Assessment Task 3

My Career Preparation
Subject: Personal Learning Plan (PLP)
Teacher:

Assessment Conditions
• Draft due date:

• Final due date:

• Assessment length: Approximately 500 words

• Submission details: Students to submit a folio of evidence to the assessing teacher.

Purpose
• To understand and explain the selected capability or capabilities (UC1).

• Identifying and exploring personal and learning goals and developing strategies to achieve
them (DP1).

• To develop the selected capability or capabilities relevant to achieving goals (DP3).

• To review personal and learning goals and reflecting on the effectiveness of strategies to
achieve them (RL1).

• To review the development of the selected capability or capabilities, and how this helps to
achieve goals (RL2).

Description Process
Work through the Assessment Task 3: You can use this booklet for Task 3 or access
Career Preparation, completing Introductory the PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint
Activities and the Assessment Task. presentation has instructions and links to all
resources required to complete this Task.
Introductory Activities will help you to
develop understanding about skills that are Some activities have icons on the page.
required and valued by employers, explore
possible future career pathways, explore = Tips and Advice Guide
resources that assist with career exploration
and pathway planning, complete a Resume (This can be found at the end of the booklet.
and reflect on your learning through the It gives you examples and other useful
Career Preparation Report. pointers).

The Career Preparation Report will = Assessment Task

consolidate your learning from Task 3
and demonstrate reflection on the chosen (When you see the red star on the page,
capability or capabilities in relation to your this means the activity is part of your final
possible career pathway. Assessment Task).

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 1

Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation

Assessment Design Criteria

Understanding the Capabilities
UC1 Understanding and explaining the selected capability or capabilities.

Developing Personal and Learning goals

DP1 Identifying and exploring personal and learning goals and developing strategies to achieve them.
DP3 Developing the selected capability or capabilities relevant to achieving their goals.

Reviewing the Learning

RL1 Reviewing personal and learning goals and reflecting on the effectiveness of strategies
to achieve them.
RL2 Reviewing the development of the selected capability or capabilities, and how this helps
to achieve their goals.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 2

Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation

Understanding Developing Personal Reviewing

the Capabilities and Learning Goals the Learning
Clearly explains Effectively develops the selected Reviews the development of the
understanding of the capability or capabilities relevant to selected capability or capabilities,
selected capability achieving his or her goals, in well- with insights into how this helps to
A or capabilities, planned, insightful, and/or creative achieve his or her goals. (RL2)
with insightful and ways. (DP3)
detailed examples.
(UC1)

Explains Develops the selected capability or Reviews the development of the

understanding of the capabilities relevant to achieving his selected capability or capabilities,
selected capability or her goals, in a way that is mostly with some ideas about how this helps
B or capabilities, effective, and generally organised or to achieve his or her goals. (RL2)
with some detailed creative. (DP3)
examples. (UC1)

Gives some Develops the selected capability or Reviews the development of the
explanation of capabilities relevant to achieving his selected capability or capabilities,
what the selected or her goals, in a way that has some with an idea about how this helps
C capability or effectiveness, and some organisation to achieve his or her goals. (RL2)
capabilities are, with or creativity. (DP3)
brief examples. (UC1)

Gives some basic Develops an aspect of the selected Describes own participation in an
description of the capability or capabilities, with partial activity to develop the selected
selected capability effectiveness. The relevance to the capability or capabilities, with a
D or capabilities, with goal(s) may not be clear. (DP3) vague link to goals. (RL2)
limited examples.
(UC1)

Attempts to Attempts to develop an aspect of the Gives limited responses to questions

describe at least one selected capability or capabilities, about own participation in an activity
capability and give with limited effectiveness or to develop the selected capability
E an example. (UC1) relevance to the goal. (DP3) or capabilities. Makes a superficial
statement about a selected capability
in attempting to identify a link to
a goal. (RL2)

Assessing Teacher Comments Final Grade

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 3

Career Exploration Report
Part 1
Write approximately 100 words (1 – 2 paragraphs) in response to the following questions:


1 Explain your thinking about future career pathways prior to undertaking the
Assessment Task 3: My Career Preparation introductory activities.

2 What careers have you considered?

3 What actions have you taken to explore your options?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 4

Career Exploration

Personal Attributes
Personal Attributes are qualities that are considered valuable personality traits
in the workplace.

These are qualities that we may have learned through our upbringing (which may include our
cultural values and background), family or friends, school or even by undertaking personal
development activities and courses.

Mostly, the Personal Attributes will be qualities that you probably have naturally and that you
don’t need to think about or remind yourself to do.

However, they are also attributes that we can and do develop through our life experience and
our interactions with others.

13 Personal Attributes that also contribute to overall employability are:

1 Loyalty

2 Positive self-esteem
3
Adaptability
4
Enthusiasm

5 Sense of humour

6 Honesty and integrity

7
Motivation

8 Personal presentation
Unsure about the meaning of any words?
9 Ability to deal with pressure Look them up in a dictionary, or use a
10
Commitment dictionary app on your phone. You can
also look up dictionaries and meanings
11
Reliability of words on Google.
12 Common sense List the words you don’t understand
along with their meaning in the table
13 Balanced attitude to work and home life
on the next page.

