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FAQs

Career Planning

What’s the point in thinking about my future now there’s all these job cuts?

Whatever you’ve heard about the current economic problems, it won't always be like this, and it certainly won’t affect the future demand for skilled and passionate people in South Australia key industries. So instead of asking yourself “Will there be a job for me in 2020?”, you should be thinking "Will I have the all the skills I need to get a job that gives me the challenges, rewards and lifestyle that I want?". If you do the groundwork now, you’ll be prepared for an interesting and exciting future, full of opportunity.
What is a TER and how does it work?

TER stands for your Tertiary Entrance Rank – it is a measure which higher education institutions use to rank students for selection into particular courses. To be eligible to gain a TER, you’ll need to complete five Stage 2 (Year 12) subjects.
I think I know what I want to do, but I’m not good at the subjects I need. What should I do?

There’s plenty you can do. For starters a lot of schools can provide tutors or after hours study options which can help you get ahead. Yes it takes extra commitment but if you are passionate about your direction then it will definitely pay off. Plus there are many other support mechanisms in place. A good place to start is your school’s careers counsellor. He or she will be able to set up a plan which will help you achieve your goals. And remember, if you do happen to miss the most direct route to your chosen career, there are plenty of other ways to get into it.
I’m worried that I’ll never succeed in anything. What should I do?

First things first, you need to put the thought out of your mind that you’ll never succeed at anything. All you need to do is pick a direction and start. You’ll find that the journey might be pretty windy, but the good news is that you can succeed, at every stage of the process.

If you concerned that it’s simply unrealistic for you to aim for something you know can’t immediately be achieved, look to get into a related field, and then aim to move across later. Plenty of people do it! The most important thing is to be persistent, find an area of passion and pursue it.

Resources Industry

Isn’t the resources industry mainly to do with digging big holes in the ground?

There’s a whole lot more to it than that. From renewable energy, to offshore oil and gas, the resources industry is huge. Check out our page on the resources industry to learn more.
Does the resources industry have a future when everyone is trying to stop using fosil fuels?

Because the resources industry is just as much about renewable energy as it is fosil fuel driven energy, the answer is absolutely yes. Renewable energy is a really exciting field to get involved with – there’s so much to be learnt and it’s really just in its infancy, so you can get in now and watch it grow!

Parents

When should my child start thinking about a career?

Interests and careers can begin in primary school, but your child will have to make some subject choices in Year 9 and 10 that will have an impact on their options for further study. Whilst they don't have to decide on a career, they do need to understand that they are making choices that will impact their future career choices.
How can I help them to explore different career options?

You can help them to understand what their options actually are, and how make good decisions about their subjects. You can help them to find out more information about their career interests, encourage them to secure part-time work, and to attend career events.
My child has a broad range of interests and skills, but can’t decide on a career direction. What should she do?

It’s hard to sit back when your child shows no particular inclination on a career. It’s important that they feel that they own their career decisions so that they will connect and commit to a path. However, it could be that they need some help to focus their interests. The What’s possible? Quiz may help them to self-identify their personality, and working through some exercises to determine what their interests, skills and values will help them to identify a career path.

ICT/Electronics

Electronics – isn’t that just fiddling around with circuits and stuff?

This is only one facet of an enormous industry. From the creativity and ideas of the Research & Development team, to the marketing of the end product, it’s amazing how many different careers are involved in this industry. So if you do find technology fascinating, why not consider working right in the middle of it!

Study

Should I study an undergraduate degree or just try to find a job?

Not everyone is suited to going to uni - in fact some of the people in our videos preferred to go into an apprenticeship and studied more practical skills via their local TAFE. Yet they love their careers as much as the people who went to uni to get a degree, because it's what interest them. Investigate the careers you're interested in further to see what study you need and how best to get there.
When should I select a major?

Generally your first year at uni involves taking foundation subjects to give you the first building blocks toward your degree or diploma, and there will be other subjects you must do to receive your degree. However you will be given a certain number of choices in your first two years that will enable you to start focusing on your major. Start investigating the curriculum for the degree you're interested in and see what subjects you need to take and which ones you can choose.