News

Unlocking career secrets for students

By Ryan Bellingham

Jul 9, 2025

St Augustine’s College Kyabram held a careers day for its Year 8 and 10 students recently. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Year 8 and 10 students from St Augustine’s College Kyabram got a glimpse of possible future careers on Thursday, July 17.

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Eleven panellists were invited to share insights into their professional lives, the pathways into their careers, the highlights of their roles and common challenges faced.

A variety of jobs were represented among the panellists, including in psychology, tennis coaching, aged care, carpentry, education, policing and mechanics.

Students from the Year 8 career elective class and Year 10 career class prepared questions for the panellists, some of whom were graduates from the college.

Constable Liam Scopelliti is a recent graduate from St Augustine’s College. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Liarna Barbagallo, who is studying to be a learning support officer, is another former St Augustine’s student. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

After all guests introduced themselves and their line of work, students were encouraged to come up with and ask their own questions.

Many asked about what the panellists studied during high school, what degrees they undertook after graduating, and how they found their job day-to-day.

The event was open to questions from students. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Carpenter Ben Napier. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Assistant director at The Loop Kate Ranson, Greater Shepparton City Council environmental health officer Stephanie Taylor and learning support officer Darcy Walsh. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Each guest took the time to provide in-depth answers to the students, and helped to give them a better idea about their roles.

The college’s Year 9 to 12 community leader Michelle Downie, who organised the event, said it was a great way to round out the school semester.

Year 9 to 12 community leader Michelle Downie. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“The students have also just gone through the subject selection process ready for next year, so choosing either their VCE pathways or electives that lead them into VCE pathways as well,” she said.

“It’s been really good for them to hear what subjects are important and what skills they need as they enter university or TAFE and trades.”

Ms Downie said the event was also developed to show students how many different career options were available to them.

Psychologist Tess Brookman. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Professional tennis coach David Starling was among the panellists. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Aged care consultant Sandi Brose. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The variety of the panellists’ experiences highlighted that career pathways weren’t necessarily straightforward, which Ms Downie said was important for students to know.

“It’s about knowing that there’s lots and lots of different opportunities and choices out there for them to make, and they’re never going to be pigeonholed into doing just one career for the rest of their life,” she said.