Coming to Australia seven years ago from Afghanistan, Rocky is on track towards a bright future thanks to her school’s careers practitioner.
Roghayeh "Rocky" Sadeghi
Northern Bay College student Roghayeh “Rocky” Sadeghi came to Australia as an immigrant with her family and nine siblings in 2012.
In Rocky’s home country, she was not allowed to go school and participate in sports. She dreamed of going to school, career achievements and equality. Then her family migrated to Australia and she was finally able to go to school.
The language and cultural barriers were a challenge at first, but Rocky quickly became a school and community leader. She led Northern Bay College’s Stand Out program to tackle transphobia and bullying, and the Roots and Shoots environmental initiative. She became a member of the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) Executive before becoming an ambassador, and later became an ambassador for the Centre for Multicultural Youth.
Life beyond school
Rocky spoke about the importance of careers practitioners in schools at a recent Department of Education and Training careers conference.
Rocky's goal is to become a human rights lawyer, but she wasn't sure how to do it.
'I have just recently started Year 12, I am already stressed about what life outside of school could look like,' Rocky says. 'I am not sure whether I would enjoy what I would be doing outside of school or whether I would make the wrong decisions.'
Rocky decided to see her school's careers practitioner to talk about her concerns. 'I want to go to university, but I didn't know what to do to get there,' Rocky says.
The careers practitioner told her that there's no need to stress, and talked Rocky through the process of applying for university. She told Rocky to research the courses on offer and ATAR requirements.
'She said, "if you ever need help understanding, just come back to me",' Rocky says.
The careers practitioner also talked to Rocky about volunteering and work experience opportunities.
'She has a lot of knowledge about things we don't hear about,' Rocky says. 'It's nice to know different opportunities outside of schools, like jobs, work experience and mentoring programs.'
Rocky says that her careers practitioner was 'really helpful'.
'I learned that there’re small steps to get there - I was looking at the big picture and not knowing where to go,' Rocky says.
'I think that having careers education as a part of the mainstream classes is important, so that those students who might not see the need for careers advice can get more insights on how they can get help,' Rocky says.
'Careers education can also provide information for students who are instructed in a particular subject and are wondering how they can create a career out of it.'
'I believe that no obstacle can stop anyone from achieving their dreams if there is someone supporting them.'
Education Week: Careers
Education Week 2019 celebrates the strengths and achievements of Victoria’s government schools.
Career Education in government schools ensures students have the skills and capabilities to navigate multiple careers and meet the challenges of the changing world of work. Career Education helps students make improved career and pathway decisions to prepare them for life beyond school.
Find out more about Education Week 2019.