Work Experience
Work experience is an invaluable opportunity for students to explore career possibilities. When a student completes a work placement, they are developing employability skills, building their professional network, and often developing their confidence and independence.

If you are a Year 10-12 LJBC student who wants to participate in a work placement, please get in contact with our Careers Department, and we will support you.

Callum Year 12 Carpentry Work Placement
What is your work placement?
I work in a family-owned carpentry business. We do work on people’s houses, such as installing doors, patios, and pantry fit-outs.

How often do you work/what are your work hours?
I go out on placement every Thursday, and we start on site at 7am, so that’s an early start. I have also been able to make this work as my paid part-time job in school holidays, which is great.

What type of work tasks do you do?
I do anything that is helpful to my boss. For example, I set up the site in the morning and pack away in the afternoon. I cut wood to the required length, treat the wood by sanding, painting or varnishing it. I am also able to help install structures such as doors or patios.

What is the opportunity providing to you?
Being on work placement is letting me learn what it is like to be a carpenter. I’m learning what's involved in the trade and the skills required.

What do you want to do next? Where do you want this work experience to lead you?
Being that I’m in Year 12, I hope to start my apprenticeship next year. Once I’ve finished my apprenticeship, I would like to work FIFO for a few years, probably for a mining company. I want to do this so I can earn as much money as possible to be able to then start my own carpentry business. I also want to invest in property. So, I have big plans!

Sophie Year 12 Veterinary Work Placement
What is your work placement?
I work with a Vet who owns her own mobile vet business. We go to people’s homes to see their pets, and we travel almost anywhere in the northern suburbs.

How often do you work/what are your work hours?
I go to placement every Tuesday. I usually start at about 8am and we finish visiting patients by around 2pm.

What type of work tasks do you do?
I love being able to help with the handling of the animals - giving the pets their treat after they have had their vaccination is the best part. I also help with getting the area ready for the vet to examine the pet. I’m able to observe all the interactions the vet has with the customer and their pet.

What is the opportunity providing you?
It is great to be able to see and hear everything the vet is doing. She explains everything to me as she is going, and this is helping my understanding immensely. It's great to learn hands-on what it's like to work as a vet. I definitely know that I want to work with animals in the future. As I’m not qualified, I clearly can’t advise the customer when we're with their pet, but I can ask the vet any questions when we're back in the car. This is invaluable because it helps me understand so much more about what is happening to the animal and what the vet thinks might need to be done next in this situation.

What do you want to do next? Where do you want this work experience to lead you?
I’m in Year 12 now so my plan for next year is to first take a gap year. I really want to travel. My first stop is Koh Tao Island in Thailand. I love to dive, and I want to get my Dive Master Ticket. I’ll be able to see the amazing animals in these pristine waters. After my gap year, I’ll do my studies. At the moment, I think it could be Veterinary Science, which is a 5-year degree. However, if not veterinary, it will definitely be something related to animals.