Employment & Career Guidance: In Honor Reykjavik 2015

[Mars II]

Any web designers who aren't too pricey out there? My penniless daughter needs a website.

squarespace.com It's crazy easy you don't need to know anything about html, css or js. You can sign up to it for free as well without credit card details check it brah.

My website was made on squarespace just to save time because if I code something my self I'll never be happy with it.

 

[Maggie5]

What a fascinating and amusing thread. Fun to read when I should be working.



I've got an idea for your next one - a doco on that really, really adventurous young guy who flew planes and stuff and ended up in a small plane crash - forgot his name, but a natural hero. Don't understand why he's not an Aussie legend. must look him up.







Yes, and book me into that home.





Not an architect, but used to work in a related field. Most architects love the work, but it's hard to make a good living in the industry at times. In the hard times a lot of young architecture graduates have been forced to work for nothing just to complete their professional practise requirements for registration, which takes 2 years. It can be particularly tough during an economic downturn, especially if you're a sole practitioner. A lucky few prosper and become stars. Some have done very well out of the China boom.

Anyway, any web designers who aren't too pricey out there? My penniless daughter needs a website.

I used OzWeb, they designed, host and make changes regularly for me. Chachiandbouds.com if you want to check it out. Costs me $99.00 per quarter.

 

[Snag Breac]

I've heard squarespace.com is good for building your own website, never used it myself though

squarespace.com It's crazy easy you don't need to know anything about html, css or js. You can sign up to it for free as well without credit card details check it brah.

My website was made on squarespace just to save time because if I code something my self I'll never be happy with it.

I used OzWeb, they designed, host and make changes regularly for me. Chachiandbouds.com if you want to check it out. Costs me $99.00 per quarter.

Thanks, lads and lassies. I'll get her to explore all of the above.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Thanks, lads and lassies. I'll get her to explore all of the above.

I've also created a couple for work on Wix. I know very little about website creation, but work and clients are very happy with what I put together. Very easy to use.

 

[NT.Thunder]

It might be my time to join the discussion, and see if I can gather some perspectives of others to potentially help in my decision making and to make my decision a more informed one.

My education background is a bachelor of business in marketing.

And my work has been/presently is in marketing and admin in the tertiary education sector, with also some background working in the non-profit sector.

I am strongly considering completing a masters in teaching (primary) at Melbourne/Monash/Deakin with the intent to become a primary school teacher. The reason being, I'm looking for something more fulfilling, and something that can take me out of the mindset of clocking in, clocking out, and to do something I feel I'm getting more satisfaction out of, beyond just working purely for efficiency/accuracy as I presently am.

If there are any teachers out there, particularly at the primary level. I'd be interested in gaining some insight as to your likes/dislikes about working in the area and also how easy as a male it would be to find work in specifically the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (which is where I would choose to work as that is where I live and hope one day to have a family).

If anyone has studied a masters of teaching at Melbourne/Monash or Deakin I'd also be interested in hearing some perspectives as to what you liked/didn't like about the course/university. As all three universities are considerations at this point.

Thanks in advance.

jmac70 may be able to help

 

[jmac70]

It might be my time to join the discussion, and see if I can gather some perspectives of others to potentially help in my decision making and to make my decision a more informed one.

My education background is a bachelor of business in marketing.

And my work has been/presently is in marketing and admin in the tertiary education sector, with also some background working in the non-profit sector.

I am strongly considering completing a masters in teaching (primary) at Melbourne/Monash/Deakin with the intent to become a primary school teacher. The reason being, I'm looking for something more fulfilling, and something that can take me out of the mindset of clocking in, clocking out, and to do something I feel I'm getting more satisfaction out of, beyond just working purely for efficiency/accuracy as I presently am.

If there are any teachers out there, particularly at the primary level. I'd be interested in gaining some insight as to your likes/dislikes about working in the area and also how easy as a male it would be to find work in specifically the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (which is where I would choose to work as that is where I live and hope one day to have a family).