Tip: When you have looked up the

meaning of a word you don’t know,
it can be very helpful to write a
sentence using the word in context.
This can often aid our understanding.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 5

Career Exploration

My Notes - Vocabulary

Word Definition Thesaurus Using the word

(words that are similar and in context
different)
(ie: using the word
accurately in a sentence)

EXAMPLE: From 6 definitions Synonyms Dictionary.com gave

Synchronise available, I chose: (same meaning): several examples of
(using Dictionary.com Agree; be the same; occur sentences and I chose
mobile app) simultaneously; coordinate these 2 examples:
1. T
 o cause to indicate Antonyms Synchronise your watches.
the same time, as one (opposite meaning): They synchronised their
timepiece with another. Mismatch; disagree; differ steps and walked on
2. T
 o cause to go on, move together.
operate, work, etc,
at the same rate and
exactly together.
3. T
 o occur at the same
time or coincide or
agree in time.
(This is taken directly from
the MyFuture website. You
could also paraphrase this
definition – that is, put it
into your own words.)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 6

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 1: Personal Attributes

Tick the circles below against your top 3 Personal Attributes.
Personal Attribute 1
Give an example of how you have demonstrated each of
these attributes in the speech bubbles.

Loyalty
Give an example:
Positive self-esteem

Adaptability

Enthusiasm

Sense of humour

Honesty and integrity

Motivation

Personal presentation
Personal Attribute 2
Ability to deal with pressure

Commitment

Reliability
Give an example:
Common sense

Balanced attitude to work and home life

What is one Personal Attribute that you could develop

or develop further? How could you achieve this?

Personal Attribute 3

Give an example:

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 7

Career Exploration

Employability Skills
What are Employability Skills?

Follow these steps and find out!

• Go to the weblink below

 http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/careers/
employabilityskills1.pdf

• Here you will find a PDF document called: ‘Careers and Transition: Employability Skills’
(the PDF version is included in the ‘Tips and Advice Guide’)

• Read the document and answer the 3 questions below

• Read the definition of each Employability Skill

• Now choose at least one job (a job that you know something about) and complete the
‘Employability Skills Sheet’

Using your own words, explain what Employability Skills are? (2 – 3 sentences)

How many employability key skills have been identified?

Circle or highlight the correct number.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

List the key skills:

In Australia, what framework recognises the key employability skills?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 8

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 2: Employability Skills

1 Use the table below to explore each skill.


2 Give a brief definition (meaning), example or explanation of each skill.

3 Name one occupation where each skill might be particularly relevant (identify a different

occupation for each skill).

Employability Meaning / Explanation One occupation where Briefly explain why

Skills / Example this skill is particularly you think this skill
relevant is relevant to this
occupation
Communication

Team Work

Problem
Solving

Initiative and
Enterprise

Planning and
Organising

Self-
management

Learning

Technology

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 9

Career Exploration

Transferable Skills
Transferable Skills are skills that you have developed through a variety of diverse experiences.
This could be through experiences such as jobs that you have done, volunteer work,
supporting a family member with health needs or helping to care for siblings, sport, hobbies
and school experiences.

Transferable Skills are skills that are useful in different situations – they are skills that you have
developed in one environment and can be applied in another. In this case, we are referring to
employment situations. Transferable Skills are usually general and they can be applied to a
number of different situations.

For instance, you might have had a casual job at Coles as a Register Operator. Later, you apply
for a job working at a Service Station.

Some of the similarities and differences might be:

Position Duties include Position Duties include

Using cash register Using cash register

(Work Survival Skills) (Work Survival Skills)

Handling money Handling money

(Work Survival Skills) (Work Survival Skills)

Packing shopping bags Packing shopping bags

(Work Survival Skills) (Work Survival Skills)

Maintaining the register area and Service Maintaining the register area and
Register equipment (Work Survival Skills) Station equipment (Work Survival Skills)
Operator Attendant
Providing customer service Providing customer service
(Communication Skills & Human (Communication Skills & Human
Relations Skills) Relations Skills)

Following Work, Health and Following Work, Health and

Safety policies and procedures Safety policies and procedures
(Work Survival Skills) (Work Survival Skills)

Re-stocking shelves Re-stocking shelves

(Work Survival Skills) (Work Survival Skills)

This table shows that specific skills used to perform one job can be applied directly to
the other job.

What is one task or duty that would not be transferable from one of the jobs in the example
to the other?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 10

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 3: Transferable Skills

Here is a list of Transferable Skills. You can find different lists on the internet or in career
resources. Some are more detailed and specific than others. However, the main skills are the
same. Depending on the areas of work that you pursue in the future, you will find that new
Transferable Skills emerge.

For instance, if you do training to become a Bank Teller, you will develop higher level skills
and proficiencies in managing money than you did when you were a Register Operator.
So, our Transferable Skills evolve over time through new learning and experiences.

Go through the Transferable Skills Checklist over the next few pages and identify the skills
that you are confident you could apply in different situations, those that you do not currently
believe you can demonstrate and the skills that need improvement.

Below is a list of five broad skill areas which are divided into more specific job skills:

1 Communication Skills
2 Research and Planning Skills
3 Human Relations Skills
4 Organisation Management and Leadership Skills
5 Work Survival Skills


Under each broad skill area, circle
yes/maybe/no beside each specific job skill.
Yes - I feel confident that I demonstrate this skill consistently
and successfully

Maybe – I think I need to develop this skill further

No - I do not think that I have developed this skill yet

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 11

Career Exploration

1 Communication Skills
The skillful expression transmission and interpretation of knowledge and ideas.

Speaking effectively yes / maybe / no

Writing concisely yes / maybe / no

Listening attentively yes / maybe / no

Expressing ideas yes / maybe / no

Facilitating group discussion yes / maybe / no

Providing appropriate feedback yes / maybe / no

Negotiating yes / maybe / no

Perceiving non-verbal messages yes / maybe / no

Persuading yes / maybe / no

Reporting information yes / maybe / no

Describing feelings yes / maybe / no

Interviewing yes / maybe / no

Editing yes / maybe / no

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 12

Career Exploration

2 Research and Planning Skills

The search for specific knowledge and the ability to conceptualise future needs and
solutions for meeting those needs.

