OLMCBI 209

National Careers Week (15 May – 21 May) aims to celebrate careers, career development and services whilst promoting the economic, social and personal benefits of career development. Whilst there are many factors involved in career development, one key principle draws on the over simplistic, but useful statement by Founder and President of the Children’s Defence Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’.

At OLMC we have taken the focus of this week to launch our inaugural OLMC Industry Insight Series, welcoming alumni and other professionals connected with the OLMC community on campus to share their experiences and knowledge with our current students who are beginning to explore, visualise and make decisions about their own futures.

The series will run throughout Terms 2 and 3 mostly during the breakfast hour of 8.00am-9.00am with students across all year levels offered the opportunity to join as audience members in a Q&A Panel Discussion.

We were so pleased to host two Industry Q&A Panels this week; a ‘Health-focused’ and a ‘Media Industry-focused’ session. Both were well attended by students keen to learn more about careers in Medicine, Nursing, Paramedicine and Medical Research, as well as Radio and Journalism.

OLMC Alumni Laura McKinley (Class of 2002), Kelsey Hibberd (2013), Laura Gatto (2018), Loren Barry (2007) and Sarah Abo (2003) along with friend of OLMC, Rachel Annetta, shared inspiring personal insights whilst offering useful information and advice to their engaged audience.

Future Industry Insight Q&A Panels on Tuesdays from 8:00am – 9:00am include:

30 May

Business

6 June

Law

13 June

Science

20 June

Creative

11 July

Engineering

18 July

Sport

25 July

Technology

1 August

Health

8 August

Business

15 August

Science

22 August

Creative

29 August

Emergency Services

5 September

Education

12 September

Humanities

Please see session flyers on PAM for information regarding our panellists and encourage your young person to attend.

Students will need to register their attendance via the link provided on SIMON and parents/guardians keen to join us are welcome to attend.

If you or someone you know holds an interesting job title or has an inspiring career story and would be happy to be a panellist for a casual Q&A discussion, particularly in the areas of Business, Sport, Emergency Services, Primary or Early Childhood Education, Psychology or Politics and Community Service, please email Careers Coordinator, Melinda Williams mwilliams@olmc.vic.edu.au

Please note all panellists will need to hold or apply for a Working with Children Check.

The Trades Fit: Women in Trades Expo
On Thursday 11 May, 25 eager students attended The Trades Fit: Women in Trades Expo held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

With over 100 exhibitors boasting hands-on, interactive experiences, informative seminars and merchandise galore, the students were exposed to a wide array of industries and job roles within the trades and STEM industries, which they had never contemplated before.

Students spent hours talking with professionals, engaging with VR experiences, trying out hands-on tasks and watching practical demonstrations. They climbed in trucks and diggers, built jewellery stands using power tools, laid bricks and unpicked locks just to name a few experiences.

The event left a lasting impression on all who chose to attend:

I gained an interest in plumbing and electrical trades.
Greta R. (10AJGU)

For someone who feels a bit lost and stressed about what to do for the future, this was an awesome opportunity to learn about careers I’ve never even heard of. I learnt about mining as well as aviation. These were highlights for me and are definitely careers I’m now interested in doing in the future.
Jasmine P. (10AHRA)

I loved the VR headset and being able to experience what it would be like to work on the electrical internals of an elevator. I learnt there are lots of amazing, useful pathways that I never thought of doing which I now would consider, such as project management and flying.
Madeleine K. (10AJIN)

It was great seeing so many girls getting involved.
Scarlett F. (9GTA)

The experience was very enriching and I can’t wait to hopefully go again next year to try bricklaying, horticulture and virtual reality!
Alana P. (10CSGP)

Melinda Williams
Careers Coordinator