteering ideas, apprenticeship information, university study options, VTAC applications, university open days and much more.
The career practitioner welcomes appointments with students at any time. Students (and parents) are welcome to make an appointment request by emailing Karen Garton, the Careers and Pathways Coordinator.
Every Year 12 student attends a mandatory 1:1 career meeting during term 1 of Year 12. These appointments provide students with relevant information and resources they will need during their final year. Beyond this term 1 meeting, year 12 students are welcome to return to the careers department any number of times to ask questions and receive support.
Meetings are tailored for specific pathway aspirations or can outline future pathway options and provide support for the decision-making process, preparing students for the transition beyond secondary school.
This program kicks off with the ‘Getting a Job’ presentation delivered by Elevate Education for all Year 9 students. The presentation explains the process of applying for work, the challenges that may be encountered, and how to create and submit a resume/cv that will land you an interview.
This is followed up with time in class for students to prepare their own resume and cover letter to apply for a mock job from a selection of provided job advertisements. The resume and cover letter documents can be used as a foundation for preparing future resumes and cover letters.
This work culminates in a mock job interview. The mock interviews are conducted by Year 11 and 12 VCE-VM students. Appointments are scheduled during class time, and students attend their ‘interview’ with a panel of 2-3 VCE-VM students. The simulation provides Year 9 students with a real experience of ‘pre interview jitters’ where they gain practice in collecting their thoughts and answering questions in the moment. Through the mock interview program, VCE-VM students have the experience of conducting an interview and honing their communication skills. Along with the unique experience of seeing what it’s like to be asking the interview questions.
Work experience is an important part of our Year 10 career education program at Mentone Girls’ Secondary College. It helps students to explore potential future career options, understand what workplaces are really like, experience the rigour of a 9-5 workday and help inform year 11 and 12 study choices.
Work Experience takes place for all students during the same week, typically in May (week 4 or 5 of term 2). Work Experience dates are advised well in advance, so students and their families have time to plan, apply for and secure a placement.
Students are requested to secure their own placement with an employer utilising their network of family, friends and associates, or simply making application directly to a potential employer. In the event students are not able to find anything suitable, the Careers and Pathways Coordinator may use external networks to help the student find a placement.
Work Experience placements are a formal arrangement between the student, parent/carer, employer and the Department of Education. Specific paperwork must be completed to ensure students are covered by the Department of Education WorkCover insurance.
Students complete occupational health and safety modules and certificates to ensure they understand workplace requirements prior to going out on placement.
The Careers and Pathways coordinator administers the sharing, completion and collation of all forms and certificates.
The Department of Education gives every Victorian Government school student free access to the world-leading Morrisby online career education tool.
Morrisby is a psychometric assessment undertaken during year 9 that by working through a series of questions and quizzes provides insight into aptitude strengths, work preferences, and personality and provides career suggestions.
Morrisby profiling is completing during term 4 for all Year 9 students and is followed by an ‘unpacking’ session where students learn about their individual profile and how it can be used to support future pathway choices.
Throughout the school year, the careers department facilitates opportunities for middle and senior school students to participate in experiences that provide insights into future careeropportunities. These include excursions like: The Trade & Tech Fit Careers Expo, VET Taster Days at Holmesglen, Deakin University Tour, MGSC Careers Expo (where tertiary institutions come to MGSC), Girls in Property (by the Property Council of Australia).
The Careers Department play an active role in supporting students with their subject selections through the transition from middle school and into VCE. Events like the VCE Information evening and Year 10 and Year 11 course counselling days provide valuable information to support students and their parents/carers.
Students are able to enrol in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course during years 10-12. VET studies are treated like a VCE subject and may contribute to the ATAR. A network of partner colleges and institutions give access to a wide range of VET courses with most of our students attending Holmesglen, Kangan and Chisholm Institutes on Wednesday afternoons for their classes.
The VET Coordinator provides information for students regarding course availability, administers student enrolments, monitors attendance and shares communications provided by course providers with students and parents/carers.
The Career department provide information for students during year level presentations. Some examples include; Year 12 Conference presentation, university fees and how debts are repaid, creating a VTAC account, how to choose your VCE program.
Year 12 is an important time for students as they begin to plan for their transition into what comes next. For most students at MGSC the pathway is to further study at University or TAFE, however a larger number and making their way into apprenticeships, traineeships and directly into the world of work.
The Careers and Pathways Coordinator provides Year 12 students with timely information and support in relation to the application process for university study. This includes VTAC account creation, listing course preferences, applying for Equity Schemes and scholarships, change of preference periods, the offers process and accepting/deferring offers.
