The work experience program has been introducing Year 10 students to life outside school for decades, exposing young people to a whole new world and sending them back to the classroom with a new set of skills.
It’s a program that has inspired students to pursue their passions or rethink their career trajectory — both scenarios that St Joseph’s College students Hunter Reid, Elle Reyne and Jack Alberni experienced last year.
Each of the students went on their own journeys for work experience: Hunter helped out at Rich River Golf Club, Jack tried out the tools at two trades jobs, and Ella had a run in with the law, working at a legal firm.
Over a week, the students got to experience life in the shoes of those who mentored them.
And however different their responsibilities were, there was one common conclusion that they each came to — in one way or another, work experience had shaped the way they thought about their futures.
For Ella, work experience shone a light on the realities of being a lawyer.
“I’ve always been interested in law, so I kind of wanted to see the inside of how it actually works,” Ella said.
“It opened my eyes to how much more desk work and paper work it is.”
Ella has refocused her goal of studying law, but is also preparing for studying criminal psychology to spice up the office life she experienced.
In Jack’s case, he has focused on an electrician VET course after his two work experiences with electrical contractors and builders.
“With building I was expecting something, but in reality it was a bit different,” he said.
“(Work experience) showed me which way I want to go in being an electrician.”
As for Hunter, he already had a job with Rich River, but work experience opened his eyes to the behind-the-scenes and day-to-day realities of working at a golf club.
Meeting with equipment sponsors and observing client relationships inspired him to pursue the management aspects of the industry after secondary school; pending a successful golfing career, of course.
“There was a lot more going on ... all that sort of stuff that I didn’t realise happened when I do my usual Saturday shift,” Hunter said.
Ella, Jack and Hunter’s stories are three of thousands of students who have gone out into the workforce and come back with an informed view of where they would like to take life.
St Joseph’s work-related skills educator Ben Hearn said with businesses offering up a space to students for a week, they were doing their part in guiding the workforce of the future.
“It’s important to support our young people,” he said.
“We talk a lot about local job futures and youth pathways, so this work experience is vital in that community to have those opportunities.”
Mr Hearn encouraged businesses to say yes to students if they were asked for a place to do work experience.
“Give someone a go — it could be beneficial in the future for not only just the young person, but also some of these local businesses,” he said.
So as this cohort of Year 10s prepares to enter the workforce, these students are asking you to consider whether your workplace could provide the opportunity to inspire or inform a young person before they begin their career journey.
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