Taking career notes from the pros

Professionals from around the South West gave out career advice and information at the recent Careers Breakfast at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School.

The school hosts the breakfast every year, this year bringing professionals from 15 fields including marine biology, nursing, the defence force and the fire department.

Grammar school VET coordinator Belinda Walker said this was the ninth year they had hosted the event and it had grown every year.

"It's always a spread of fields," Ms Walker said.

"We ask the students first, if there are particular industry areas they want."

The breakfast was open to Year 12 students, who elected to attend and were seated at the table of their choosing, and were able to ask the professionals questions and listen to their stories.

"Things have changed an awful lot in education," she said.

"So it's really good to have some young mentors so the kids can relate to them."

Bunbury Fire Station Officer Daryn Rowland and a team of firemen came out to talk about life in the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

"It's not a traditional pathway, there is no university or TAFE," Mr Rowland said.

"Out of us four at the table, only one wanted to be a fireman initially." Mr Rowland was a chef for 14 years prior to his life as a firefighter, stressing the importance of maturity and teamwork in the DFES.

"It's a great career but it's best to have a couple of years of life experience," he said.

"Most of us have had different careers beforehand.

"You live and breathe it."