Careers & Transition
Te Whare Rapuara
Our Vision
Tō mātou tirohanga
The Careers and Transition Department provides students with careers and course advice services and access to facilities and resources to maximise their career decisions and further study options. The overall focus of career education at Wellington Girls’ College is to assist all students to make informed decisions about their future education, training and work pathways, within and outside college.
The Careers and Transition whare is easily accessed in T20.
Our Team
Tō mātou kapa
Kaye Johnson
Tertiary Liaison, Course Advice, Subject Choices, Careers Advice, Hall of Residence Applications, Scholarship Assistance, Studylink Information
Wendy Caseley
STAR Co-ordinator, Gateway Co-ordinator, Course Advice, Subject Choices, Careers Advice, Job Vacancies, Job Application Assistance
Rebecca McGuinness
Gateway Teacher, Course Advice, Subject Choices, Careers Advice, Gap Year & Student Exchange, Spirit of NZ Co-ordinator, Trades Academy Assistance
rebecca.mcguinness@wgc.school.nz
Megan Keenan
Course Advice, Subject Choices, STEM Opportunities, Careers Advice & Overseas Universities
Siti Sulaiman
Scholarship References, Tertiary Application References
Janet McCallister
Common Confidential References for Halls of Residence, Testimonials
Careers Events
Ngā kaupapa mahi e haere ake nei
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Jun 26
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Jul 01
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Jul 01
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Jul 15
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Jul 22
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Jul 31
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Jul 31
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Jul 31
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Aug 01
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Aug 06
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Aug 06
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Aug 07
Tertiary Information
Ngā pārongo mō te whare wānanga
THE ACADEMIC STAIRCASE
Certificates:
Certificates are the first stage in academic study and are offered at some Universities and Poytechnics as well as many private providers. Certificates are usually one year long and typically can be entered with level 1 literacy and numeracy or for some courses completion of Yr 12 is required. Certificates can also be used to staircase into some Diploma programmes or Bachelor degrees providing you pass with excellent results.
Diplomas:
Diplomas are between one and two years long and can provide students with a qualification or they can be used to staircase into Bachelor degrees. Diplomas usually require a minimum of 48 level 2 credits with literacy and numeracy.
Bachelor Degree – Undergraduate:
Bachelors can range from 3 to 5 years plus. Entry to Bachelor degrees is University Entrance but many institutes have higher entry and subject specifications. See UE power point and tertiary websites for details.
Postgraduate Diplomas:
This requires a previous degree majoring in a subject or a related area of study that the postgraduate diploma is in. Some are highly specialized professional qualifications eg the postgraduate diploma in clinical psychology. Some postgraduate diplomas form the first year of a masters degree.
Graduate Diplomas:
Most graduate diplomas can be taken by students with an undergraduate degree major in an unrelated area. They provide an opportunity to change subject areas within your first degree area or in a completely different area. Graduate diplomas can be taken as a way of meeting the prerequisites for further study in a new area, or as a way of completing a “mini-degree” in a different area, enhancing your employment prospects. Some graduate diplomas, eg, the graduate diploma in journalism or social work are professional qualifications which prepare you in a specific field.
Honours Degree:
Postgraduate honours degrees entail one year of full time coursework after completing an undergraduate degree. Most honours programmes comprise a selection from 400 level courses in one subject, though most programmes give you the option of including 1 – 2 courses from another subject.
Usually students study an honours degree in the same subject they majored in for their undergraduate degree. You usually need good 300 level grades to be eligible, but prerequisites can vary between subjects.
Masters Degree:
A masters degree comprises a minimum of one or two years study and can involve either coursework or research or a combination of both. Your research is presented in the form of a thesis, dissertation or a research project. Part time study may be possible but is not automatic. Masters degrees can be awarded with either honours or distinction. Students who are making good progress can apply to transfer to a doctorate.
Doctorate:
A doctorate involves extensive, sustained and original research and study in a subject of your choice, with the results being presented in a thesis.
Your work will contribute to intellectual knowledge in your field. It is normally the highest academic qualification available and is a mark of intellectual ability, self discipline and commitment. A doctorate prepares you for an academic career in your chosen subject.
Candidates must have at least a masters or honours degree with first or second class honours or have been admitted to the university equivalent status. The minimum period of full time enrolment is two years and the maximum is normally four years.
Click on the University logos for more information
Click on the Polytechnic logos for more information
There are many Private Training Establishments in Wellington and throughout New Zealand. See Careers for advice and information.
Careers & Job Seeking Assistance
Ngā momo mahi me te āwhina ki te rapu mahi
Careers – How Can I Help Myself?
There are a number of places where you can get information about Careers.
