My Reflective Journal

by Brodie Bridgman

VIQ Job Recommendations

The VIQ stands for Vocational Interest Questionnaire. The process of undertaking and completing the VIQ is to answer a series of questions to determine where your interests are so that it will give me ideas for future career options. In the Interest Categories I scored the highest in Nature and Recreation. I feel this was a true reflection of me because I like working outside and doing hands on physical activities. Some of the occupations the VIQ suggested that suited me was Farmer, Farm Manager, Heavy vehicle motor mechanic because my interests are in those areas so it was spot on. Some of the occupations that the VIQ suggested that didn't suit me were teacher- physical education because I think I will have spent enough time at school by the time I'm finished and a veterinarian because I'm not keen on blood and guts. Yes overall the VIQ summary reflected the occupations that suited me, in fact it chose the career that I most want to do which is Farming either by being a Farm Manager or by Farming my own land. The occupations that I hadn't considered were working in the sporting industry and forestry, I dont think I would consider them because I would like to do something in the Farming Industry, thats where I have developed my skills and I enjoy working in that area. I didnt feel overwhelmed by the choices because I pretty much know what I what to do but it was interesting to see other job ideas that I might consider down the track. I learnt from the VIQ that there are many opportunities out there that I could try if I want to and if farming doesnt work out I can change occupations. The VIQ has helped me to understand that my chosen area of interest is the job that is best suited to me, which is farming.

Planning a Pathway

A career action plan helps you to focus on specific occupations that interest you and then make a pathway to reach that goal by planning the subjects you need to study and any further education and training needed. The two action plans I decided to Investigate was Farmer which is my dream job and one that I have already gained knowledge and skills by hands on learning and I also investigated the occupation of Heavy Vehicle motor mechanic because I did my work experience in that field and thought it would be useful knowledge on the farm. Farmer - To be a farmer no formal qualifications are needed, but it would be an advantage to have numeracy and literacy skills and on the job training is required, TAFE of SA offers certificates in Agriculture, No course requirements needed for Certificate lll in Agriculture. I have many farming skills already such as being able to put in crops and harvesting them, making hay and many others to numerous to mention. The skills I need to develop is being able to budget, creating business plans, improving my reading and writing abilities and improving my numeracy. The best way to learn new skills in farming is to do the on the job training which I do every day, as I get older I am given more responsibility and get to do all the jobs under supervision and to help make decisions. The career planner was a way of putting my job into perspective and give me ideas of what else I can learn in my chosen field.

Heavy Vehicle Motor Vehicle - Year 10 is required then a school based apprenticeship in Automotive Mechanical Technology. Numeracy and Literacy would be an advantage to have and Stage 2 Automotive Technology. Further study at TAFE specializing in Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology - Agricultural Mechanical -must be working in a related industry and provide evidence of this when you enrol. I already know how to repair minor problems on my farm machinery, like my tractor and mower. It would be good if I could learn to repair more difficult problems with agricultural machinery, it would save me a lot of time and money. The skills required for this job are gained though an apprenticeship. The TAFE Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Specialising in Agricultural Mechanical) is a 36 month part time but you have to working in that field to be eligible. I will ask the school counsellor about school based apprenticeships in this area. The Career Action Plan is a good way to find out what you need to do to be able to achieve the skills for that job. I would consider this job as an alternative to farming as I would still be working with farm machinery and vehicles.

SACE Planner

SACE stands for The South Australian Certificate of Education. SACE is a certificate you receive when you successfully complete Year 12. It is internationally recognised, and is the main way South Australian students get into TAFE and university courses in South Australia, interstate and overseas. Using the curriculum Guide I learnt that by choosing the subjects I'm interested in as well as the compulsory subjects the points add up to the 200 points I need to complete my SACE certificate. Listening to the counsellor I learnt that there are many ways to achieve SACE such as a school based apprenticeship, vet course etc. he also answered many questions. The questions I asked the counsellor were: Q. How can I get support with my work in SACE? Answer: Yes I can get support with my work in SACE. Q. How many years can I do my SACE over? Answer: You can do SACE over many years taking just a few subjects if needed. I didnt need to make any changes to my plan after the lesson but I may change it after I have my interview with the counsellor. I have spoken to my parents for advice and they have suggested I ask the counsellor and my teachers if I could do another year like this one in New Directions. The SACE planner has showed me how I can gain my 200 points without over loading me and I have now more questions to ask the counsellor when I have my interview.

