DUVAL High School students have fired up computers, pulled on boots and tied up aprons in local businesses as a part of the Department of Education’s work experience program.
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The year 10 students put their best feet forward to gain an insight into a variety of professions they hope to pursue as a career upon completion of their High School Certificate, including hair styling, retail, business and trade.
“It’s definitely given me a good feel for the working area,” Tonii Ker-David said.
Tonii has been continuing her Tafe apprenticeship through the week at Studio 2350 hair salon.
“I already have a job here,” she said.
“With my apprenticeship I need to have a certain amount of days, so doing these work experience days here is really easy, and really helps out with my apprenticeship.”
Belle Jedlicka has worked at Reader’s Companion as she wishes to own a bookstore of her own.
She said the experience was an eye-opener in learning about working in the retail industry.
“I’m really, really enjoying it here,” she said.
Belle said there was a lot more to making a career in the retail industry than what she initially thought.
“I have been stacking shelves, which is interesting,” she said.
“I have also done a bit of designing, I designed the window display [and] have been finding books for people.”
Annie Winter, who did her experience at local eating establishment and coffee shop, The Goldfish Bowl, used the program to determine whether to venture into the hospitality industry.
She said the experience proved to her that it may not be the first path she chooses.
“I don’t necessarily want to go into hospitality in the future, but I think the experience is good to have,” she said.
“The first two days I was in the kitchen preparing food, that was pretty much it, I was prepping all sorts of food.
“Wednesday and Thursday I have been waiting and cleaning tables.”
Emily McGregor hopes her passion for fashion and the environment will lead her to a career in ethical design in the future, so she took on a week of work at the locally-owned The Rag and Trader.
During the week-long endeavour she took on multiple tasks across all areas of the industry, including stocktake, customer service and styling the shop’s display mannequins.
All students who put their hands up to try out full-time work in a professional situation agreed it was an invaluable experience in helping them decide what to do in upon graduating high school.