Number one is always checking out ideas with a Careers Adviser.
You can also look for information yourself.
Making the right decisions about jobs, training and careers can be difficult. Career Services can help you and your family make sense of the huge amount of information available to you. Career Services is the government agency that provides free and independent information and advice about jobs, courses, training and careers. The Career Services website has information on over 5000 study and training options, with information on funding and scholarships. There are 670 job profiles, interviews with people doing the job, salary ranges, skills and qualifications needed and workplace demand.
Wellington JP Services
https://justiceofthepeace.org.nz/Page/Search?Location=Wellington&Surname=
Women in Trades
https://www.tradecareers.co/links
Train or Retrain
https://www.connected.govt.nz/education-and-training/
Apprenticeships in New Zealand – The Definitive Guide
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/apprenticeships.html
Oompher
https://www.careers.govt.nz/about-careers-nz/oompher/
Just the Job Career Videos
http://www.justthejob.co.nz/
Personality Test (Based on the Myers Briggs Model)
https://www.16personalities.com/
Moneyhub – What to Study
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/what-to-study.html
Top Tips for Choosing NCEA Subjects
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/top-tips-for-choosing-ncea-subjects.html
NCEA Subject Choice
https://www.careers.govt.nz/ncea-subject-choice/
Resources for NCEA Students
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/resources-for-ncea-students.html
Five Free Must-Haves for High School Students
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/school-student-freebies.html
Year 13 Leavers’ Checklist
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/year-13-checklist.html
School Leavers’ Toolkit
https://school-leavers-toolkit.education.govt.nz
Ultimate Leavers’ Checklist
https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/year-13-checklist.html
Scholarships & Grants
Ngā Karahipi me ngā Karāti
Are you looking for a scholarship or grant? Check out the links below:
Studylink & Money Matters
Hoto Akoranga
Student Loan:
The Student Loan is there to help with study costs. You may get a loan to help with your compulsory fees, course-related and living costs. You do have to pay this back.
Student Allowance:
This is a weekly payment for full-time students to help with day-to-day living expenses. There are certain criteria you have to meet to qualify, but you won’t have to pay it back.
STAR - Free & Partially Funded Courses
Whetū nga akoranga kore utu me te pūtea āwhina
STAR money is available for senior students to have learning experiences outside of school with tertiary providers such as WelTec and Whitireia and private training organisations such as NZ School of Tourism, The Learning Place, YOOBEE, Elite School of Beauty, NZ Institute of Sport etc.
It is intended that students use these experiences to explore options for their futures, to motivate themselves for successful completion of NCEA qualifications and to develop independence and confidence in undertaking new experiences as well as learning skills they may not otherwise have opportunities to learn.
STAR funding is also used to help subsidise a variety of courses such as First Aid and Barista that are very popular. Unfortunately the fund cannot fully cover the cost so a partial subsidy is applied for students wishing to do these courses.
STAR money is also available to extend our gifted and talented students with such opportunities as sitting university papers in a specific subject.
To find out about current STAR opportunities check our calendar and/or the current notices or come to see Ms Caseley, the STAR Coordinator, in the Careers and Transition Whare, which is in T20.
Gateway
Kūaha
Gateway is a fantastic way to blend conventional school study with workplace learning and experience. It is a programme for career exploration that gives students the opportunity to gain experience and credibility that can be used when applying for tertiary education and employment.
Students will:
- Learn practical industry skills and gain industry knowledge
- Gain credits that contribute to NCEA
- Have industry Unit Standards added to their record of learning where applicable
- Gain Unit Standards that can go towards a range of national qualifications
- Learn about a range of jobs available
- Develop first hand knowledge of what it is really like to work in an industry
- Become confident about entering the workforce through better knowledge of the requirements and expectations of workplaces
- Be able to make a more informed choice about tertiary study
- Work in the FlowerPot Pop Up Shop
- Volunteer
Internal and External Gateway – What is the difference?
There are different ways a student can participate in the Gateway Programme. The scheme at WGC is
designed to be flexible and to meet the needs of the student, school and employer as much as possible.
Pathway 1: Gateway Programme as a core subject – Internal Gateway
Students spend 1 day each week in a workplace/industry of their choice for approximately 8 hours/week for up to 10 weeks. A student’s timetable will dictate which day is most suitable as their workday. A student may ‘work’ outside of school hours if that is more suitable.