Forecasting predicting yes / maybe / no

Creating ideas yes / maybe / no

Identifying problems yes / maybe / no

Imagining alternatives yes / maybe / no

Identifying resources yes / maybe / no

Gathering information yes / maybe / no

Solving problems yes / maybe / no

Setting goals yes / maybe / no

Finding/accessing important information yes / maybe / no

Defining needs yes / maybe / no

Analysing yes / maybe / no

Developing evaluation strategies yes / maybe / no

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 13

Career Exploration

3 Human Relations Skills

The use of interpersonal skills for resolving conflict relating to and helping people.

Developing rapport yes / maybe / no

Being Sensitive yes / maybe / no

Listening yes / maybe / no

Conveying feelings yes / maybe / no

Providing support for others yes / maybe / no

Motivating yes / maybe / no

Sharing credit yes / maybe / no

Counselling yes / maybe / no

Cooperating yes / maybe / no

Delegating with respect yes / maybe / no

Representing others yes / maybe / no

Perceiving feelings situations yes / maybe / no

Asserting yes / maybe / no

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 14

Career Exploration

4 Organisation Management and Leadership Skills

The ability to supervise direct and guide individuals and groups in the completion of tasks
and fulfillment of goals.

Initiating new ideas yes / maybe / no

Handling details yes / maybe / no

Coordinating tasks yes / maybe / no

Managing groups yes / maybe / no

Delegating responsibility yes / maybe / no

Teaching yes / maybe / no

Coaching yes / maybe / no

Counselling yes / maybe / no

Promoting change yes / maybe / no

Selling ideas or products yes / maybe / no

Decision making with others yes / maybe / no

Managing conflict yes / maybe / no

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 15

Career Exploration

5 Work Survival Skills

The day-to-day skills that assist in promoting effective production and work satisfaction.

Implementing decisions yes / maybe / no

Cooperating yes / maybe / no

Enforcing rules yes / maybe / no

Being punctual yes / maybe / no

Managing time yes / maybe / no

Attending to detail yes / maybe / no

Meeting goals yes / maybe / no

Enlisting help yes / maybe / no

Accepting responsibility yes / maybe / no

Setting and meeting deadlines yes / maybe / no

Organising yes / maybe / no

Making decisions yes / maybe / no

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 16

Career Exploration Report
Part 2
Write approximately 100 words (1 – 2 paragraphs) in response to
each of the following questions:

1 Having completed a series of Introductory Activities, how has your thinking changed?


2 How has your learning changed your thoughts about possible career choices, career
planning strategies and approaches?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 17

Career Exploration Report Part 2

3 What have you learned about yourself that you didn’t realise before?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 18

Career Exploration

Career Pathway Exploration

There are many career exploration tools and resources that you can access.
Here are some suggestions and ideas to get you started!

Find and explore these websites.

SkillsOne TV Australian
Government NEVO
Careers Info.
Job Guide

Job Outlook
UniSA

Flinders
University

SATAC
Youth Central
University
of Adelaide TAFE SA
NASSSA

“The one thing all famous authors,

world class athletes, business
tycoons, singers, actors and
celebrated achievers in any field
have in common is that they all
began their journeys when they
were none of these things.”

- Mike Dooley

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 19

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 4: Career Exploration

To get you started on your career exploration journey, have some fun by completing the
assessment at www.groper.com.au/career-test.

Gus the Groper will take you through the free assessment tool and you will generate a free
report at the end.

1 Visit the Gus the Groper website.

2 Then click the big green ‘Start the Assessment’ button. This will take you to another page.

3 Scroll down and click ‘1. Career Interests Profiler – Mini Report FREE’.

4 Fill in your details and complete the assessment.

5 The free report will be sent to you via email.

6 When you receive it, embed the report into the space provided on this slide.

7 Finally, respond to the following questions:

My Career Profile is:

The summary for this profile is:

I agree that the following 3 career examples listed in my report are accurate:

1

2

3

One career example that I did not agree would interest me was (if applicable):

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 20

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 4: Career Exploration continued

Use this page to brainstorm interests that you have, hobbies that you do, activities that you
would like to try and careers that you are/might be interested in for the future.

You can include goals from your FLTP and Assessment Task 2: Goal Setting.

Fill in as many circles as you can (there are 10 circles) and add more if you can!

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 21

Career Exploration

Introductory Activity 4: Career Exploration continued

1 Watch these career videos:

Humorous career video:

Log on to Youtube and search ‘Six Destinations: Career Choices’.

Six Destinations: Career Choices (from USA)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4SG2i1iMBs

2 Have some fun exploring careers!

It’s time for some more fun while you are thinking about the many options, pathways and
possibilities available to you. Go to www.myfuture.edu.au; click on ‘Explore Careers’ in the
menu bar; then click on ‘Explore careers using our interactive mini career explorer’.

3 Bullseye Posters:

• Think about your brainstorming session from the previous page.

What career pathways are you considering?

• Go to the following web link to access bullseye posters:


myfuture.edu.au/tools-and-resources/learning-tools-for-secondary-students/bullseye-
posters-explore-occupations-by-school-subject

• Scroll down to the ‘colour version of the bullseye poster’ list or the ‘black and white
version’ list.