PLP - develop knowledge and skills in planning for their SACE and their future beyond school. Literacy for Work and Community Life A&B - develops skills in literacy based on topics of interest
and relevance to the student.

Numeracy for Work and Community Life - basic numeracy skills. Photography Graphic Design - Practising image capture techniques to improve the visual impact of
your photography and digitally manipulating photographs to create a graphic design product Electronic Systems - develop skills and knowledge in the basic design and construction of digital electronic systems. Automotive Technology - develop knowledge and skills in automotive electrical systems development and engine maintenance. Research Project - A research topic is based on an area of interest, and a capability (literacy, numeracy, information and communication technology capability, critical and creative thinking, personal and social capability, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding) that is relevant to their research Design and Technology Digital Photography - develop image manipulation techniques using Adobe Photoshop Interactive Digital Media - develops skills in using industry level digital media development and authoring software to develop interactive digital media presentations. Visual Arts Art - express ideas through practical work using drawings, sketches, diagrams, models, prototypes, photographs and/or audio visual techniques leading to resolved pieces Geology - the science of our natural physical world. Computer Aided Design - develop knowledge and skills in computer aided drawing to produce technical drawings

Strategies
The strategies I have used to explore my career pathway has been to complete the VIQ , which gave me a starting point so I could use the job guide on Moodle to investigate what subjects were required to study for that job and where it could lead me to higher education. I also had a selection of questions for the counsellor when we had our counsellor session in Centra and the questions that were answered from the other students was very informative and helpful so when I have my one on one with him I can narrow down what I need to ask specifically to me and where I want to go. My teacher, Jacqui has given us a lot of information and answered my questions so that I was able to find the right direction. During work experience I learnt a lot about dealing with clients and the public in general from my boss Ben Bates and was able to make potential business connections for my future farming enterprise. I have learnt that dealing with the public you need to be very diplomatic and positive then you usually end up with a good outcome. My parents have been a good source of information and have helped me with gaining skills on the farm and sending me to information days about specific farming practices. The stock agents have also helped me by allowing me to bid at auctions and gain a great skill that is only achieved as an adult. I will continue to talk and ask questions from the people in the field of farming to gain more skills and information as I am studying at school.

Communication
Communication Teachers Work experience employer Counsellor Method Email, Facebook/chat , Centra, telephone , WebEx , Verbal verbal, telephone, text Centra

Employer parents
CFS Captain- Strathalbyn Friends Business Acquaintances

verbal , text, telephone

Personal Development
People skills My people skills have developed due to having to mix with the public during my work experience with Ben Bates Mechanical and I have kept in contact with him and have found second hand machinery for him to sell In his yard. If I find buyers for his machinery he as offered me a commission on any thing I can sell. Resourcefulness I have grown during the year I have started to explore my creative side with my photography which I have found I enjoy and it has allowed me to add another aspect to living and working on the farm. I have used my photos to sell machinery on the internet, and I have used them in my PLP to show who I am and what I do, a good photo says a lot. Self-confidence I have become more self confident during this year, I have been given more responsibility on the farm and am encouraged to have my say and make decisions on what needs to be done and how it is done. Work experience gave me an opportunity to get out in the public and deal with people I didn't know in a work situation.

Self-awareness I know what I want to do for the future but over the year I have learnt that I can go in different directions if something doesnt work out or I want to lean something new, and I can study and work at the same time. I have gained the confidence to work with people and if I have any problems there are people I can talk to help me.

Resilience I think I have become more resilience this year as I have tried to complete all my work, even when I get behind I still keep going and persevere until I get it finished. I have a good team of tutors and teachers that keep encouraging me and offer help when I need it.

Personal Goals I want to be a farmer, do contract hay and eventually have my own farming business. I work everyday on the farm gaining more skills and experience as well as working at getting my SACE certificate which I hope to achieve. I will think about doing more study for example a mechanics course specialising in farm machinery. At the moment I am studying for my driver's licence I already know how to drive I just need to do the theory side of it.