If anyone has studied a masters of teaching at Melbourne/Monash or Deakin I'd also be interested in hearing some perspectives as to what you liked/didn't like about the course/university. As all three universities are considerations at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Hey NM.
Teaching is certainly a fulfilling career. It really is a true vocation because the hours are long and the pay is lousy! What you will get out of it though is a true sense that you are having a positive influence on the lives of children. It is the kind of job that you never switch off from. You are always looking for ideas, trying to improve your teaching and there is endless admin. I am at school from 8am to 5pm and work at least two hours a night at home on planning and reporting. I have a Bachelor of Education so can't help you with the Masters stuff. Ask any teacher about becoming a teacher and they will ask you why? Think deeply about that and if you still feel it is right then welcome to the best job in the world.

 

[NT.Thunder]

jmac70 - thoughts on Naplan 2015?

Just got my daughters results and was very impressed, is there much to take out of this though? Only grade 3 but am interested in what the teachers actually think about it.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey NM.
Teaching is certainly a fulfilling career. It really is a true vocation because the hours are long and the pay is lousy! What you will get out of it though is a true sense that you are having a positive influence on the lives of children. It is the kind of job that you never switch off from. You are always looking for ideas, trying to improve your teaching and there is endless admin. I am at school from 8am to 5pm and work at least two hours a night at home on planning and reporting. I have a Bachelor of Education so can't help you with the Masters stuff. Ask any teacher about becoming a teacher and they will ask you why? Think deeply about that and if you still feel it is right then welcome to the best job in the world.

Appreciate the wisdom jmac70 and your perspective. At the moment I'm working to gain perspectives from as many people who are or have been in the school system. Also very interesting hearing roughly the workload and hours that need committing to the job.

I have recently enquired with a school in which I have some connections about an opportunity to sit in on some primary school classes to get a feel for what it is like from a teachers perspective as I am long removed certainly from primary education. So gaining that insight and seeing how the experts do it seems like that optimal first step if it can be achieved. It just comes down to whether I get the ok which will be the question and is what I am currently waiting on.

Regardless of whether that happens I am hoping in the latter part of the year, if I can get into a suitable school as a volunteer is to complete a Certificate of Education Support - Integration Aide / Teacher Aide. I feel that would be a suitable starting point, and something that can give me a taste for teaching young students and potentially a point of difference for later on as another skill to add to my skill set.

As for my answer to why?
The major reason I'm looking to move out of admin/marketing is because through my marketing degree I was very much trained to work in marketing strategy, and my frustration with the field is that unless you've worked in a marketing role for 10-15 years, you don't get that opportunity to be in those roles, with only the marketing managers and marketing directors getting to do that, which I'd consider the fun stuff and really where my knowledge is.
I have been told my ambition would be wasted in teaching, as I am always looking to get better at everything I do and achieve in the biggest ways possible, but ultimately after a year of thinking and reflecting, my heart is all in for teaching above all else. Ultimately I want out of an office environment and would like more freedom to do things my way and really do something meaningful and useful to society broadly and teaching and education is that area I most strongly value. I've always enjoyed being around younger people and my patience is unlimited, so assessing myself the fit feels right. I've also found those people I've been most inspired by in life have been my teachers, many of whom I've modelled myself around, seeing bits in them that I like and integrating that into myself. And hopefully I can be that positive and perhaps to some inspiring role model in the lives of young people that many of my teachers were for me over the journey.

--
One top of mind question for you that I have been wondering about over the past few days I am interested in your opinion on.

On Monday I was fortunate enough to meet over a game of chess a current university student study a phd in a particular stream of science. He is from Serbia, and in Serbia in primary school a part of their curriculum is chess. And this student was no amateur chess player, he is a 1500-2000 elo chess player he informed me, and in playing three games with him I felt that was an accurate assessment of his skill level (which in chess terms is not going to win you tournaments but is still strong).

I get the sense you know some chess as you refer to me as NM (N being short in chess notation for knight) so I would find your opinion to the following question interesting.

My question to you is whether you think primary school students would benefit from chess as part of the curriculum?

 

[jmac70]

Appreciate the wisdom jmac70 and your perspective. At the moment I'm working to gain perspectives from as many people who are or have been in the school system. Also very interesting hearing roughly the workload and hours that need committing to the job.

I have recently enquired with a school in which I have some connections about an opportunity to sit in on some primary school classes to get a feel for what it is like from a teachers perspective as I am long removed certainly from primary education. So gaining that insight and seeing how the experts do it seems like that optimal first step if it can be achieved. It just comes down to whether I get the ok which will be the question and is what I am currently waiting on.

