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Pathways and Careers

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What is the "new normal" for Pathways?

COVID-19 has provided us with an opportunity to explore how we are adapting to this extraordinary and unprecedented season. One of the new buzz phrases floating around is “what does the new normal look like?” Some of us may have been able to reflect not only on the changes we have made in our work but also in our lives. I found that it was a valuable time to reflect on the little things we may have taken for granted. For some students, teachers may have been one of those things. I have been impressed by the way our students adapted to online learning at such a rapid pace when faced with no choice. Some of my students have shared with me the skills they learnt whilst in lockdown. These included; time-management, new ways of communicating and connecting, research skills, and how best to manage the virtual experience of learning.

In this season, careers services around the world are adapting their practice to help students understand and build their confidence and skills when participating in virtual interviews. Within New Zealand, the way that career expos and tertiary visits occur has had to be modified. We are impacted by the cancellation and postponement of career expos/school expos throughout New Zealand as a result of the pandemic. These cancellations and postponements will result in a significant gap in information for High School students intent on researching their future study options. In order to address this vacuum, Media Design School in conjunction with Torrens University Australia, ran a Virtual Careers Expo from 18-19 June 2020, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Virtual Careers Expo

The New Zealand Expo aimed at enabling students to explore future learning pathways via real-time interactivity with tertiary education providers from all regions of New Zealand. We believe the provision of this event has been critical in ensuring that young adults feel confident and supported, despite the uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

Over 40 tertiary education providers took part in this event, including all eight New Zealand universities, plus a wide range of polytechnics, Wananga and private tertiary providers. Attendees could enter a virtual ‘exhibition hall’ and could browse through the participating providers, visiting their virtual stands and engaging in live chats with representatives from each institution. Just like at a real-life career expo, they could attend scheduled presentations. Each provider hosted a 20-minute webinar session, where attendees could participate in a live Q&A. This initiative, set up by Media Design School, was provided at no cost to the exhibiting education providers or prospective students.

Online Tertiary Presentations

In addition to the Virtual Careers Expo in June, KingsWay School hosted several Tertiary Presentations via Zoom with representatives from the University of Auckland, AUT, Unitec, Victoria, Massey and Otago. These sessions were aimed at Senior school students in Years 11, 12 and 13. For non-school leavers, the Zoom sessions provided a great chance to explore options and find out relevant information to assist in making subject choices in a student’s final years. The Tertiary Representative presented an overview of the different courses available and provided an opportunity to ask questions. Parents/caregivers were encouraged to join in and be a part of this process.

Career Central

Career Central is an online platform that our students have access to from Middle School to Year 13.

It is a tool that enables students to gain self-knowledge and develop their identity over time. It is our vision for all students to transition from school as confident life-long learners with decision-making tools equipped to navigate their lives with purpose. Students and parents have access using their KAMAR ID and password. It is a platform that students can update throughout their years at school, gradually becoming the student’s electronic story, building a picture of who they are and equipping them for when they transition out of school.

Career appointments are available for all senior students requiring additional support in subject selection and pathways from Year 10 up to Year 13.

Scholarships

MoneyHub, a consumer finance website, has published a guide to hundreds of scholarships for any student planning to start university in 2021. The comprehensive list includes scholarships offered by every university as well as those specifically available to local students. A list of privately-funded Maori, Pacific and international university scholarships completes the list. For more details and to find suitable scholarships, visit the MoneyHub Scholarship page.

Gateway is an optional programme that offers structured workplace learning opportunities to our senior students. It is a formal arrangement between a school, a student and an employer that offers hands-on learning in their industry chief interest. With the assistance of the Tertiary Education Commission Funding (TEC), our intake is currently 37 students. Our students have gained work experience in customer service, automotive, construction, interior design, theatre technologies, hairdressing, early childhood education and plumbing to name only a few. If you have a business that would benefit from having a Gateway student support you in any way, then we would love to hear from you!