• Click on your favourite subject and save the poster(s).

• Select the level of training that you are considering. The careers in the poster are identified
in different circles, depending on how much training is needed once you have left school.
Level 1 is the lowest level of training required and Level 4 is the highest level of training
required. Information about what these levels are and what they mean is stated on the
bottom of each bullseye poster.

I wish to do Level training, which means that I would need to

Select 4 (or more) possible careers from the posters that you could consider doing one day at
a level of training to suit you in future. List the career names underneath:

My Possible Bullseye Careers:

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 22

Career Exploration

Focused Career Exploration and Research

Explore 2 possible career pathways in more detail.

Use one – or all – of the following websites to find the information you need:

www.joboutlook.gov.au

www.myfuture.edu.au

www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au

You might also need to access information via the TAFE, or other tertiary institutions websites
to find out all of the information that you need.

Record your answers on the Researching Your Possible Future Careers worksheets.
(Remember, you need to look at 2 possible career options).

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 23

Researching Your
Possible Future Careers
Title of Career 1

Why are you interested in this career?

Describe the typical tasks in this career.

Which subjects must you study to get into a course? (These are referred to as ‘Assumed
Knowledge/Pre-requisite subjects’ for a tertiary course.)

Which subjects would be useful to study for this career?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 24

Researching Your Possible Future Careers

Title of Career 1 continued

Do you need to complete the SACE?

Which TAFE or University course do you need to do for this career?

If you do a University course, what ATAR do you need to gain to be accepted into the course?

What is the name of the TAFE or University that offers this course?

What personal qualities/work skills are required for this occupation? (e.g. patience, problem
solving skills, team work, driving licence, white card, communication skills etc).

Which of the personal qualities listed above do you still need to develop so that you can be
successful in this career?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 25

Researching Your Possible Future Careers

Title of Career 1 continued

What wage are typical workers paid in this career?

What are the employment prospects for the job? (e.g. Is there a growing demand? Are there
few jobs?) Who employs people in this occupation?

How would this career affect your lifestyle? (e.g. night work/shift work, working hours, travel
time, health issues etc.)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 26

Researching Your Possible Future Careers

Title of Career 2

Why are you interested in this career?

Describe the typical tasks in this career.

Which subjects must you study to get into a course? (These are referred to as ‘Assumed
Knowledge/Pre-requisite subjects’ for a tertiary course.)

Which subjects would be useful to study for this career?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 27

Researching Your Possible Future Careers

Title of Career 2 continued

Do you need to complete the SACE?

Which TAFE or University course do you need to do for this career?

If you do a University course, what ATAR do you need to gain to be accepted into the course?

What is the name of the TAFE or University that offers this course?

What personal qualities/work skills are required for this occupation? (e.g. patience, problem
solving skills, team work, driving licence, white card, communication skills etc).

Which of the personal qualities listed above do you still need to develop so that you can be
successful in this career?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 28

Researching Your Possible Future Careers

Title of Career 2 continued

What wage are typical workers paid in this career?

What are the employment prospects for the job? (e.g. Is there a growing demand?
Are there few jobs?) Who employs people in this occupation?

How would this career affect your lifestyle? (e.g. night work/shift work, working hours, travel
time, health issues etc.)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 29

Career Exploration Report
Part 3
Write approximately 100 words (1 – 2 paragraphs) in response to
each of the following questions:

1 Reflect on the Capability(s) that you chose in Task 1 of the PLP. How does your Capability

relate to your career preparation? How have you developed your Capability through
Task 3 activities?

2 What are the next steps that you will take to move forward on your future career pathway?

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 30

Career Exploration

Take the First Step!

A key document that employers require is a Resume. A resume outlines your skills, experience
and achievements. Employers use this information to assess your suitability against the job
vacancy that you apply for.

A resume needs to be updated regularly. This might include your contact details, employment
details, achievements and qualifications or certificates. For example, if you complete a First Aid
Certificate make sure that you update your resume to show this.

Also look at your referee list each time you apply for a job. Can those people talk about you
in relation to that job or is there someone else who might be a more suitable referee for that
particular job?

For example, if you have 2 referees listed on your resume and they are (1) the manager at your
last job and (2) the neighbour you have been doing babysitting for. You apply for a job at a
sports store because you play sport and this is an area that interests you. Instead of putting
your neighbour as a referee, it might be more suitable to ask your sports coach to be a referee
for this particular job.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 31

Career Exploration

Write Your Resume

If you already have a resume, go to Already Have a Resume?

If not, here are 4 options to get you started!

To start creating your resume, choose one of the following options:

Go
1 to www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/resume/format and use the resume builder
(this provides a very basic format, but it’s a good starting point)

or


2 Go to the MyFuture website to create your resume myfuture.edu.au. Click on ‘Career
insight’ in the menu bar and then click on ‘How to write an effective entry-level resume’.
Look at the example resumes provided under ‘Student resume (Word)’ and ‘Apprentice
resume (Word)’ – use these as a guide if you like the format

or
3 Visit the Youth Central site at www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/applying-for-

jobs/sample-resumes-and-cover-letters (you will see that there are a variety of resume
examples that you can access, depending on your level of education, experience etc)
and use one of these formats to build your own resume.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 32

Resume
Personal Information
• Age:

• Date of birth:

• Address:

• Home phone:

• Mobile:

• Email Address:

Career Objective
Briefly state what you would like to achieve in your career in the short term and/or long term.

