The objective is to set up as many options as possible for yourself so that in January 98 you can have some choice in determining your future direction.

1. Applying to a university course.

You are eligible to apply to any course in Australian Uni’s , TAFE’s or private colleges. Some students may be restricted by requirements such as (prerequisite) subjects, results in their final year examinations or by location, costs etc. but this does not stop you seeking out, and applying for, a great number of courses that you qualify for.

In most states you can apply for entry into up to six courses through the respective application systems. UAC, QTAC,VTAC etc The most difficult part is to reduce the choices down to a final six - really do read the UAC,QTAC etc guides and make notes on any courses that you may possibly consider. Take these notes to your careers adviser and discuss them - they will help you put the courses in an order of priority. Discuss this negotiated final six choices with your parents and family.

For NSW and Queensland, applications are to be done over the telephone. Of interest here is that the responsibility to actually make the phone call is yours - do not expect the school to take care of this for you.

Spend time in the schools careers resource room researching the courses, use the printed information, OZJAC software and the internet they have available, attend open days at the universities you are interested in and do contact the universites student admission services to ask them any questions you may have re: the courses you are contemplating.

Scholarships are available to students in many areas of study. The school, usually via the careers adviser, has these available for you to look at - go and ask about them as well as the possibility of gaining a cadetship / traineeship with a company (all designed to assist you in financing your studies). Your careers adviser will probably hold small group seminars on how to fill out the scholarship forms (the winning way to do them) - attend these seminars and gain from their experience in doing this.

A few universities offer other schemes that are based on schools recommendation of the students - in the region surrounding that university - find out about these and apply.

Be careful to check if you have to attend an interview, sit an audition or present a portfolio for entry to the courses you are contemplating - generally in the creative fields only.

The standard closing date for applications is the 27th of September 1997.

2. Applying for TAFE courses.

This is not as standardised as for universities, each state varies the procedures, so you really have to do the groundwork youself.

Some, normally the popular ones, can be applied for as part of the universities procedures of QTAC,UAC, VTAC etc so check the respective guides from each state. So they have to be applied for by Sept.27th.

Most require you to apply directly to the TAFE institute you wish to attend and you can apply in January 1998 for entry to the courses. Do contact the TAFE colleges to confirm application procedures.

Discuss and find out about credit transfer between your HSC subjects and TAFE subjects with your careers adviser. This can save you having to do the entire course you have chosen.

3. General job finding.

What selection tests can you sit for - usually with State Authorities

Do register with the CES for employment and at the same time find out about Traineeships that may be available.

Create a network of people keeping an eye out for employment opportunities for you.

Do some short courses at TAFE or a private college - Nanny, bartending, typing etc

Try and find any form of work so that you build up a “work orientated background” that employers do respect.

And lastly, please be flexible and willing and ready to take an opportunity when it occurs - “yes I can start tomorrow” attitude is required.