By JENNA HUTTON-MURDOCH
THE News welcomed Alkira Secondary College student Jenna Hutton-Murdoch into our Pakenham office last week for some journalism work experience. She was set a task to interview and write an article about some of her fellow classmates who were out and about gaining experience in their chosen field.
DURING the months of June and July, workplaces are often overwhelmed with work experience applications and requests.
Students from Cranbourne North’s Alkira Secondary College have travelled as far as Shepparton in the past to complete work experience in their chosen field.
Work experience provides students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of work through observation and participation.
Year 10 student Nethmi Ranasinghe is receiving hands-on experience at Berwick Chase Primary School.
As an aspiring teacher, she said her temporary employment as a teacher’s aide had been better than she had expected.
“I have always aspired to be a teacher, so working at a primary school has shown me how to become a teacher and confirmed that I want to choose teaching as a career,” she said.
Nethmi said the supportive environment had instilled confidence and consolidated her career choice.
“The teachers say I have the capability of being a teacher and that I made an instant connection with the kids,” she said.
“The most rewarding aspect has been interacting with the kids, I help them and they help me. I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
Work experience has proven to be beneficial to students like Nethmi with no previous experience in the working world and also to students who already have casual jobs.
Jorja Henry, who currently works in the fast food industry, said she had developed a new perspective on work life during her work experience.
Jorja said working at Cardinia Lakes Pharmacy had been an enlightening experience and a milestone in her career pathway towards becoming a psychiatrist.
“Doing work experience has really exposed me to different pathways,” she said.
“I definitely think that’s its beneficial because I’m learning relevant things applicable to my chosen career. In the short time I have been here, I have developed a strong knowledge of medicine and confidence within myself.”
Successful work experience encourages maturity and provides firsthand knowledge and understanding that assists in subject selection and future career aims.
Alkira’s work experience co-ordinator and teacher Scott Poulton encourages the independence associated with organising placement and arranging transport.
“I have been involved in Alkira Secondary College’s work experience program for the past three years. I have found that students tend to have a narrow field of view of the world prior to participating in work experience and are reluctant to explore opportunities beyond their own suburb’s borders.
“If today’s generation is to play an active role in building a better future, then career exploration is paramount,” she said.