Education
(Currently completing Year _____ at ____________________________________ High School)

Subjects: (Insert all of your subjects and most recent term grades)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 33

Resume

Work Experience
Name and location of Work Experience:

Work Experience dates:

Duties: (Insert the main tasks you carried out on Work Experience)

Part-time Employment
(Do not fill in this section if you do not have a part-time job)

Name and location of employment

Date started – current

(Role/position)

Duties: (Insert the main tasks you do in your part time job)

Qualifications
Example: Currently completing Hospitality Certificate 1 at Elizabeth TAFE

Modules Studied: Provide food service

(Insert the details of the other modules for your course if you are doing a course)

( You could give other qualifications in this section – for example a First Aid Certificate or
White Card or details of qualifications or competencies completed)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 34

Resume

Achievements
(Insert details of certificates/awards that you received at school or out of school)

Extracurricular Activities
(Insert other activities and the relevant dates. Mention recent activities.)

Skills
(Insert names of some other IT programs that you can use)

(Insert other skills here - for eg: Can you spell accurately? Do you have good numeracy skills?
Can you express yourself clearly in writing?)

Personal Attributes
(Insert some other main personal qualities that your teachers mention in your school report
or ones from your Work Experience report eg Are you cooperative? Are you reliable? Do you
complete all work set? Are you punctual? Are you hard-working? Are you confident? Do you
work well in a team? Do you show initiative?)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 35

Resume

Interests and Activities

(Insert out of school interests here)

Referees
(Include the names of 2 referees. They should not be your relatives)

Name

Job title

Workplace Name

Workplace Address (at least suburb, state and post code)

Contact phone number

Name

Job title

Workplace Name

Workplace Address (at least suburb, state and post code)

Contact phone number

Notice that under ‘Skills’ and ‘Personal Attributes’, you can use some of the key skills that
you learned about in Task 3 (Employability Skills, Transferable Skills and Personal Attributes).

Now you can take these notes and put them into a final
resume format or you can just delete the helpful hints
in brackets from these sheets.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 36

Resume

Already Have a Resume?

If you already have a resume, you need to review it and update it:

1 Check that the formatting is consistent (ie: font size, font style, indents etc are consistent

throughout)

2 Check spelling, punctuation and grammar (you can do this in Word and it’s always a good

idea to ask someone to check it for you, too)


3 Check that the information is correct and up to date (eg: add any new experience or
certificates)

4 Check contact details for referees to make sure they are correct

5 Check with your referees to make sure that they are still willing to be a referee

6 Change referee contacts if you need to.

A Note for Everyone:

Always let your referees know when you are applying for a job and tell them what the job is
so that they can be prepared if the employer calls them.

You can also collect references (or referee statements). This is usually done in a written
format. People you have worked for, or worked with, or other people who know your skills
in a particular area can write a reference that you can put in a portfolio to show an employer
at an interview. Sometimes you will be asked to provide written references with your
application, too.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 37

More useful links
for careers
Career Information sites
Finding an Apprenticeship
www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au/Australian-Apprenticeships/Five-steps-to-finding-an-
Australian-Apprenticeship

Australian Apprenticeships
www.aapathways.com.au/Search/Industry?

Other On-line Career Tests and Learning Styles Tests

Holland type career test
www.123test.com/career-test/

Learning styles
www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

Career videos/stories
Electrical Engineering
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G94hD6VeDEE&feature=relmfu

Civil Aviation
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsz5kqyNV6E&feature=relmfu

Marketing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3UsCkbuLPI

Be Inspired Uni SA videos – successful uni students from the Northern suburbs of Adelaide

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mfOLSet2ok

www.youtube.com/watch?v=69SDEAv7FpE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlEUd515inY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z20_msIe04Y

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 38

More useful links for careers

Record your own career links here

Website Address Brief Description Purpose

E.g. www.myfuture.edu.au Has a range of general career I’m going to use some of the
tools and resources. Secondary School student
worksheets to help me think
more about what I want to do
when I leave school.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 39

Folio Checklist
When you have completed the learning activities in Task 3, use this checklist
to collate the evidence you need for assessment.

Have you proofread and edited your work carefully before submitting it? Yes No

Learning Activity Page Completed Not Not

No. Included in Folio Completed Applicable
✔ X N/A

Career Exploration Report (Part 1) 4 o o

Career Exploration Report (Part 2) 17-18 o o

Career Exploration Report (Part 3) 30 o o

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 40

Tips and Advice Guide
Example: Introductory Activity 1: Personal Attributes
Tips:

• Think of a range of possible examples. We can and do demonstrate our Personal Attributes
in all sorts of ways.

• The important thing is to give a detailed example so that you provide clear evidence of your
understanding and your ability to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

• Express your thoughts clearly so that other people can understand the example. Maybe you
will remind them of a similar situation that they have experienced, too.

• Proofread and edit your work – or ask someone to help you. If you are using the PowerPoint
version of Task 3, it might be useful to copy and paste your text from the PowerPoint into a
Word document so that you can more easily check spelling and grammar.

If I choose the Personal Attribute ‘Commitment’, my example might be:

I have demonstrated commitment to my netball club. I attend training every week and I play
every Thursday night. As a player, these commitments are requirements for being on the team
and being given court time. I also demonstrate commitment to my team by doing extra things
to support the team. When I was off for 4 weeks with an injury, for example, I did the scoring
and organised equipment for the team on training and game days instead of staying home
during my recovery. To show my commitment to the club as a whole, I always stay behind after
matches to help with packing up equipment and checking that all teams have submitted their
score cards to the umpires. I also play extra matches for teams when they’re down a player.

