UNE Career Development are successfully working with the 2017 cohort of Early Entry (EEA) students to ensure they are able to stay on track and successfully reach their career goal.

Over the past few years, the Career Development team have consulted with a significant number of EEA students as they seek assistance when they are unable to cope with the units or course that they have chosen. They are often thinking of ‘dropping out’. This highlighted a concern that many low socio economic status and other equity group students are recommended for EEA by a school careers teacher who may not have professional careers accreditation/experience or who know the student well enough to recommend them towards a suitable course for a future career.

The UNE Career Development HEPPP project has been funded for 2017 to provide careers testing for EEA students and one-on-one consultation to develop an individualised Career Action Plan.

Kate Pardy is the Careers Project Officer, and using her experience from working with the UNE Future Students Team, has been instrumental with the program implementation. All EEA students have been contacted via email and Kate is currently following up with personalised phone calls to arrange confidential and individual discussion.

The project uses accredited career testing and a narrative approach, encouraging the EEA student to set goals and plan choices that suit their wants and ability. UNE Career Development will develop a clear and relevant Career Action Plan with the student and will continue to provide support.

One of the highlights of the program is how we can assist students with their study load and give them options. Choosing unfamiliar subject content, the requirement of employment while studying and/or other factors, a student can find the transition to tertiary level academics difficult. Through consultation with the student, a recommendation to reduce a 4 unit load to 3, referral to support services and the development of an individualised Career Action Plan can assist students to enjoy their study and give them the foresight to see a definite career path. The aim of the program is to increase retention of the EEA cohort through giving professional and individualised career guidance.

If you have any EEA students that are struggling with your units, please refer them directly to our office for assistance. Our phone number is: 02 6773 2897.