CAREER EDUCATION
Career Education at Paraparaumu College is a whole school responsibility. It is designed to meet the needs of all our students, and involve the local and wider community. Our mission is to assist all students to make informed decisions about their future education, training, and work pathways.
APPOINTMENTS
Our Transition and Careers Department team members are available for appointments to talk about your options while you are studying and as you prepare to leave College. Parents are also welcome to attend these appointments.
If you need help with your subject selection you can see Mrs Kelly in the Careers Office, your Form Teacher, or College Deans.
You can email Mrs Kelly (kek@pc.school.nz) or Mrs Browne (brb@pc.school.nz) to make an appointment or you can request an appointment through Career Central.
Career Central
Career Central is our online school management system for careers. Within this system, students can explore potential careers, log their strengths and interests, register for events, share their next steps, indicate if they are interested in STAR courses, Trades Academy or Gateway programmes, complete careers quizzes, register for events, make a CV, find helpful resources and links and request interviews and check their interview notes.
Please ‘like” us on Facebook. Check out ‘Careers at Paraparaumu College’. Regular updates are posted on career events, potential jobs, and links to Career information to get you critically thinking about your pathways.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT AT PARAPARAUMU COLLEGE
This year the emphasis will be on developing the 3 career management competencies:
Developing self awareness
Competencies that enable young people to understand themselves and the influences on them.
Personality typing
Strengths and weakness
Goal setting
Tracking results
Informational interviewing
Employability skills
Exploring opportunities
Competencies that enable young people to investigate opportunities in learning and work, and relate them to themselves.
Job search
Career research
Work experience / shadowing
Tertiary open days
University updates
Deciding and acting
Competencies that enable young people to make and adjust their plans, to manage change and transition, and to take appropriate action.
Application forms
Meeting deadlines
Accommodation options
Scholarship and fees talks
Budgeting
Transport/ License
Choosing subjects/options
If you don’t know what you would like to study, go online for help! Check out Vocational Pathways.
What are Vocational Pathways?
The Vocational Pathways provide new ways to achieve NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3 and develop pathways that progress to further study, training and employment. Achieving NCEA Level 2 is the foundation for success in further education and the world of work. Level 3 builds upon this through shared opportunities across school, tertiary, and industry training. The Vocational Pathways provide a framework for students to show how their learning and achievement are valued in the workplace.
The six Vocational Pathways are:
Vocational Pathways Profile and Award
Vocational pathways provide more options for students to complete NCEA Level 2. By having more choices, ways and places to achieve NCEA Level 2 you will have more pathways into further learning and work. When you complete a vocational pathway you will receive a Vocational Pathways Award on top of receiving NCEA Level 2. This award is a way of showing employers that you have the knowledge and skills they are looking for.
If you would like to view your own personal vocational pathway, you may may do so by either logging in to your NZQA account, or using the on the school website to view your results, or visiting Career Central (the schools career management tool).
PONDERING WHAT CAREER TO CHOOSE FIRST?
Another great website to look at, if you are planning on leaving College and are not sure what to do next, is Careers NZ and this link for School Leavers is a great tool.
Are you finding decisions about what to study and or major in at University difficult? Check out ‘No Major Drama’. This site has heaps of suggestions on career paths you may never have thought of, and practical information about making decisions about University study.