Regardless of whether that happens I am hoping in the latter part of the year, if I can get into a suitable school as a volunteer is to complete a Certificate of Education Support - Integration Aide / Teacher Aide. I feel that would be a suitable starting point, and something that can give me a taste for teaching young students and potentially a point of difference for later on as another skill to add to my skill set.

As for my answer to why?
The major reason I'm looking to move out of admin/marketing is because through my marketing degree I was very much trained to work in marketing strategy, and my frustration with the field is that unless you've worked in a marketing role for 10-15 years, you don't get that opportunity to be in those roles, with only the marketing managers and marketing directors getting to do that, which I'd consider the fun stuff and really where my knowledge is.
I have been told my ambition would be wasted in teaching, as I am always looking to get better at everything I do and achieve in the biggest ways possible, but ultimately after a year of thinking and reflecting, my heart is all in for teaching above all else. Ultimately I want out of an office environment and would like more freedom to do things my way and really do something meaningful and useful to society broadly and teaching and education is that area I most strongly value. I've always enjoyed being around younger people and my patience is unlimited, so assessing myself the fit feels right. I've also found those people I've been most inspired by in life have been my teachers, many of whom I've modelled myself around, seeing bits in them that I like and integrating that into myself. And hopefully I can be that positive and perhaps to some inspiring role model in the lives of young people that many of my teachers were for me over the journey.

--
One top of mind question for you that I have been wondering about over the past few days I am interested in your opinion on.

On Monday I was fortunate enough to meet over a game of chess a current university student study a phd in a particular stream of science. He is from Serbia, and in Serbia in primary school a part of their curriculum is chess. And this student was no amateur chess player, he is a 1500-2000 elo chess player he informed me, and in playing three games with him I felt that was an accurate assessment of his skill level (which in chess terms is not going to win you tournaments but is still strong).

I get the sense you know some chess as you refer to me as NM (N being short in chess notation for knight) so I would find your opinion to the following question interesting.

My question to you is whether you think primary school students would benefit from chess as part of the curriculum?

Anything that engages children and allows them to apply numeracy concepts to real life situations is the best way to teach and learn. So my answer is yes. Your rationale for becoming a teacher is inspiring and your strategy of volunteering is a great idea. You will need to get a Working with Children permit first if you have not already done so. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

Anything that engages children and allows them to apply numeracy concepts to real life situations is the best way to teach and learn. So my answer is yes. Your rationale for becoming a teacher is inspiring and your strategy of volunteering is a great idea. You will need to get a Working with Children permit first if you have not already done so. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.

Why does this give me visions of you taking the kids to the casino while you sit at the bar & have a beer?

 

[jmac70]

Why does this give me visions of you taking the kids to the casino while you sit at the bar & have a beer?

I always run a book for the kids during the Melbourne Cup carnival. They learn about probability and I earn some handy money.

 

[Knightmare]

Anything that engages children and allows them to apply numeracy concepts to real life situations is the best way to teach and learn. So my answer is yes. Your rationale for becoming a teacher is inspiring and your strategy of volunteering is a great idea. You will need to get a Working with Children permit first if you have not already done so. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.

Thanks for your response jmac and I will contact you if any questions about teaching arise over the coming weeks.

I do have a current working with children. So that won't be a problem.

 

[NT.Thunder]

Anything that engages children and allows them to apply numeracy concepts to real life situations is the best way to teach and learn. So my answer is yes. Your rationale for becoming a teacher is inspiring and your strategy of volunteering is a great idea. You will need to get a Working with Children permit first if you have not already done so. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way.

Thanks for your response jmac and I will contact you if any questions about teaching arise over the coming weeks.

I do have a current working with children. So that won't be a problem.

I'm just going through this working with children permit now actually, if that's what they call an Ochre Card in NT. I need to go to Gove to the High School for no longer than 60 minutes to quote a job and apparently need to have this to set foot on site.

 

[jmac70]

I'm just going through this working with children permit now actually, if that's what they call an Ochre Card in NT. I need to go to Gove to the High School for no longer than 60 minutes to quote a job and apparently need to have this to set foot on site.

That is the world we live in unfortunately.

 

[Kappa]

In spirit of this thread, started day 1 of my dream job today . Put off applying for it for ages as only the top 3% get in and I thought I had no hope... ended up somehow in !!

