General Advice
- Get out of your comfort zone!
- "Get comfortable being uncomfortable"
- "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you"
- Try new things:
- It will help you find what you like and don't like.
- It will help with finding where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
- Figuring out what you don't like is equally as valuable as figuring out what you like
- Networking is the best tool for opening doors and new opportunities...
- "It's not what you know, it's who you know"
Extracurricular Activities
Examples:
- Work experience
- A part time job
- Volunteering
- Sports
- Special interest clubs
- Recreational activities
Benefits:
- Time management
- Develop social skills
- Working in teams
Subject Selection
General advice:
- You should try to select subjects that you already like, think you might like, or subjects that are aligned to your strengths
- Taking a diverse range of subjects is also recommended to help you figure out what you like and (equally as important) what you don't like
Tips:
- Keep an open mind
- Don't rule out options too early
- Make the most of opportunities in front of you
- Speak to as many people, from a wide range of industries, as possible to help gain a sense of other professions out there
- If you have the option to accelerate a subject - Take it!
Questions to ask yourself:
- What am I good at?
- What are my strengths?
- What haven't I tried that I think I might enjoy?
- What industry sectors interest me?
- If known, does my desired pathway after school require any prerequisites? (Be it subjects, experience or otherwise)
Career Pathways
Don't know what you want to do after school?
- That's ok...but you need to keep exploring possible pathways.
Already know what you want to do after school?
- Firstly, that's great that you have some ideas on what you'd like to do!
- Don't close yourself off to other options and pathways.
- Keep an open mind.
Advice
- Go to as many Uni / Tafe open days as early as possible (Years 9-11).
- Ask adult family / family friends about their career pathways and what their job entails.
- Speak to your school's Career Counsellor for tailored advice.
- Consider completing aptitude testing (identify your strengths & understand what careers they best align to).
Hard & Soft Skills
Hard Skills (Technical Skills)
Measurable job specific skills and technical knowledge (usually acquired through formal education/training):
- Computer literacy
- Software development
- Problem solving
- Analytics & data analysis
- Writing ability
- Marketing
Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills)
Abilities related to how you work and interact with others:
- Time Management
- Communication
- Teamwork & Leadership
- Creative Thinking & Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Emotional Intelligence
Future Trends
My 2-cents on what I see as key macro-societal trends, that will create significant business & employment opportunities.
Green & Clean
- ESG, Climate Change (Decarbonisation) & Sustainability
- Plant based
- 'Better for you' consumption.
Digital Consumer
- Widespread adoption of social media, smartphones & internet.
- Consumers connected and comfortable with engaging in digital offerings.
- Accelerated through coronavirus pandemic.
Wellness
- Mental wellness
- Aging populations
- Forming & reconnecting with 'community'