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

Year 8 Enterprise workshop

*Due to COVID19 Young Enterprise workshops will not be running. The format for the Year 10 Options Day will be decided in the light of government guidance.

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

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

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 workshops about Labour Market Information, Enterprise and the development of key employability skills.

Choosing options event pictured above.

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 an 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. *

*This year’s programme will have to evolve in accordance with COVID restrictions. Work Experience will NOT take lace but we will provide students with information about career pathways including Apprenticeships. All Year 12 students are expected to join the relevant Google Classroom which provides links to careers based information and opportunities. There is also information about completing the Application Form for a guidance interview with our Careers Adviser.

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 mind-set 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.

Year 13 and Year 14 students are expected to join their designated Google Classroom which provides information about career pathways and opportunities including virtual placements when available. Due to current restrictions, visiting speakers and work experience are not possible, so it is essential for all students to engage with the relevant Google Classroom.

Click HERE to view the Parent's Options Booklet for KS5

Careers Staff

Parents may book an appointment with Mrs Gethin to discuss issues regarding careers and pathways. Currently, this will not be possible but parents may arrange for Mrs Gethin to contact them by phone or e-mail if they have a query about 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 Mrs Dempster and Ms Canavan with the support of our Careers Adviser 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.

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

Carlton Fisk

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

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 Information

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Year 12

Post 16

Post 16

Related Links

Links that will help students and parents research options.