Career counsellor

Alison Fankhauser is Director of Courses and Careers at Haileybury.

What has been your experience of schoolies week?

I have two children who have experienced schoolies. My daughter went to Lorne four years ago and last year my son went to Byron Bay. Many Year 12 students discuss their plans for schoolies with me and it looms large in their minds in their final year. I suggest they:

• talk to previous Year 12 students
• keep dates for Extra Requirements (interviews, auditions etc) in their diary
• keep their parents in the picture
• confirm their bookings as early as possible

What general advice do you have for young people heading off to schoolies holidays?

Be mindful that many tertiary institutions have already set Extra Requirements to be completed during the schoolies holiday period. If you don't meet the requirements, you might be ineligible to be selected into the course. The requirements and due dates are published in the VTAC Guide and include auditions, special application forms, interviews and tests.

If possible, meet these requirements before you leave for schoolies holidays.

Make the most of this awesome opportunity to talk to others from different schools about their experiences and thoughts for the future. It's amazing how much you can learn about part-time jobs, government services, accommodation and tertiary courses from others your own age.

On a personal note, arrange for people you know and trust to look out for you and be prepared to do the same for them.

What's your advice for schoolies wondering what to do after year 12?

Confusion about what to do after Year 12 occurs for many reasons, including a lack of knowledge of options, poor decision-making skills, and a belief that the road to success must be direct and fast. An unwillingness to compromise or commit to a course of action also causes stalling.

Remember that the decisions you make now are not always as vital as you might think they are. As you progress through your career there will be many opportunities to review your goals and modify pathways.

Also, most people are able to succeed in and be satisfied with a number of jobs after completing one of many training options. It helps to talk to people currently employed in your areas of interest or to students enrolled in tertiary courses you are considering.

Consider options that will allow you to merge a number of your skills, interests and personality traits, or at least allow you to manage this further down the track. Seeking assistance from a professional careers counsellor and holding a positive view of the uncertainty ahead will make the decisions easier.

What if their parents want them to do something different?

All of you need to be able to talk through their concerns. Often it helps to seek input from a professional careers counsellor to make certain accurate information is being discussed.

The workplace and tertiary institutions have changed dramatically and many myths are held by both parents and students.

Willingness to compromise on both sides is necessary; as is an understanding that the opportunity to transfer between courses exists but is not guaranteed. There is also the opportunity to defer from most tertiary courses whilst trialling some alternative pathway.

What if they change their mind?

It's reasonable and wise to review your plans once exams are over and you've had time to build on self- knowledge and workplace awareness. Research the options thoroughly and establish as best you can your suitability for the new plan.

Discuss this with a number of people including your parents, careers counsellor and others with accurate, up-to-date information. Don't rely on hearsay.