If I choose ‘Adaptability’ as the Personal Attribute that I could develop further, my example
might be:

A Personal Attribute that I could develop further is Adaptability. I am really good at being
flexible in situations such as match days when I’m really happy to help the coach or fill in for
another team at the last minute. However, when my normal daily routines change, I tend to
get frustrated and I’m not very productive. For example, when I have a late netball match, I go
home from school and do my homework first and then get ready for the match. Sometimes
mum has errands to run after school and before my match. When this happens, I don’t get to
do my homework before the match. When I get home from the game, even though it’s early
enough for me to do my work, I usually don’t do it. I think that I can develop this attribute by
planning a different homework schedule (for example, not scheduling homework on Thursday
nights when it’s late-night shopping and netball). I could also make myself do homework after
netball from time to time, even if mum doesn’t have errands to run, so that I handle changes to
my routines more effectively.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 41

Tips and Advice Guide

Example: Introductory Activity 2: Employability Skills

Tips:

Some ways that you could explore different occupations is through research.

For example:

• look on the myfuture website

• observe people doing their jobs in your daily life (eg: going to the service station)

• think about work that you have done in the past – it doesn’t have to be paid work

• talk to family and friends about jobs that they have done, discussing how those jobs relate
to employability skills

Employability Meaning / One occupation Briefly explain why

Skills Explanation where this skill is you think this skill
relevant is relevant to this
occupation
Connect and work EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE:
with others Build the work-related Builder To build a house,
relationships needed a special team of
to achieve an outcome people are needed
within a workgroup, (for example,
or achieve goals bricklayers, carpenters,
through team based plumbers, electricians
collaborations. and glaziers).
Sometimes during the
(This is taken directly building process, teams
from the MyFuture work on the same task
website. You could or they work with other
also paraphrase this trades. At other times,
definition – that is, trades might not work
put it into your own directly together, but
words.) they all have to know
what other trades need
and they need to work
to a schedule in order
to build the house.
The builder oversees
the trades and needs
to communicate and
collaborate with each
of them so they meet
timelines and produce
a quality product.

More About: Employability Skills

The myfuture website has been used as the primary resource for this unit, as it is a specialist
resource and ‘one-stop-shop’ for information about employability and careers. However, you can
use an alternative to myfuture (such as Job Outlook), as long as similar information is acquired.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 42

Tips and Advice Guide

Tips:

• Each Assessment Task 3: Career Preparation Report section should be approximately

100 - 150 words (1 – 2 paragraphs).

• A ‘short’ paragraph is approximately 4 – 6 sentences, while a ‘regular’ paragraph is

approximately 6 – 8 sentences.

• The final collated reported should be approximately 500 words in total.

• You can check word count by cutting and pasting text into a Word document and checking
the Word Count in this program (usually you should see the number of characters in the text
on the bottom left-hand side corner of the screen).

Advice:

Spend approximately equal time on each question. Make sure that your responses are
detailed and specific, giving reasons for your answers or opinions. Use clear examples, where
appropriate. There is no ‘right or wrong’ answer: this is your journey and the report gives
you the opportunity to reflect on your learning and your thinking at this stage of your career
preparation journey.

You can go back and add to, or change, your responses to these assessment questions at any
time during the course.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 43

Gus the Groper Assessment

Prepared for

Dusty Spring

16th March 2012

E - m a i l : c o n t a c t @ g r o p e r. c o m . a u W e b s i t e : w w w. g r o p e r. c o m . a u

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 44

Gus the Groper Assessment

Dear Dusty,
Congratulations on completing the Career Interests Profiler!
This assessment calculates your interest in over 170 occupations to determine the careers and areas of study that best suit you.
Your free Mini Report contains your career profile – a broad category of careers for which you have shown the most interest.

Here is a summary of the six career profiles:

Octopus
Octopi are hands-on, practical and physically active. They enjoy working with tools, equipment
and machinery and prefer to work outdoors. They are attracted to working in a trade or technical
occupation that allows them to stay active. Examples of careers that Octopi may pursue include
Builder, Police Officer, Landscaper and Chef.

Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trouts are colourful, imaginative, creative and expressive. They enjoy designing and
producing new things, generating ideas and using their intuition. They are attracted to careers in the
arts, media and entertainment industry. Examples of careers that Rainbow Trouts may pursue include
Actor/Performer, Graphic Designer, Journalist and Architect.

Seal
Seals are independent, analytical and inquisitive. They enjoy diagnosing and solving problems,
conducting research and thinking logically. They are attracted to careers in science, engineering and
information technology. Examples of careers that seals may pursue include, Computer Programmer,
Environmental Scientist, Mechanical Engineer and Surveyor.

Dolphin
Dolphins are warm, social and approachable. They enjoy helping, teaching and counselling others and
are caring and compassionate when dealing with people. They are attracted to careers that involve
working with people, children or animals. Examples of careers that Dolphins may pursue include
Psychologist, School Teacher, Fitness Instructor and Veterinarian.

Marlin
Marlin are energetic, influential and persuasive. They enjoy leading and managing others, being
entrepreneurial and taking control. They are attracted to careers in business, management and
law. Examples of careers that Marlin may pursue include Marketing Manager, Real Estate Agent,
Lawyer and Events Manager.

Sea Turtle
Sea Turtles are organised, structured and detail oriented. They enjoy working with
written records and numbers in a planned, orderly way and prefer an office-based
work environment. Examples of careers that Sea Turtles may pursue include
Accountant, Personal Assistant, Government Policy Analyst and Economist.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 45

Gus the Groper Assessment

Your Career Proile is:

Seal
Summary
You are independent, analytical and inquisitive. You enjoy diagnosing and solving problems,
conducting research and thinking logically. You are curious and able to concentrate for long periods
of time. As a seal, you prefer to work alone or in small groups. You are attracted to careers in
science, engineering and information technology.

