Decide and Prepare
Understanding
tertiary options
Section 1
Decide and Prepare
Careers New Zealand
April 2012
Understanding tertiary options
WHAT KINDS OF
QUALIFICATIONS ARE THERE?
qualification types
Levels 7-10
degrees, graduate and
postgraduate qualifications
Levels 4-6
advanced trades, technical
and business qualifications
Levels 1-3
senior secondary education
(eg, NCEA) and basic trades
training
qualification names
bachelors,
honours, masters,
doctorates, PhDs
certificates,
diplomas,
national certificates,
national diplomas
graduate and
postgraduate
certificates and
diplomas
typical completion times
for full-time study
certificates
general, national,
graduate, postgraduate
a few months,
up to 1 year
diplomas
general, national,
graduate, postgraduate
1 or 2 years,
can be more
bachelors degrees, honours degrees
3 or 4 years,
can be 5
masters degrees
2 years
doctorates, PhDs
3 years
the meaning of words
study
training
When people talk about
study they are often
talking about learning at
an education provider,
eg, school or university.
When people talk about
training they are often
talking about learning
on the job.
But, some study courses
include on-the-job training
through work placements.
But, many workplace
training programmes
include off-the-job
study.
Understanding tertiary options
WHERE CAN I GET
A QUALIFICATION?
tertiary providers
3
8
20
38
+
wānanga
universities
polytechnics and institutes of technology (ITPs)
industry training organisations (ITOs)
hundreds of private training establishments(PTEs)
Understanding tertiary options
CAN I DO ANY
COURSE I WANT?
entry requirements vary
… from course to course and place to place.
– You might need a set number of credits in
particular school subjects.
– When there are a limited number of places in a
course, meeting the minimum entry requirements
might not be enough.
– Course providers may want to see portfolios,
experience in the workplace, evidence of
commitment or certain personal qualities.
entry to university
Example: BA in history at Victoria University
– Minimum requirement is University Entrance
– For guaranteed entry you need a score of
150 points based on up to 80 of your best credits
– For example, 10 credits at excellence (40pts),
10 credits at merit (30pts) and 40 credits at
achieved (80 pts).
• excellence=4 pts, merit=3 pts, achieved=2 pts
entry to polytech/institute
Examples from Weltec:
• Diploma in Health Psychology Level 5
– NCEA level 2 with 36 credits in three subjects.
• National Diploma in Architectural Technology Level 6
– 50 credits at NCEA Level 2, with at least 12 credits in each
of Maths, Science and English. Alternatively, applicants 20
years of age or older are welcome to apply.
– Successful completion of selected unit standards is
necessary to gain entry into the second year of this
programme.
entry to workplace training
Example: Retail modern apprenticeship
– You need to find a job in the industry and a boss
willing to train you first.
– Requires you to successfully complete 147 credits
at Levels 2 and 3 while you are working, so it
helps to have NCEA Level 1 plus literacy and
numeracy.
flexible options
There are options that allow you to continue
to explore what suits you as you go.
– These may be a good idea if you know the
broad area you are interested in but aren’t
sure what sort of job you’re heading for.
– Examples are:
a general degree, eg, Bachelor of Arts or Science
Pre-trade training, eg, plumbing
what you can do now
Think about …
Start thinking about the way
you might want to learn
once you finish school. The
tertiary study and training
options available offer you
different ways of learning.
Think ahead …
When you choose your
senior school subjects,
check out whether your
subjects will allow you to get
into the tertiary study and
training pathways you might
want to follow.
Finding
your networks
Section 2
Decide and Prepare
Careers New Zealand
April 2012
Your network is …
church group . ministers . boss
teachers . coach . team mates
neighbours . hairdresser . vet
barista . gas station guy
doctor . chemist
The people
who know
you well
The people
who sort of
know you
parents . sisters
brothers . close friends
classmates . aunts . uncles
cousins . grandparents
co-workers . fellow students
club or group members
The people
you can start a
conversation with
Often it is these people who
give you the best new leads
Networking is …
person
3
you
goal
person
1
X
person
2
X
Networking example
Jo wants to explore nursing as a career option
cousin
Jo
friend
(nursing home
manager)
doctor
family
friend
colleague
(nurse)
colleague
(nursing agency)
minister
church member
(social worker)
aunt
friend
(case manager)
Doing it right
Think about how
you can make
a good first
impression
appearance
friendliness
curiosity
honesty
Prepare yourself
to emphasize
your positive
qualities
MUST DO #1
Create a positive
impression of
yourself
People say
I’m …
I’ve had
good feedback
about …
Doing it right
You can tell
people about
what you are
looking for
without directly
asking for help.
This may
lead you to
someone who
could help you.
Decide what is
reasonable to ask
of people.
MUST DO # 2
Tell people about
your interests
and goals
How strong is
your connection?
How willing is
the person?
How much hassle
is your request?
www.careers.govt.nz
Career Kete, Decide and Prepare section, April 2012
The information on networks in this presentation is based on ideas in
Teaching Networking Skills: Paving a Way to Jobs and Careers, Aug 2008,
Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston. Downloaded December
2010 from http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=251