Career Focus

Career conversations matter

As Year 10 students approach the important process of subject selection for Senior School, it’s natural for families to feel both excited and a little uncertain. Whether your child is considering an ATAR pathway or choosing APEx (non-ATAR) subjects, one thing is clear: having open career conversations and exploring future opportunities together can make all the difference.

Recent findings from the OECD’s The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation highlight that many teenagers feel unsure about what lies ahead, with almost 39% unclear on their future jobs - twice as many as a decade ago. At the same time, teens’ aspirations frequently do not match the realities of the modern workforce. 

Research shows that when families talk openly about careers, education, and different pathways, students are more likely to:

• Feel confident about their choices

• Discover a broader range of opportunities

• Set achievable goals and make informed decisions about subject selection

• Develop skills like adaptability, self-awareness, and resilience

It doesn’t matter whether your child chooses ATAR or APEx subjects. What truly matters is that they have a goal in mind, even if it is a flexible one, and a rough idea of the steps needed to get there. This vision gives purpose to their studies and helps them see how their choices, skills, and interests connect to real-world opportunities.

• Having a goal broadens career horizons. 

  Students who can picture their futures, even if their plans evolve, are more motivated and better prepared to take advantage of new options as they emerge.

   

• All pathways can lead to success.

  The world of work is changing rapidly. Employers increasingly value skills developed through a wide variety of experiences, not just exam results. Whether your child pursues university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or immediate employment, having a plan and support makes all pathways valid and rewarding.

• Ask open questions: “What are you interested in?” “What kind of problems would you like to solve?” “What work environments appeal to you?”

• Share your own career journey – the twists, turns, and lessons learned.

• Explore together: Attend career expos, talk to people in different jobs, or arrange job shadowing for a day.

• Reinforce that it is okay not to have all the answers now. Career pathways are flexible and can change over time.

Year 10 subject selection is just one step in your child’s journey. As the Careers Advisor, I encourage you to use this time to talk, listen, and dream together. We are here to help with guidance, resources, and connections to employers.

Let us work together to broaden horizons, set goals, and make sure every student feels empowered to take charge of their future, no matter which path they choose.

Mrs Sharan Tagore

Associate Dean of Teaching & Learning