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What we’re talking about:

In this episode, I’m interviewing Ash who is a heavy vehicle diesel mechanic and writer.

2:14 Beginning of the interview with Ash

Ash explains that as a Year 10 student she really had no idea about what VCE was and how it worked, but she felt later on that she was lucky because the subjects that she chose based on her interests worked in her favour in terms of her final results. We discuss how understanding how VCE works can help students feel more in control and make informed decisions about which subjects to choose.

6:19 Ash’s Year 10 work experience

Ash signed up for work experience following a presentation at her school, but really had no idea what she was signing up for. She later found out that she was going to do work experience with mechanics that work on trucks rather than cars, and after initially not wanting to go, she ended up learning heaps and loving it. This experience encouraged her to learn more about becoming a mechanic and choosing a VCE VET subject that would allow her to explore what working as a mechanic might look like.

10:10 Ash’s VCE subjects

Ash chose a range of subjects that she was interested in and that challenged her, including English Language, Literature, Maths Methods, Outdoor Education, Business Management and a Certificate II in Automotive Studies. She shares her experience doing the VCE VET subject, how it worked alongside the rest of her subjects and what was covered in the subject.

14:47 Tips for VCE students

Because Ash was doing subjects she liked, she found it easier to stay committed to studying throughout Year 12, and she also knew they would lead to a career that she would enjoy. She also shares that she started her exam preparation early so that she was learning the content as well as practising good exam techniques. This meant that by the time exams came around she felt more confident and prepared.

18:58 Pursuing an apprenticeship

Ash was doing well at school and could have pursued pretty much whatever she wanted, but because of the experiences she’d had through work experience, study seminars and her VCE VET subject, she had the evidence she needed to know that pursuing an apprenticeship was the next right step for her. We talk about the misconceptions that people have around what subjects you need to do to get a high ATAR, and how you don’t necessarily have to be super “smart” or academically inclined to get fantastic VCE results.

24:35 Ash’s heavy vehicle diesel mechanic apprenticeship

Ash explains how she proactively went about securing an apprenticeship, what she learnt during her apprenticeship and what was covered at trade school in the Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Kangan Institute. She also talks about what other similar studies are available at the Docklands campus of Kangan Institute.

28:02 Ash’s experiences in her career so far

Ash has had a huge range of experiences so far, including working on diesel engines as an apprentice, working FIFO on a coal mine, and running her own business with a friend from trade school. This allowed her to work on a range of different vehicles and equipment in different settings so that she could decide what area she wanted to work in next.

31:49 Ash’s experiences as a writer

As well as beginning an incredibly busy career as a mechanic, Ash still makes time to pursue her dream of being a writer. She shares how she makes time to work on her latest manuscript, surrounds herself with a community of writers, writes opinion pieces as a freelance writer, and shares her experiences working as a mechanic and what she’s learning about writing on her blog.

Links mentioned:

Discuss the podcast and get free career counselling advice here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vcecourseandcareerchat

My website: https://www.roadmapeducation.com

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Kangan Institute: https://www.kangan.edu.au/courses/department/automotive/certificate-iii-in-heavy-commercial-vehicle-mechanical-technology-6576

Ash’s blog: https://ashleybeeby.com/

Ash’s article in The Age about her experience of choosing an apprenticeship: https://www.theage.com.au/by/ashley-beeby-p536um