Choosing a career that counts
by Kelly Stone
For 18-year-old Naomi Baker, starting a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at UniSA’s Magill campus this month is the first step towards working in a profession that counts.
With an adjusted Tertiary Entrance Ranking of 94.05, the former Valley View High School student could have chosen from a wide range of careers, but has followed her passion to study for a career with vital importance to the early years of children.
"I’ve always loved children and I’m passionate about seeing young kids learn and develop," she said.
"I’ve got five younger brothers and sisters. I’m sometimes in charge of them and I really enjoy helping out. I also take Sunday School at my church for five to six year olds every weekend and it’s great fun."
"I’m really happy I’ve gone with my passion. I like the idea of having my own class and helping them to learn, teaching them how to read and helping them to develop life skills."
Baker is among an increasing number of students who are choosing to follow a passion in an industry that is seen as putting a lot back into the community. The most popular first preference courses in 2009 at UniSA were largely from the education and health industries including Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Early Childhood Education, Health Studies, Junior/Primary Education and Human Movement.
In fact, Baker’s choice of a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education recorded a large 34 per cent increase in first preferences from prospective students.
UniSA Early Childhood Program Director Dr Victoria Whitington said early childhood education was the "place to be to make a real difference".
"The environment a young child is placed in is critical to their overall development. A career in early childhood education gives you the opportunity to not only affect education outcomes, but a person’s health and wellbeing, mental health, job prospects and their overall lives," Dr Whitington said.
"I think a lot of young people are looking to serve their community, and a career in early childhood education is an excellent way to do that."
Dean and Head of the School of Education, Associate Professor Michele Simons, said it is an exciting time for education.
"The Federal and State governments have some really positive commitments about education making a difference – the National Curriculum for Schools, the Early Childhood Agenda, and the new SACE," she said.
"I think people are becoming more aware of the vital role that teachers play in ensuring that people of all ages have access to learning opportunities which enable them to be productive citizens and make a contribution to society."
Prof Simons said the qualities people needed for teaching included flexibility, a curiosity about learning, a desire to contribute to making a difference to people’s lives, and a personal commitment to lifelong learning.
"When I speak at information sessions I talk about how people might be interested in teaching in specific subject areas, or teaching at a specific level of schooling such as middle or primary students," she said.
"That is one benefit of a career in education – it gives you so many options and it can also be a passport to careers overseas where Australian teachers are often in demand in countries like the UK.
"With a predicted shortageof teachers, which we’re already experiencing in areas such as maths, science and in regional areas, people are pausing to consider whether they can contribute."
Former Port Pirie student Liz Munday, 18, is another student who is looking forward to making a contribution to education.
Munday achieved an adjusted TER of 99.5 – the highest score you can receive – and is proud to be starting a Bachelor of Primary and Middle Teaching.
"Most people with high scores become a doctor or a physio because they can, not because they want to," she said.
"I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I grew up in Port Pirie and both my parents are teachers here, so I’m keento head back to the countryto teach."
UniSA welcomes all of its new and returning undergraduates and postgraduates to the 2009 academic year.