Being Flexible
The Future of Employment.
When I was asked to write about employment from the perspective of a student in their final year of high school I wasn’t sure where to start.
Hi – I’m Becca Barnett, currently at Rangiora High School in Year 13 in 2022. My favourite subjects as Accounting and Biology, I also do Maths, English, Law and Economics, and I’m planning to go to Otago University to do a BSC/BCom in Zoology and Accounting. I am President of the RHS Leos Club (junior Lions), play in the first XI hockey team, horse polo team and are part of the house choir. Outside of school I am a member of Rangiora Players theatre group and sing at local events like the Colour Festival. I love animals, horse riding and also have a younger sister at RHS.
School offers a lot of career opportunities to find out what we might want to do – the Employment Expo is great with companies and universities attending to give us options. Personally however I believe school is more concerned about finding everyone a job and getting you through with pass marks than encouraging going to university. You are pretty much left to research universities on your own, and work out the process of applying, plus spots to university Open Days are limited.
With so many demands on teachers’ time in a large school, it doesn’t leave much opportunity for mentoring or encouraging academic students, or talking through future study options. I have had five form teachers in four years so have instead discussed universities with friends and my parents – I guess that has meant I have gained more self-reliance. It does concern me that students without these support systems who are bright may be slipping through the cracks in our school system.
We have the Gateway programme providing excellent work opportunities with practical skills for those less academic; I would like to see a similar programme to encourage those who do want to study further.
Thinking about the future beyond university, I’m not 100% sure what I will end up doing – I know I want to earn money! Jobs are changing fast, with technology making some human roles redundant, while new jobs especially in IT are developing fast. I’m positive that I will be able to find a job involving the areas I enjoy doing, it just might take some time.
What I would love to see at school is more information about universities, how to apply, perhaps a visit from a local lecturer or grad student and more places at Open Day visits.
I think it is important to do some work experience as a student, and to work your way up when you become full time. For example I am working as a kitchen hand at a restaurant, washing dishes is not something I enjoy, but with experience I hope to be promoted to a front of house position. I don’t expect to walk into the perfect job after uni and am prepared to start at the bottom.
It’s crucial to have a good CV, so ask an experienced person to give you some tips and focus on your skills, not just your experience. Babysitting means you are patient and good with children, working at a market is customer service and money handling – get creative! Volunteering is a great way to gain more skills, gain valuable connections and it is really rewarding.
I’ve chosen to do courses of study that I enjoy but also that may lead me to better earning opportunities, so keep that in mind. Right now I would love to be an interior designer, but don’t think I have enough life experience to earn money in that field, and it is something I can pick up later. Having a degree shows that I can commit to learning, and will also build my critical thinking skills. One of my teachers retrained from a position as a Disc Jockey (DJ) – you have lots of options in life.
In the future I believe people will still travel overseas to earn better money, however I think that while there are still discrepancies in pay for women and different races, it is my opinion it is generally fairer in NZ. Staying flexible will be the key, being able to adapt to changing circumstances, like we have seen over the past few years.
If I could give advice to my younger self it would be to have a basic plan for Year 11, even when you are in Year 9/10. Work out your strengths and what you enjoy, and start thinking about where you would like to be at the end of school. In the end being happy is more important than money, if you are not sure keep studying, get a degree or qualification and you can change later on.
I’m looking forward to leaving high school and having more freedom to live my life. University will give me enough structure and motivation to keep going, while letting me learn how to “adult”!
Good luck to everyone this year whether you are aiming at a job or future study – have a plan, and be ready to change.
Written by
Becca Barnett
Year 13 Student at Rangiora High School