Just need to start waking up before midday again

 

[Vicky Park]

In spirit of this thread, started day 1 of my dream job today . Put off applying for it for ages as only the top 3% get in and I thought I had no hope... ended up somehow in !!

Just need to start waking up before midday again

Well done Kappa, and best of luck with the new job.

 

[NT.Thunder]

In spirit of this thread, started day 1 of my dream job today . Put off applying for it for ages as only the top 3% get in and I thought I had no hope... ended up somehow in !!

Just need to start waking up before midday again

So spill the beans!

Where are you working

 

[Magpie Girl]

Chilli Con Incarnate you might be able to help Knightmare with some advice re doing your Masters in Teaching

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

It might be my time to join the discussion, and see if I can gather some perspectives of others to potentially help in my decision making and to make my decision a more informed one.

My education background is a bachelor of business in marketing.

And my work has been/presently is in marketing and admin in the tertiary education sector, with also some background working in the non-profit sector.

I am strongly considering completing a masters in teaching (primary) at Melbourne/Monash/Deakin with the intent to become a primary school teacher. The reason being, I'm looking for something more fulfilling, and something that can take me out of the mindset of clocking in, clocking out, and to do something I feel I'm getting more satisfaction out of, beyond just working purely for efficiency/accuracy as I presently am.

If there are any teachers out there, particularly at the primary level. I'd be interested in gaining some insight as to your likes/dislikes about working in the area and also how easy as a male it would be to find work in specifically the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (which is where I would choose to work as that is where I live and hope one day to have a family).

If anyone has studied a masters of teaching at Melbourne/Monash or Deakin I'd also be interested in hearing some perspectives as to what you liked/didn't like about the course/university. As all three universities are considerations at this point.

Thanks in advance.

Hey mate, sounds like you are about to do what I did three years ago. Just finished term three of my first year as a primary teacher after completing the master's at Deakin. If you are looking for a job with purpose, then you've found it. Happy to answer any question I can. But be warned, you will not have the time to spend on here as much anymore.

I don't know a lot about the Monash course, but I have worked with some student teachers that have done the Melbourne course. From a few conversations I believe that the Melbourne course is better and more thorough, however it may be more onerous time wise.

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

I have been told my ambition would be wasted in teaching, as I am always looking to get better at everything I do and achieve in the biggest ways possible, but ultimately after a year of thinking and reflecting, my heart is all in for teaching above all else. Ultimately I want out of an office environment and would like more freedom to do things my way and really do something meaningful and useful to society broadly and teaching and education is that area I most strongly value.

My question to you is whether you think primary school students would benefit from chess as part of the curriculum?

Hey mate, just looking at the bold part first, I can tell you that your ambition will not be wasted in teaching. Being a reflective practitioner is essential to the job if you want to be a good teacher, and from what I gather it sounds like you are a very reflective person. It's not the kind of job where you get heaps of promotions for working well, it's the kind of job you work to get better for the benefit of the students. Being ambitious in teaching means looking at your students, and your own abilities, and working out what you need to improve to teach more effectively. There are career benefits to that of course, such as job security (School's love dedicated hard working staff) and future leadership positions, but it's not the same as a business type ambition where everyone wants to be CEO.

RE the chess question. I am no chess expert, but I can tell you I've seen quite a few primary schools that have a chess program. The kids really enjoy it and get a lot out of it. There is a whole range of personal learning, interpersonal learning and thinking process requirements in the AusVELS and national curriculum that could be taught and modelled through chess imo.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey mate, sounds like you are about to do what I did three years ago. Just finished term three of my first year as a primary teacher after completing the master's at Deakin. If you are looking for a job with purpose, then you've found it. Happy to answer any question I can. But be warned, you will not have the time to spend on here as much anymore.

I don't know a lot about the Monash course, but I have worked with some student teachers that have done the Melbourne course. From a few conversations I believe that the Melbourne course is better and more thorough, however it may be more onerous time wise.

Hey mate, just looking at the bold part first, I can tell you that your ambition will not be wasted in teaching. Being a reflective practitioner is essential to the job if you want to be a good teacher, and from what I gather it sounds like you are a very reflective person. It's not the kind of job where you get heaps of promotions for working well, it's the kind of job you work to get better for the benefit of the students. Being ambitious in teaching means looking at your students, and your own abilities, and working out what you need to improve to teach more effectively. There are career benefits to that of course, such as job security (School's love dedicated hard working staff) and future leadership positions, but it's not the same as a business type ambition where everyone wants to be CEO.

