Tertiary hopefuls need a good back-up plan

Tertiary hopefuls need a good back-up plan

Careers New Zealand advises students who missed out on places in 2012


With tertiary courses for 2012 beginning in a few weeks, Careers New Zealand is advising students who missed out on places to prepare a back-up ‘Plan B’, and is offering support and advice to help them to think about other options so that they can achieve their goals.

Careers New Zealand chief executive Dr Graeme Benny says that while missing out on a course in 2012 can certainly be disappointing and sometimes distressing for students who had a specific path in mind, it’s important not to let this deter you from continuing to pursue your goals and objectives.

“The first thing to do is recognise that there are other choices you can make. You may be confused about what to do next, orfeel that your dreams have been squashed,” says Dr Benny.

“But there are lots of ways to get to where you want to be. So, take some time to re-evaluate and explore your options. Think about how else you can get to your goal – this is your ‘Plan B’. This may take time, you may need to attack it from a different direction, do some research, but don’t give up on the dream.”

Dr Benny says that although the number of students wanting to study at tertiary level is rising, the funding available to each tertiary institution is limited and an increasing number of students will find it difficult to get fully-funded places at tertiary organisations. Some universities and polytechnics will reach their maximum number of funded students in 2012, and some will limit places in certain courses.

Dr Benny says that while your heart may have been set on a specific course of study, you may still be able to get the qualification you want through another route.

“For example, you could enrol in a course that is similar or related to your first choice. If sometime in the future you still want to do the course you had originally selected, you may be able to have your results cross-credited further down the track.”

Dr Benny also says that though a tertiary application may be declined in 2012, students may still be able to start a course in the following semester or next year.

“Talk with one of the liaison or recruitment people at the tertiary institution about your options. Find out why you didn’t get into the course, and look for ways to improve your application for next time. However, before deciding on any programme, ensure that what you are proposing to study really does contribute to you achieving your long term goal.”

Dr Benny says a Plan B could also include finding part-time work or getting work experience that will help you to explore other options.

“Ask yourself, how else can you work towards the career you want? A great way to start is looking for work experience in the industry that interests you. There you’ll meet people and make contacts, and if you excel at your job – you are much more likely to come to the attention of someone in the industry who might be able to help you find that key opportunity.

“If you do decide to look for full or part-time work, you need to know about the reality of looking for work in atight labour market and be prepared to be flexible. Employers today want keen enthusiastic, well presented, committed and hard-working employees. If you can show prospective employers that you can bring these attributes to the job, your chances of being given an opportunity will increase dramatically.”

Dr Benny says Careers New Zealand provides a range of advice and tools via phone and online that can help students explore options and prepare themselves for study and work opportunities in 2012.

“One thing to remember is that often the path to the career you want is not linear. Check out all of the options that might suit you. Get help by using the Careers New Zealand website, talking to a careers adviser, your parents and friends.”

Visit Careers New Zealand’s website www.careers.govt.nz or phone their advice line on 0800 222 733 to talk through your options with a career professional.

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