Activities that you may enjoy:

• Conducting scientific experiments
• Developing computer programs
• Assessing land and property information
• Designing machinery and equipment
• Analysing DNA samples
• Researching scientific theories
• Providing hardware and software support
• Conducting medical research
• Producing geographic maps
• Designing electrical systems
• Studying environmental impacts
• Manufacturing chemical materials
• Solving mathematical problems
• Designing roads, bridges and tunnels
• Developing food products

Your values include:

• Analytical work
• Intellectually challenging work
• Logical thinking
• Working independently
• Conceptualising

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 46

Gus the Groper Assessment

You are seen as:

• Inquisitive
• Logical
One of these careers is your
• Independent
• Analytical
top scoring career!
• Intelligent Can you guess which one?

Careers that may appeal to you:

• Civil/Structural Engineer • Medical Scientist
• Mechanical Engineer • Environmental Scientist
• Electrical Engineer • Natural Resources Manager
• Chemical Engineer • Marine Biologist
• Aeronautical Engineer • Physicist
• Environmental Engineer • Nanotechnologist
• Mining Engineer • Agricultural Scientist
• Naval Architect • Food Technologist
• Computer/Software Engineer • Forensic Scientist
• Computer Programmer • Pharmacologist
• Computer Systems Analyst • Scientist
• Information Systems Manager • Research Officer
• Internet Architect • Zoologist
• Computer Mapping Specialist • Astronomer
• Surveyor • Geographer

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 47

Gus the Groper Assessment

Dusty, find out your top scoring career in your Complete Report!

In your complete report, you will:

• Discover your detailed results including your highest scoring careers and the number of points you
scored for each career;
• Find out the areas of study you are most likely to enjoy;
• Get an action plan to help you on your path to your next job;
• Learn about great career resources and job vacancy websites for specific industries including the
Arts, Media, Entertainment, Sports, Not-for-Profit and Small Business sectors; and

• Be inspired to pursue your passion!

See a sample Complete Report

Normally your Complete Report would cost you $59.95

If you purchase your Complete Report today, you will receive it for a reduced price of only $29.95
That’s a saving of 50%!

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 48

Gus the Groper Assessment

Plus, if you also purchase the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator, you will receive a FREE 12 page
Career Planner worth $79.95!

In your free Career Planner, you will:

• Take steps to discover your ideal career;
• Identify your key strengths and abilities;
• Create a vision and purpose for the future;
• Set your career goals and objectives;
• Learn about strategies for achieving career success; and
• Be inspired to take action and find a career that you love!

Instantly save $$$ AND get a free Career Planner worth $79.95!

To purchase your report, just follow the steps online.

If you have closed your internet browser, visit www.Groper.com.au, enter your access code at the
bottom of the page and follow the steps to purchase your report.

Your access code is: b51712024051

We hope you enjoyed your journey.

Please come back and visit us again.

Regards,

Gus the Groper

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 49

 O p p o r t u n i t y a w a r e n e s s

Employability skills

Employability Skills Framework

All young people need a set of skills and attributes that will prepare them for both employment and
further learning. The Employability Skills Framework includes what employers think makes a good
employee. The personal attributes and key skills are shown in the table below.

Personal attributes … that contribute to overall employability

• Loyalty • Commitment • Honesty and integrity
• Reliability • Enthusiasm • Personal presentation
• Common sense • Positive self esteem • A sense of humour
• Motivation • Adaptability
• Ability to deal with pressure • A balanced attitude to work and home life

Skill Element – (aspects of the skill that employers think is important.

Note – the mix and priority of these aspects will vary from job to job)

Communication • Listening and understanding

… that contributes to • Speaking clearly and directly
productive and • Writing to the needs of the audience
harmonious relations • Negotiating responsively
across employees • Reading independently
and customers • Empathising
• Speaking and writing in languages other than English
• Using numeracy
• Understanding the needs of internal and external customers
• Persuading effectively
• Establishing and using networks
• Being assertive
• Sharing information

Team work • Working across different ages irrespective of gender, race, religion or political
… that contributes persuasion
to productive • Working as an individual and as a member of a team
working • Knowing how to define a role as part of the team
relationships and • Applying team work to a range of situations e.g. futures planning, crisis
outcomes problem solving
• Identifying the strengths of the team members
• Coaching and mentoring skills including giving feedback

Problem solving • Developing creative, innovative solutions

… that contributes to • Developing practical solutions
productive outcomes • Showing independence and initiative in identifying problems and solving them
• Solving problems in teams
• Applying a range of strategies to problem solving
• Using mathematics including budgeting and financial management to solve
problems
• Applying problem solving strategies across a range of areas
• Testing assumptions taking the context of data and circumstances into
account.
• Resolving customer concerns in relation to complex projects issues

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia 2006

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia, 2006

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 50
 O p p o r t u n i t y a w a r e n e s s

Employability skills

Initiative and • Adapting to new situations

enterprise • Developing a strategic, creative, long term vision
… that contribute to • Being creative
innovative outcomes • Identifying opportunities not obvious to others
• Translating ideas into action
• Generating a range of options
• Initiating innovative solutions