RE the chess question. I am no chess expert, but I can tell you I've seen quite a few primary schools that have a chess program. The kids really enjoy it and get a lot out of it. There is a whole range of personal learning, interpersonal learning and thinking process requirements in the AusVELS and national curriculum that could be taught and modelled through chess imo.

Terrific insight Chilli Con Incarnate. Really appreciate your views.

How did you find the course at Deakin? That may very well be the course I complete next year as I prefer the sound of the Deakin course to the Monash course in going through the subjects. In talking to those who have studied at Deakin and Monash the feedback I have received is that Deakin for education is better of the two unis.

Since my previous post I've started two days a week volunteering as a teachers aide/teaching assistant at a local primary school. Even from that brief few visits I'm already enjoying the work, enjoying the school I'm at, and most importantly enjoying the students and the opportunity to work with them and help them with their learning.

I will over the coming months prior to starting a Masters in Teaching (Primary) also complete a short certificate through Monash Uni to become qualified to work as a teachers aide/teaching assistant (mostly as a time-filler in the interim and to create a further point of difference).

I expect my ambition will be along the lines of your thinking where I won't be satisfied with my performance and will always look for ways to continue to improve with the view to help my students become the best they can be.

 

[Chilli Con Incarnate]

Great to see you on the front foot and loving it KM. Sorry I am at teacher's games atm so haven't been checking.

I found Deakin's course to be a little disappointing to be honest. There are lots of gaps in the course that aren't covered. I did dual strand, I found that the primary units were much better. They cover as much as they can. It tended to be the core units that disappointed. Ultimately you learn most of your craft on placement, so it is good you are in a classroom already.

Once you start get yourself a copy of Bill Rogers classroom management book. I only discovered it recently and wish I had it earlier. The man is a god of education.

From what I hear a lot of education courses are a bit useless, you learn more in the classroom where you can see theories in action.

 

[nahnah]

Any advice for a finance/business student, in terms of looking for employment in that area after finishing a batchelors degree?

 

[Knightmare]

Any advice for a finance/business student, in terms of looking for employment in that area after finishing a batchelors degree?

Apply early.

Graduate positions you need to start applying for on the various graduate websites from March.

Beyond simply graduate positions if unsuccessful apply during your final year and don't wait till after you finish your final exams would be my other recommendation.

Finding work for most is a process and takes time so get applying and familiarising yourself with where to apply and how to apply early.

 

[wicksy]

Started another thread before seeing this.... Will post in here and close off the other.

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Hey guys,

I need some advice that spans multiple topics. I thought I would put it all in the one thread and those who care to discuss can.

So, I've been presented the opportunity to interview for a job in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night.
If I was to be successful, it would be life changing to say the least but there is part of me that is filled with trepidation.


1. I'm fairly comfortable with the interview process and am confident that I know enough to make a good impression. But we'll see. There's sure to be some curly's thrown in and i'm not great at thinking on my feet.

2. If I was to be successful, it could mean moving to the UAE in the next 2 months. Major to say the least given i've lived my 30 years in a radius of 150kms.

3. My wife is currently pregnant and will be entering her 3rd trimester at the time I leave. There's a very good chance that she won't travel with me (not worth the risk) and will give birth in Australia. It's our first and the thought of not being there is hugely distressing.

4. Moving to a country which follows strict Sharia law makes me nervous. Neither of us are racist and neither of us party (very small drinkers at the best of times) but the penalties of very small misdemeanors are real.... really real!!

5. To gain non residence tax, I believe we need to cut ties with everything we have built in Australia. Sell the house, sell the car, sell the furniture, offload the family pets (devastating), withdraw from all insurances etc etc.... This is a scary one.... What if things don't work out over there? What if Australian laws are changed to effectively exile us (unlikely but who knows in the current climate)?


Does anyone on this board live over there or been in a similar situation?
Do you have suggestions? Advice? Do's and Do not's?

As I mentioned, the opportunity is once in a lifetime and if all went successfully, it could set us up for a life time..... i'm just worried it comes with significant risk.

Can't wait to hear thoughts. Cheers
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