Policy & ReformTop Story
Career advisors failing school kids
Careers advisors are often portrayed on screen as troubled and unprofessional. Think Valerie Marks from the MTV series Awkward, who tends to overshare with students, or David Gold, the alcoholic protagonist from the 2014 Canadian dark comedy flick Guidance. The state of real-life careers advisors in NSW is far less dramatic, but equally concerning. That’s why NSW youth advocacy group Youth Action is calling for an overhaul of the system.
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I don’t believe my students are too different to others in NSW. We have those students who are high achievers and aspire to lofty heights – who also do the hard yards. We also have those students with high aspirations and do not put in the hard work. We have many who want to leave school and gain apprenticeships and trainee ships – we are a Trade Training Center and work hard to ensure our students have dual qualifications. We have others who have no idea, unsure and lack confidence.
We have students who have no direction and yes not sure where to start.
But the one thing in common across all age groups – the information is provided to each and every one and each student is supported as much as possible.
I have been a Careers Adviser for just on 40 years – the one thing that is vital for any career direction/development is that the student has to be ready for the information. If they do not see the importance of a CV/resume at the time it is presented in class – they put no effort in – they will definitely put the effort in when they need it.
Relevance – and timely relevance is the issue.
From a Careers Advisers perspective this is what is difficult in the school system – you have to deliver class work that fits into the timetable – if the student is not interested at that time they are not engaged – they are not a behaviour they are just not ready for that information – they complete all work but “learning and maintaining” the information and skills does not occur AT THAT TIME.
Careers Advisers can repeat the information to each student in the school when they ask for it or when you remind them of timelines – and would prefer to do this and make such information very personal – specific to the individual. Individual case management is preferred but time-consuming.
Unfortunately – school systems do not always allow these opportunities to exist – the teacher needs to be in a classroom – and many times not delivering any careers related subjects.
Careers Advisers do not only push university study – quite the contrary – we try very hard to advise not only students, parents but also teachers and senior executives at the school of opportunities and advantages of undertaking non-university post school training.
School achievements related to ATAR and NAPLAN are reduced to a figure – thus easy to showcase and these are seen as a priority by many – not always the school – but demanded by other stakeholders – thus impact of what can be offered int he way of alternate and additional programs at the school.
Careers Advisers are NOT FAILING anyone – look at the system!!!
As I Career Adviser at an Independent school in the Northern Territory I agree wholeheartedly with the comments from Vicki Jansem.
We are a well resourced school and I have the chance to work with students individually that need it but often students are not ready for the information. I have anxious parents that want to push their child in a particular direction and with many families, their expectations may exceed the child’s ability.
As a Career Adviser, I do not think it is my responsibility to determine a student’s career. I strive to make them aware of opportunities and pathways available and encourage them to develop the skills needed for their area of interest.
The world of work is evolving at a tremendous pace and developing students that are critical and creative thinkers, with strong personal and social capabilities will enable them to adapt and flourish in the ever-changing employment environment.
I don’t think Career Advisers are failing anyone but I think the education system’s focus on separating learning by subject area and not including the development of more experiential learning and problem solving is truly where change needs to occur.