St Columbanus' College

Careers

Welcome to the St Columbanus’ College Careers Department. In this section you will find careers information for all year groups and parents. We endeavour to ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Careers Education is a continuous process and an important element of the College curriculum. Through the Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance programme, students work on self-assessment excercises which look at their ability, personality, interests and opportunities. This allows pupils to make informed choices in Years 10,11,12 and 13 to make the transition from leaving school to full-time employment or Further Education.

People don’t choose their careers; they are engulfed by them.

John Dos Passos

Everyone should experience defeat at least once during their career. You will learn from it.

Lou Holtz

To be successful, the first thing to do is to fall in love with your work.”

Sister Mary Lauretta

Careers Information

St.Columbanus’ College has a progressive CEIAG programme from KS3 up to Sixth form. The Careers Department also uses expert support from the Northern Ireland Careers Service, local Colleges and Universities, local businesses and parents to enrich provision.

Key Stage 3

Years 8-10

Personal Career Planning Process is at the heart of the junior school programme. Pupils evaluate themselves through self assessment exercises and by the end of the process, should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Students participate in Young Enterprise programmes including: “Your School, Your Business”, “Enterprise Masterclass”, and “Project Business”. A decision-making module is covered in Year 10 prior to subject choices. Opportunities exist for individual guidance at the Parents’ Consultation evenings and the Year 10 Options Day. Careers Advice offers impartial advice to complement the Careers Information provided about a variety of pathways.

The best career advice given to the young is: Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.

Katherine Whitethorn

Key Stage 4

Year 11

Action Planning Process – students build on the process of Personal Career Planning which commenced in Year 8. Students are given the opportunity to research potential career and job interests and relevant pathways. Students commence preparation for Work Experience and participate in the Young Enterprise Personal Economics programme.

Year 12

Participation in the Work Experience Scheme includes the completion of a Health and Safety module, prior to placement. Students complete an Application for Careers Guidance Form provided by the Northern Ireland Careers Service and throughout the year each student has a individual guidance interview with a Careers Adviser.
Advice on Post-16 choices and opportunities is given through presentations and consultation with Careers Advisers. The opportunity is given for pupils to complete CVs and Application forms.
Students participate in Learn to Earn, a Young Enterprise seminar aimed at developing awareness about future work opportunities and budgeting for success.

Click HERE to view the Parent's Options Booklet at KS4

Post 16

Years 13 & 14

At Post 16, opportunities are given for students to consider future options and build upon skills and knowledge gained in Years 11 and 12. Additional time is devoted to preparation for options post 18 ie. Further Education, Higher Education (UCAS Process), Apprenticeships and the world of work.

Information

Within the Careers Department we promote an interactive approach to developing skills and encouraging students to embrace life-long learning.

This is a forward-thinking department committed to forging a very strong link between the demands of the curriculum and the reality of the world of work. This link between learning and earning is enhanced through visiting speakers, enterprise workshops, cross curricular projects and work experience. The range of activities we offer enables all our students to learn through work, learn about work and learn for work.

Enterprise education is vital to our future economic success. A can-do enterprise mindset benefits the individual, be it in a work-related or social setting. Our collaboration with Young Enterprise ensures that all students develop awareness of innovation, risk and change, running a business, and budgeting. These workshops enhance employability skills such as team work, problem-solving and communication.

Click HERE to view he Parent's Options Booklet at KS5

Careers Staff

Careers staff may be contacted though out the school day and parents may book an appointment with Mrs Gethin to discuss issues regarding careers and pathways.

Our Head of Department, Mrs Gethin, is more than happy to meet with students to discuss their individual pathway.

The Head of Careers is assisted by one other member of staff Mrs Dempster with the support of two Careers Advisers from the Northern Ireland Careers Service. There is a designated Careers Library within the main Library housing a range of careers literature. Web resources and relevant software are available through the school network and links are signposted on the next page.

Head of Department

Mrs Gethin, B.A (Hons); PGCE(Dist); CPD Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Mrs Gethin is currently the chair of the NDALC Careers Group.

It’s not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career.

Carlton Fisk