Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: How SJIIS Prepares Students for University and Beyond

As parents, we all share a common dream: to see our children thrive. We want them to be happy, successful, and well-prepared for the exciting yet often unpredictable world that awaits them. At St. Joseph’s Institution International School (SJIIS), we understand this aspiration and are committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not just academically prepared but also equipped with the skills, confidence, and vision to shape their futures. Our exceptional University and Careers Counselling programme is at the heart of this commitment.

From Year 7 onwards, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and career exploration with your child. Our bespoke ‘Careers’ Character and Wellbeing weekly curriculum is carefully designed to be age-appropriate and engaging, guiding students through key developmental stages.

Let’s take a closer look at how this dynamic programme unfolds:

Years 7 & 8: Discovering Passions: We ignite curiosity by encouraging students to explore their interests and dive into a diverse range of extracurricular and super- curricular activities. This foundation helps them discover what truly excites them, laying the groundwork for future specialisation. Imagine your child discovering a hidden talent for coding or developing a passion for debating – this is where it begins.

Year 9: Charting the Course: As students prepare for their IGCSEs, we provide personalised guidance on subject selection, ensuring they choose a path that aligns with their interests and future aspirations. We help them understand the crucial link between their academic choices and their long-term goals.

Year 10: Experiencing the Real World: Students gain invaluable real-world experience through work experience placements. This firsthand exposure to different industries helps them connect classroom learning to practical applications and refine their career interests. Imagine your child returning from a work placement with newfound clarity about their future path.

Year 11: Planning for Success: The focus shifts to Sixth Form, with detailed guidance on A Level subject choices and exploring potential university pathways. We help students understand the prerequisites for their chosen fields and begin researching universities that match their academic profile and career ambitions.

Year 12: Refining the Vision: Students refine their university shortlists, considering not just course content but also university culture and career prospects. Our dedicated Internship Week provides another opportunity to gain practical experience and further solidify their career interests.

“SJIIS University and careers counselling services have been invaluable in helping us prepare for university applications and summer internships. From personalised sessions on crafting compelling personal statements to building a professional LinkedIn profile, their support has been comprehensive and insightful. Additionally, they host university fairs, providing us with the opportunity to explore different choices, engage directly with representatives from top institutions and get our questions answered. It’s great knowing we have so much support to explore our options and feel confident about our next steps.”
– Yi Qian Tan (SJIIS ‘24) — University College London (UCL) Geography

Year 13: Launching into the Future: The culmination of years of preparation, Year 13 focuses on navigating the university application process, from crafting compelling personal statements to acing university interviews. We equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in university life and beyond, preparing them for the next exciting chapter.

“SJIIS university and Careers Counselling Services walk through our journey before and after university. This journey starts from finding our field of interest to applying to universities worldwide. Through the application steps, university counselling led by Ms Quennie allows us to proceed to the next step successfully by modifying personal statements, preparing admissions tests and arranging mock interviews. While working on the application, she also makes sure that we are not too stressed or tired from the application. I am grateful that I could be with Ms Quennie throughout the last year of high school and achieve successful results in my university application.”
– Kyeongryn Kim (SJIIS ‘24), Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Daejeon – Environmental Science

Beyond the ‘Careers’ curriculum, students in Years 12 and 13 benefit from a dedicated, timetabled University and Careers (UCC) class each week. Led by our expert UCC Counsellor, these sessions provide personalised support and guidance with university research, application strategies, and career planning.

“Last academic year, SJIIS University and careers counselling services provided me with invaluable support throughout my conservatoire applications. They continuously offered advice during our discussions on my plans. They guided me through the process, from refining my statement to ensuring that all necessary documentation was organised and sent to the respective schools. Even as an alumna taking a gap year, I have continued to benefit from the school’s support system. They have continued to stay in touch with me, occasionally checking in to provide encouragement and advice, reflecting the school’s commitment to offering personalised support and ongoing assistance to its students and alumni.”
– Caithleen Eng (SJIIS ‘24)

We believe that a strong home-school partnership is essential for student success. We offer regular parent communication through coffee mornings and workshops, providing valuable insights into the university application process, career trends, and how parents can best support their children.

Ready to unlock your child’s full potential?

Current students and SJIIS families are welcome to make individual appointments with Ms. Quennie Yang, our University and Careers Guidance Counsellor, at any time. Prospective students can contact our Admissions team to schedule a personalised tour and discover the SJIIS difference. Follow us on social media @thesaints.sjiim for the latest updates and insights into our vibrant learning community.