Where to get information
There are many places where you can find information about career matching and industry details, trends and requirements. The internet is a great place to find this type of information. You'll also need to speak face to face to experts and others to collect other details and advice.
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Talking to others
It is helpful to talk to others about the career options you are considering. Talking with another person can often help to sort out which directions really do seem to suit you and those which may not. You will need to speak to someone with job matching and career planning expertise, like the career adviser at your school and/or others. Talking to those already working in the fields you are considering, other graduates with disability, family and/or friends might get you some useful information too.
Careers advisers
There will be a careers adviser available at your school to talk to you about career planning and work life after school. Having this kind of resource readily available to you at your school is a great opportunity to get some help in choosing a career. Don't miss talking to your careers adviser at school. Here are some tips for talking with your careers adviser:
- Give your careers adviser as much information as possible about your interests, skills and thoughts of potential careers.
- Describe to your careers adviser how your disability affects you, especially in relation to future work options.
- Be brave and asks lots of questions. You may find it hard to think of questions for the careers adviser on the spot during your allocated time with him/her. If so, jot down questions you may think of earlier. Ask how you can get in contact if/when you have further questions.
- Ask for specific details and advice about what steps you should take next to get ready for leaving school. Note these down.
In NSW the Department of Education and Training has established The Careers Advisory Service for the late December to mid January period for those students wanting careers and course advice immediately after receiving their HSC results. This service is available over the phone, in person or by sending an email.
Those already in the field
When talking with people who have already worked in the career you are interested in, consider these questions:
- What is an average day at work like?
- What are the most important skills and attributes I will need to succeed in this field?
- What are the benefits of this area of work?
- What are the biggest stressors of this area of work?
- Would you choose this career path if you were leaving school now?
- What would you change about your career in this area?
Other graduates with disability
When talking with other graduates with disability you may like to ask:
- How did you decide on a career direction?
- What are the most important lessons you've learned about career planning with a disability?
- How did you determine whether your chosen career could be adjusted to your disability-related needs?
Family and friends
When talking with friends and family it may be useful to ask:
- What career do you think would suit me and why?
- What do you think I should look for in a career and why?
- When planning your career development, what things do you take into account?
- What are the most important lessons you've learnt about selecting a career?
Surfing the internet
The internet provides different types of career information. Start your search with websites that help you to match your individual abilities and interests with careers that are likely to suit you. Then check out the websites that give factual details about specific careers including the work involved, the requirements to succeed at each career, pathways into the career, and working conditions. You can also get other general information about career planning and working life for people with disabilities. We have listed useful websites below to help guide your research. Remember this is not an exhaustive list and when you surf the net on these topics you will come across other useful websites to explore.
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myfuture: Australia's career information service
Allows students to explore future career options based on personal strengths and preferences. -
Careers Online
Provides career information in areas such as resume writing, job vacancies, job guides, new apprenticeships, defence careers and quizzes to assist you to choose a career. -
Job Guide
A government website that provides industry profiles and guidance for young Australians considering future career plans. Includes a quiz that will help you match your personal profile to future career directions. -
Job Juice
A government website by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to help young Australians to think about deciding on a career and finding a job. The website provides information about career planning while still at school, gathering career information to help decide on a career, and how to get a job. -
Job Outlook
Find out about Australian job prospects, weekly earnings, types of work and other useful occupational information. -
Graduate Careers Australia
Information about uni graduate careers, including industry descriptions, required qualifications, and likely job prospects. -
OZJAC
An Australian computer database providing information about jobs, careers and tertiary courses. A significant cost is involved in accessing this website. However many high school, TAFE and uni libraries will have this database available. -
Career information products: Department of Education, Science and Training website
A collection of PDF publications on job searching and career planning. -
Willing and Able Mentoring program (WAM): Gradlink website
Uni students who have a disability or ongoing medical condition and who have completed at least one year of their course can choose to participate in the Willing & Able Mentoring program (WAM). WAM is a national program which matches tertiary students with mentors in organisations in the students' field of interest for a series of approximately six to eight 1 to 2-hour discussion meetings. -
Careertips
An information guide, resource kit and referral source for school leavers, uni students and TAFE students with disability. Also includes information for professionals supporting students with disability.
Centrelink's Career Information Centres
Centrelink has three Career Information Centres in NSW (and more in other states) which provide a library of resources about most occupations, information about TAFE, uni and other tertiary courses and details of employment trends and pathways. Each Career Information Centre can also provide personalised information over the phone or by email or letter. This is a free service. For more details visit the Career Information Centres: Centrelink website.