Are you an accidental career advisor?

Do your students ask you career related questions like:

  • What jobs does this degree lead to?
  • Where can I find degree related work?
  • How can I find a professional placement?

As the Service Unlimited framework unfolds, students expect a seamless approach to their student experience. While the Western Sydney University Career service provides professional advice, all staff can assist students by listening to, encouraging and guiding them.

Every career is built up from a myriad of experiences. There are no rights or wrongs, but there are some tried and true approaches. The information below aims to dispel typical Career Myths and provide some resources which you can use with confidence. You will be introduced to our latest online resources for staff and be given 5 ways that you can respond to students requests for advice about their career journey.

Common myths about the world of work

Our world is changing and with it our economy and the job market. Uncover some common job hunting and career related misconceptions:

  • The earlier a person selects a steady career, the better - Myth or Reality
  • There are many ways of finding out if a person might enjoy working in a particular occupation besides taking a job in that field - Myth or Reality
  • Somewhere there is a test that can tell me what to do for the rest of my career - Myth or Reality
  • During his/her lifetime, a person is likely to work in several different occupations - Myth or Reality
  • The current job market determines what career a person should choose - Myth or Reality
  • The majority of job seekers find jobs through word of mouth - Myth or Reality
  • Changing careers indicates there is something “wrong” about a person - Myth or Reality
  • There is no job security anymore - Myth or Reality

5 ways to respond to student career questions

  1. Reassure students that it is ok not know your career with certainty.
  2. Resource your students - Check out the range of career workshops available on your campus and sign up for our monthly workshop posters and event updates by emailing Kate Refalo (k.refalo@westernsydney.edu.au).
  3. Refer students to the Career Advice Hotline (Monday - Friday, 10am - 1pm, 02 4736 0522)
  4. Recommend students get some sort of degree-related experience early in their student life such as Informational Interviews, Volunteering or Unpaid Work Experience. We can help with insurance for an unpaid short work experience.
  5. Recommend that students do research for themselves on SEEK or other job boards to get a feel for the market.

Understand your students

The DOTS (Decision Making, Opportunity Awareness, Transition Learning, Self Awareness) model - can help you identify the career development stage of your student and suggests strategies.

DOTS model compass icon Questions / Statements Strategies /­ Activities to assist
Self Awareness
  • I don't know if I am in the right degree
  • I'm not enjoying my degree
  • I don't know what I want to do
  • I want to do additional study but I'm not sure what
Opportunity Awareness
  • I don't know what job I can do with my course
  • I know what I want to do but don't know how to get there - or what course to do
Decision Making
  • I've never had a job but I need one
  • I need some part time work
  • I need to get some degree-related experience
 Help to test their decisions by:
Transition Learning
  • I don't know how to find work
  • I don't know how to start the application process
  • I need to update my resume
  • I want to apply for an internship
  • I want to apply for a graduate position

Most treasured resources and services

Take home message

Every career is built up from a myriad of experiences. There are no rights or wrongs, but there are some tried and true approaches. While the Western Sydney University Career service provides professional advice, all staff can assist students by listening to, encouraging and guiding them.

Download the 2017 Staff conference poster (PDF, 3848.88 KB)