Careers
The Careers team at Hillmorton High School are leaders in Career development processes and Transition education. Qualified staff guide students through their years at school helping with decision making, managing and growing self, opportunity awareness, building aspirations and encouraging independence. A wide range of current resources are available in a spacious well-resourced centre which are available to all in the school community.
‘Career development’ is the process of encouraging students to be active creators of their own futures through access to career education, guidance, counselling and information. The emphasis is on learning from the range of experiences both within school and also in the broader range of life activities. Collectively these are what provide the foundation for career planning and direction.
Career development education programmes at Years 9 and 10 are integrated through core subjects and prepare students for making inpidual decisions. Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students are involved in inpidual meetings for personal career and course counselling. They are encouraged to take part in career related activities in addition to school based learning to explore future possibilities and to show how their education fits in the world beyond school.
Experiential learning allows students to get involved in a work or industry area to see and feel what a situation is like for them. Various learning opportunities are available from Year 10 ‘one day taster courses’ through to more comprehensive experiences like STAR (secondary/tertiary alignment resource) courses, Gateway placements where Unit Standards can be gained, short work experience or work shadowing opportunities, Youth apprenticeships and university papers. Wide choice caters to inpidual career pathways.
A Job Search programme is available for students leaving school. At the beginning of each year every leaver from the previous year is contacted to ensure their plans are on track. For those who have changed their plans, an invitation to join Job Search, if appropriate, is made. In a short time after intensive employment preparation, inpiduals move into work or training.
Parents and families are the most powerful influence on career choice – even when they don’t mean to be. Dr Heather Carpenter a NZ careers consultant and author of ‘The Career Maze’ found this from research she completed. Sixty per cent of young people (15 – 19 years) responded that parents, or mother or father influenced their choices through their own career experiences. “Knowing about a parent’s work can make it seem attractive or can be exactly the opposite”. ‘The Career Maze’ provides understandings “about family conversations and behaviours that grow career confidence, self-knowledge and clarity so that young people can make good decisions”.
The most important focus for us as parents and career educators is to help our young people come to know their own ‘speciality areas‘well enough so they can choose the direction to personal success and competence.
In their report on the 2007 visit, the Education Review Office said
The Board, Principal & Careers Staff place a high priority on providing all students with effective advice and guidance on courses and careers.
Students make good use of a well resourced careers facility.
Students spoke positively about the opportunities provided through transition and gateway programmes.
Staff follow up on all school leavers and provide good ongoing support for students who leave with few qualifications or without a destination.
Many students return for further advice and/or to use facilities.
Careers staff link with the community to support these students into work/study