About
Career Development is one of the College’s three main student support services – the other two being Diverse Learning and Wellbeing. Career development refers to the lifelong process of managing learning, work, leisure and transitions at all ages and stages of life. Practitioners help people manage their careers, make occupational and study decisions, and plan career transitions.
Students receive advice and transition support from our Career Education and Development Leader, Sandie McKoy.
Sandie has worked in career development for over 16 years. She has worked as a youth case worker for organisations such as Workways and Open Family Australia, as a youth project worker at City of Wodonga, and in alcohol and other drugs health promotion at Gateway Health.
She has also undertaken work for Government initiatives such as the Jobs Pathway Program, Youth Pathways Program, and On Track Connect and worked in residential care for at risk youth. She has coordinated major youth events such as SpeakOut, held key positions on youth steering committees, mentored young leaders, and has been a member of the NELLEN Board of Management.
She offers comprehensive services to students and families, and the department has strong connections to industry, vocational and higher education institutions, apprenticeship centres and alumni.
The Careers Department encompasses:
- Curriculum development
- Tracking graduates
- Engaging with industry
- Counselling
- Upskilling staff
- Working collaboratively across teams, including case managing students
- Assessing risk and then referring to specialist support services
- Job search skill development
- Working with vocational and higher education providers, and apprenticeship centres
- Understanding current counselling theories and practice
- Marketing information to parents, staff and students across various media platform
- Developing resources
- Membership of the College’s Student Development, and Student Services teams.
Sandie uses a strength-based and hope-centred counselling approach. She is available to meet with students and their families to support their transition through school and from school to further education, employment and training. Moreover, 200+ past students, businesses and Career Champions (parents) support current students through various initiatives each year.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology/Behavioural Neuroscience), La Trobe University
- Graduate Diploma of Career Education and Development, RMIT
- Certificate IV qualifications in Training and Assessment, Employment Services, and Alcohol and Other Drugs Work
- Member – Career Education Association Victoria (Professional Membership)
- Member – Albury Wodonga Career Advisers Association
Contact
Sandie McKoy
Catholic College Wodonga
P: 02 6043 5500
E: smckoy@ccw.vic.edu.au