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Attitudes towards a career path which requires a university degree could be changing as a result of Covid-19.
While no firm data is yet available, Mahurangi College Year 13 dean Catherine Johnston says many students have become “quite anxious” about the thought of going to university.
She believes that this, in part, is due to the uncertainty created by Covid, but also because students appear to want to live more in the ‘here and now’ and do not want the financial burden of a student loan.
“They want something that is more tangible and something that can be achieved more quickly,” Johnston says.
“For instance, two students last year, who were both more than capable of completing a university degree, decided very early on in the year that this was not want they wanted. They simply wanted to be ‘happy’ and have some degree of financial security. They were tired of the academic pressure and expectations that were placed on them.”
At the start of last year, Mahurangi College had 157 Year 13 students.
Of the students who left at the end of the year, 81 indicated that they intended to attend university, 14 said that they had found an apprenticeship scheme, four students enrolled in a tertiary course and one girl joined the Navy. Three students were planning a gap year so that they would be financially better equipped for university and eight students found work that did not have any training requirement.
“We have no information for the remaining students, some of whom may well be now in an apprenticeship.”
Johnston explains that the information is only based on what the students indicate at the time of leaving.
“We have no information to support this until the Ministry of Education releases their data and this is usually data from two years prior.”
Johnston, who is also the school’s careers guidance facilitator, says that traditionally, students only stayed for Year 13 if they were planning to attend university, but this had changed over recent years.
“Some students stay at school as they simply don’t feel ready to join the workforce or are reluctant to do so. But for many, it is because they are still uncertain as to what career pathway they wish to take.
“As a school, we have had to adapt to ensure that we offer pathways for all of our students. For those not planning to go on to university, this means ensuring that they are work-ready.
“We have always offered hospitality for students with an interest in that area, but we are now also fortunate to have our Construction Academy, which was established two years ago.”
The academy is intended for students with an interest in entering the trades. While the focus is on building, students also learn about aspects of electrical, plumbing, concreting and other associated trades.
They complete BCITO course work, which takes about six months off their apprenticeship. Besides offering skills and theoretical knowledge, emphasis is placed on the student’s all round work readiness by building their confidence, self-esteem and capacity to work in a team.
The students gain health and safety and first aid certificates enabling them to step comfortably into apprenticeships when they leave.
This year the academy is catering for 20 Year 12 students and 15 Year 13 students.
The school also offers the Gateway programme with 21 students enrolled in this course this year.
“We are fortunate that most of the students have managed to find work placements due to the support of our community. The students complete relevant book work, linked to their work placement, which covers a range of career options from early childhood education and retail, to building, hospitality, animal care and plumbing.
Johnston says that when giving career advice, it is important to be aware of employment trends but it is also important to treat each student as an individual and not to make assumptions.
“My role is to help students find out more about themselves and their interests, strengths and so on, and to help them to explore career pathways that may interest them.”
She says it is also very important to be mindful that many of students have higher levels of anxiety and an increasing number of students suffer from depression.
“We provide some reassurance that it is actually okay to still be unsure of what it is they want to do.
“We use the Career Central programme and students are encouraged to complete information about themselves which can then be pulled together into a CV. This platform is also used to explore career options, to do personality profile quizzes and so on. It is the starting point of any discussions I have with students.”
