Meet Graduate Certificate of Career Development alumna Louise Taylor

How did the course support your learning and professional development as a career practitioner?

The course gave me an enormous amount of knowledge about professional career development practice. I feel that, in the context of so much change in labour markets, the advent and overtake of AI and climate change and globalisation there is an increasing demand for skills and knowledge around future-proofing career choices. To a large extent the course also provided this for me personally in terms of refreshing and upskilling my research, communication and digital literacy skills as well as my content knowledge.

How did studying this course enhance your professional practice?

I feel that my skills and knowledge are greatly enhanced in the career counselling space. (There are some distinct skills that vary from personal counselling). I have also greatly expanded my use of myfuture and find that this works incredibly well with many prospective students who have really narrowed their vision of themselves, their skills and their options over time. It’s really rewarding to see people refocus on their strengths and interests and to use that as a starting point. I have also gained a greater knowledge of pathways from TAFE to university and myfuture is a great resource for this.

Is there a subject you particularly enjoyed?

I would say ‘Labour Market Information and the Future of Work’. Especially in a regional location, and in the context of Australia’s population distribution. Having the ability to locate this information and describe trends at a local level is really helpful to both prospective students who are looking at course selection and also current students who are looking forward to employment options.

What would you say to other professionals considering enrolling in the Graduate Certificate of Career Development?

DO IT! I just recommended the course to another student counsellor last week. I think that the skills and knowledge that I acquired as well as the entry into the community of practice are incredibly useful for my ongoing work with TAFE students and my own professional development.

How would you describe your overall experience as a JCU student?

I found teaching and support staff incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and supportive. My lecturers complemented each other well and the online delivery was incredibly well- coordinated. I also engaged with the career staff at JCU both as a student and a peer and found the workshops they delivered and their presentations were beneficial to me in both capacities.

I gained a huge amount of knowledge and skills, both theoretical and practical, from this course. I can’t imagine any course that could have been more valuable to me in “bringing it all together” and enhancing my ability to support TAFE Queensland students in the fast-changing world of work and lifelong learning.