Blog

The Debate about the ATAR – By a migrant mum and career coach

There is a huge debate going on, in the media, regarding the ATAR the student ranking process for entry into higher education courses. Indeed, quite a number of school Principals are calling for the ATAR to be scrapped. Indeed, in Victoria, Carey Grammar Principal, Jonathan Walter, in The Age newspaper, states that; “The ATAR is […]

What happens in private career counselling for students?

This first new post on the Karen Your Career Coach & Associates new website, is for parents of secondary school-age children. It helps to explain the reasons why a private professional career counselling process can help YOU, the parent, to support your child, and in what ways. The timing can be important; term 2 and three of the academic year often being pivotal. Enjoy my first blog. Thank you for looking us up!

Victorian Year 12 students will receive an ATAR

Victorian students in year 12 will receive an ATAR, according to an announcement from Education Minister James Merlino. The Coronavirus effect Year 12 students across Australia have suffered the disadvantages that come from being “home-schooled” during the Covid-19 lockdowns. For sure, some schools are better equipped than others to support their students remotely. In particular, […]

Applying for university or TAFE courses for 2021

Applying for university or TAFE courses for 2021 is going to be different to previous years. It’s July 2020 and for many of us the past 5 months have felt like being in a giant washing machine, being thrown about. Everything is stop-start; topsy-turvy like never before. There are so many uncertainties. With respect to […]

Online Career Coaching during coronavirus

I am offering online career coaching during the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic. In light of recent World Health Organisation, Department of Home Affairs and Victorian State Department of Health advice, the incidence of coronavirus is rapidly increasing. “Non-essential meetings” are to be reconsidered. In light of this I am offering online services only. This is […]

What career activities should a year 9 student be involved in?

What career activities should a year 9 student be involved in? Great question and one that many parents have been asking me. A student can commence career coaching at any year level and during any term of the school year. However, this blog serves to outline the activities that I recommend for 14 to 15 […]

A decade of educational and career decision-making

Today as I reflect upon the past decade from 2010 to 2020, I realise that so many educational and career decisions have been made in my family alone, not to mention all of the various career and education decision-making that I have supported in my professional practice. I have two now adult daughters, both of […]

How do you decide on your VTAC preferences?

This is the time to decide on your VTAC preferences if you are applying for tertiary courses in 2020. This applies to both year 12 and non year 12 applicants. So, how do you decide on your VTAC preferences? And how important is it to get your preferences in order? A lot of applicants are […]

Vocational Education and Training

Vocational Education and Training, or VET, is poorly understood by both students and parents. In a recent survey it was found that: 49% of students have a good understanding of university and, 65% of parents have a good understanding of university. But, only 19% of students understand VET options and, only 27% of parents understand […]