Where to find a job? Berwick area VIC

[shaunkaren]

I have just completed a degree in the UK in Psychology and have now got the opportunity to use those skills. I was doing voluntary work with families and young children whilst studying for the past three years and would like to get a paid job doing similar work or possibly working in a school/ the community with special needs children and their families.

We are based in Berwick and ideally I would be looking for a part tme job to give time for the family (chores!!!!) I am not sure where to go/what job title is the one I am looking for/ expected salary or anything!! Anyone with any helpful website addresses or places to contact will be much appreciated.

Thanks Karen

[moving2melbourne]

Hello You, how are you settling in that lovely big house?
The first thing you could do with doing is sorting out a Working With Children Check (WWC) you will find most places will not touch you until you have one in place, or they will expect you to get one within ex amount of weeks. Once you have it they last around 5 years. Her eis the link to getting this and more info: About the Check - Working with Children Check

Not sure what exactly you would prefer to do, but sometimes volunteering over here can help you get a foot in the door. There is currently a position available with Camp Australia, I am not sure if your qualifications would match but have a look through: Careers
I know a few who have had no childcare qualifications and have been put through the training through them direct and are now quite high up in the company. There is one in Berwick and also Beaconsfield.

Also have a look at the Pyschxchange for jobs PsychXchange : Job Search
Casey hospital just around the corner from you as a CAMHS it may be worth keeping an eye open here: Careers in Mental Health - Mental Health Services - Victorian Government Health Information, Australia and here: Southern Health On-line Recruitment System
Good luck hun. Enjoy the BBQ today.

[wanderer]

As for jobtitle, you could have a look at A-Z Occupations List - Australian Skills Recognition Information and you'll probably come across general ones of community and welfare workers.

www.jobsearch.gov.au might be worth a look too and then even a trip into Dandenong to see who is doing the unemployment for the region.

Dandenong used to be something of a regional stand alone outer city before the suburban sprawl kind of grew all around it and all the way out to Berwick, Beaconsfield and Pakenham and north and south as well but it still does have many of the regional services.

[Petals]

To actually work as a psychologist you have to do honours and then a PHD. My daughter has a psychology sociology degree and her friend went on to the do the fulll thing and is a cllinical psychologist which the hospitals usually employ. She now works part time in a doctors surgery. Unfortunately the bachelor degree does not get much in the way of employment, have to go and do other courses at Tafe etc, my daughter did a Graduate Diploma in Secondary teaching.

There are so many people with this degree everyone seems to do it and therefore its pretty competitive out there. My daughter is also half way through a Bachelor Degree in Social Work but I think she has decided not to do that now as its very a very taxing job.

Have a look at the job specifications, degrees and diplomas are required for everything here.

[shaunkaren]

Hi
Thanks to one and all, glad I got my degree before I came out then!!! I will look into some of those options during the week and once the kids are settled into school I can start exploring the options. Actually not bothered about extra study (although was hoping for a year off!!) as planned to do a Masters in something related. Phd may be pushing it though, I don't fancy becoming the oldest student in town LOL!

I will crack on and get the working with children check asap and that should help get a foot in the door.

Thanks again

Karen x

Kate the BBQ was great, just can't remember anyones names - there were too many people there!!!

[starlight7]

You could also look at social work jobs- often they will accept psych trained graduates and even pay more for them. Try 'the Age' on a Saturday, Community section.

[shaunkaren]

I have been toying with the idea of training as a social worker - just wanted to check out the reputation they have over here and whether they are respected or not (as in the UK). Also need to be aware of stress levels as have young family and don't want to compromise things by being a stressed out pain in the you know what!

Karen x