Planning and • Managing time and priorities- setting time lines, co-ordinating tasks for self &
organising with others
• Being resourceful
… that contributes
to long and short • Taking initiative and making decisions
term strategic • Adapting resource allocations to cope with contingencies
planning • Establishing clear project goals and deliverables
• Allocating people and other resources to tasks
• Planning the use of resources including time management
• Participates in continuous improvement and planning processes
• Developing a vision and a proactive plan to accompany it
• Predicting - weighing up risk, evaluate alternatives and apply evaluation
criteria
• Collecting, analysing and organising information
• Understanding basic business systems and their relationships

Self • Having a personal vision and goals

management • Evaluating and monitoring own performance
… that contributes • Having knowledge and confidence in own ideas and visions
to employee • Articulating own ideas and visions
satisfaction and • Taking responsibility
growth

Learning • Managing own learning

… that contributes • Contributing to the learning community at the workplace
to ongoing • Using a range of mediums to learn - mentoring, peer support and networking,
improvement and IT, courses
expansion in • Applying learning to 'technical' issues (e.g. learning about products) and
employee and 'people' issues (e.g. interpersonal and cultural aspects of work)
company operations • Having enthusiasm for ongoing learning
and outcomes • Being willing to learn in any setting - on and off the job
• Being open to new ideas and techniques
• Being prepared to invest time and effort in learning new skills
• Acknowledging the need to learn in order to accommodate change

Technology • Having a range of basic IT skills

… that contributes • Applying IT as a management tool
to effective • Using IT to organise data
execution of tasks • Being willing to learn new IT skills
• Having the OHS knowledge to apply technology
• Having the physical capacity to apply technology e.g. manual dexterity

From Employability Skills for the Future, 2002

http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/publications_resources/profiles/employability_skills_for_the_future.htm

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia, 2006

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 51
 O p p o r t u n i t y a w a r e n e s s

Employability skills

Employability skills summary

Employability skills
Employability skills are the "key skills and personal attributes you need to enter, operate
and thrive in the new world of work." These are the transferable skills that we take with us
from one work situation to another, just like a tradesperson carries their toolbox.

Key skills are:

• communication;
• team work;
• problem solving;
• initiative and enterprise;
• planning and organising;
• self-management;
• learning skills; and
• technology.

Personal attributes are:

• loyalty;
• commitment;
• honesty and integrity;
• enthusiasm;
• reliability;
• personal presentation;
• commonsense;
• positive self-esteem;
• sense of humour;
• balanced attitude to work and home life;
• ability to deal with pressure;
• motivation; and
• adaptability.

(See http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/publications_resources/profiles/employability_skills_for_the_future.htm)

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia, 2006

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 52
 O p p o r t u n i t y a w a r e n e s s

Employability skills

Employability skills sheet

Job ______________________________________________________________

Very Not so Doesn't

Skill and elements of skill important important apply

Communication
Listening & understanding
Speaking clearly & directly
Writing to the needs of the audience
Negotiating responsively
Reading independently
Empathising
Speaking & writing in languages other than English
Using numeracy
Understanding the needs of internal & external customers
Persuading effectively
Establishing & using networks
Being assertive
Sharing information

Team work
Working across different ages, irrespective of gender, race, religion
or political persuasion
Working as an individual & as a member of a team
Knowing how to define a role as part of the team
Applying team work to a range of situations e.g. futures planning,
crisis problem solving
Identifying the strengths of the team members
Coaching & mentoring skills including giving feedback

Problem solving
Developing creative, innovative solutions
Developing practical solutions
Showing independence & initiative in identifying problems &
solving them
Solving problems in teams
Applying a range of strategies to problem solving
Using mathematics including budgeting & financial management to
solve problems
Applying problem solving strategies across a range of areas
Testing assumptions taking the context of data & circumstances
into account.
Resolving customer concerns in relation to complex projects issues

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia, 2006

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 53
 O p p o r t u n i t y a w a r e n e s s

Employability skills

Very Not so Doesn't

Skill and elements of skill important important apply

Initiative and enterprise

Adapting to new situations
Developing a strategic, creative, long term vision
Being creative
Identifying opportunities not obvious to others
Translating ideas into action
Generating a range of options
Initiating innovative solutions
Planning and organising
Managing time & priorities- setting time lines, co-ordinating tasks
for self & with others
Being resourceful
Taking initiative & making decisions
Adapting resource allocations to cope with contingencies
Establishing clear project goals & deliverables
Allocating people & other resources to tasks
Planning the use of resources including time management
Participates in continuous improvement & planning processes
Developing a vision & a proactive plan to accompany it
Predicting – weighing up risk, evaluate alternatives and
apply evaluation criteria
Collecting, analysing & organising information
Understanding basic business systems & their relationships
Self management
Having a personal vision & goals
Evaluating & monitoring own performance
Having knowledge & confidence in own ideas & visions
Articulating own ideas & visions
Taking responsibility
Learning
Managing own learning
Contributing to the learning community at the workplace
Using a range of mediums to learn – mentoring, peer support &
networking, IT, courses
Applying learning to 'technical' issues
(e.g. learning about products) and 'people' issues
(e.g. interpersonal & cultural aspects of work)
Having enthusiasm for ongoing learning
Being willing to learn in any setting - on & off the job
Being open to new ideas & techniques
Being prepared to invest time & effort in learning new skills
Acknowledging the need to learn in order to accommodate change
Technology
Having a range of basic IT skills
Applying IT as a management tool
Using IT to organise data
Being willing to learn new IT skills
Having the OHS knowledge to apply technology
Having the physical capacity to apply technology
e.g. manual dexterity

© Department of Education, Victoria, Australia, 2006

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Assessment Task 3 My Career Preparation 54