- Students choose Gateway as a core subject
- Submit an application to be on the Gateway programme
- Have parental support or approval to be on this programme
- All students complete Core Industry Unit Standards in their Gateway class to achieve a minimum 20 credits (does not include Flowerpot standards)
- All credits achieved counts towards NCEA
- All Y12 students must participate in The Flowerpot Pop Up Shop (They will gain 16 credits level 2 credits )
- Selected students may need to complete a Health and Safety course as part of their placement (worth 8 credits at level 3)
Pathway 2: Gateway Programme – NOT as a subject – External Gateway
Students work outside school hours either after school and/or during holiday periods. This would suit students who cannot or do not want to be out of school but want an insight into a specific career/industry area.
- See Ms Caseley to discuss suitability to be accepted on the External Gateway programme
- Submit an application to be on the Gateway programme
- Have parental support or approval to be on this programme
- Students complete Gateway Industry Unit Standards during study or own time aiming to achieve 20 credits
- Students meet with Ms Caseley regularly during their study time or lunchtime
- All credit achievement counts towards NCEA
- Students may have to complete a Health and Safety course (worth 8 credits at Level 3)
How to apply
- Contact Careers Department for further information
- Fill out an application form
Flowerpot
Poti putiputi
The Flower Pot
The creation of a pop-up shop, The Flower Pot was borne of the idea to provide as part of the Gateway programme, opportunities and real life experiences for students beyond what ‘the classroom’ or the Gateway placement could provide.
It will be hands-on learning with a high degree of responsibility and accountability but within a well-supported and managed framework. Students will gain valuable transferable skills and experience that will assist them in whatever career path they pursue.
How does it work?
There are different ways a student can participate in the FlowerPot External Gateway Programme. The scheme at WGC is designed to be flexible and to meet the needs of the student and the school as much as possible.
The FlowerPot External Gateway programme :
- Students identify an area they wish to specialize in or choose to be a FlowerPot assistant
- Students are assigned tasks and responsibilities after discussing their interests with us
- Students meet with Ms Caseley regularly at least one period each week during their study or during morning tea / lunchtime
- FlowerPot is specifically run for Mothers Day
- All credit achievement counts towards NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement)
- Students will receive written reference at the end of their rotation
- Open to Y11 – Y13 students
Skills gained by Gateway Students by being actively involved in the FlowerPot Pop Up Shop.
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem resolution
- Planning & goal setting
- Time management
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Sales, marketing and promotion
- Resolving disputes
- Meeting management
- Brainstorming
- Responsibility
- Public Speaking
- Making connections
- Networking / Social Networking
- Pricing and finance
- Budgeting skills
- Cash handling
- Simple and efficient record keeping
- Administration and using office equipment
- Using IT effectively
- Personal Productivity
- Imagination –Inventiveness
- Prepare an array of floral products
- Condition and trim the flowers and foliage for keeping them fresh
- Package and display giftware
- Purchase stock
- Stock control and inventory
- Product and shop display
Gap Year
Tau āputa
A gap year is simply a year, or even less, taken out from formal education.
This year may occur during the transition from secondary school to tertiary education, or even after completing all formal education but before entering the workforce. Regardless of when it occurs, there are many options for gap years that include travel, work or volunteering.
For an excellent overview of taking a gap year, what type of things you can do, including advantages and disadvantages of taking time away from study visit https://www.careermatters.co.nz/post/2018/07/24/should-i-take-gap-year-after-high-school
There are several organisations that can assist with overseas placements. Some of these are:
Student Exchange AU/NZ
Kaupapa whakawhiti tauira
There is a variety of organisations that provide student exchanges to a multitude of destinations world wide. These are generally for a full year or a semester with varying departure dates. This is a brilliant opportunity to learn a new culture and perhaps a new language.
Whānau as Career Educators
Whānau hei kaiako mahi
Parents and whānau are often the first and preferred choice for information, advice and guidance for young people when making career decisions. Parents and whānau ,working alongside school Career Advisors, have a positive impact on student learning and transition outcomes.
Often parents and whanau hear the word ‘career’ and think back to when they were younger it was the norm to choose a career path for life. Those days are gone.
Parent and/or caregiver engagement is an essential part of a young person’s career journey. They have the potential to influence their child’s career development, both positively and negatively.
Parents foster the development of values, attitudes, and self-awareness in teens. Young people value parental support, especially during the career decision-making process. Parents’ own experience of education can influence young people’s decisions through sharing their journey and expectations.
Parental engagement, in partnership with the school, is essential in supporting learning and career-related activities. In contexts where there is a high level of parental support, young people are better able to develop their career management competencies, which support career and learning choices. Feel free to speak to your school’s career educator for support around helping your teen.
CATE provides a collection of resources to help you support your young person on their career journey. This includes tips on how to talk to your teen about careers, understanding NCEA and subject selection and understanding tertiary pathways, among other topics.