The Collective

Careers and Pathways

Mr Brett Steeples - Head of Careers and Pathways

Australian Defence Force Information Sessions

Stay informed about important upcoming Queensland and National ADF events and information sessions by visiting the ADF Defence Jobs or the ADF Facebook site.

Defence Force work experience program

The Defence Work Experience Program provides opportunities for young Australians interested in a career at Defence to gain exposure to the type of work that is available. Defence is committed to providing a national work experience program designed to:

  • demonstrate the wide variety of interesting careers available within Defence
  • ease the transition of students into the workplace
  • contribute to the development of the skills of young Australians. 

Opportunities are available for both secondary and tertiary students and you must be at least 15 years of age at the time of the placement. Click here for more information including:

  • Information for students
  • Information for parents
  • Information for educators
  • How to apply
  • Student stories

Defence Jobs websites

The Defence Jobs website is your first port of call for information about jobs with the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force. Click here to find information and links on:

  • Protecting our nation - Discover what they do and why and read about the people and technology that make it happen
  • Jobs that offer more - Explore all the financial, career and lifestyle benefits of working in the Australian Defence Force
  • Join the way you want to - There are many ways to join the Navy, Army or Air Force, and some jobs have more than one entry method. Discover the best way for you to start an exciting career in the ADF
  • Tertiary education entry opportunities - Learn about gaining a fully funded degree or joining as a graduate
  • Reserves - Find your ideal part-time role in the Australian Defence Force

2023 school leavers' guide to jobs and training

The 2023 school leavers’ guide to jobs and training has been developed by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) to provide information and resources to school leavers and senior students. The guide features industry-focused information about careers and technology including resources to assist you in considering how VET can help you put your best foot forward and reach your career goals. Consider what industries appeal to you and read about the roles and opportunities that may be on offer. Click here to access the guide.

 

Career decision making is challenging

Career decision making is always challenging. People asking you questions like “what do you want to do for the rest of your life” to “It's a REALLY important decision!”. In reality, you are not making a decision ‘for the rest of your life’''. You are making a job/study/training choice to get you started in the world of employment and money earning. A 2022 Canadian poll of young people reported that only 20% of people are still working in the field of study they chose after leaving school. Click here to read the full Canadian article.

So, that's all well and good, but how to move forward with your career decision making while still at school:

  • Start doing your research about what's out there. For starters:  
  • Talk to people and find out what they do and where they work  
    • Your parents
    • Your friends' parents
    • Your parents' friends
    • Your coach
    • Neighbour etc
  • Take up opportunities while at school:  
    • Work experience
    • Work shadowing
    • Lunchtime career meetings and presentations
    • Listen and engage during career lessons
    • See your Guidance Officer/Career Counsellor/VET coordinator for information on opportunities
  • Be in a good space:  
    • Eat well, sleep well and enjoy life
    • Manage your time well
    • Make a study plan
    • Make time for family and friends and especially YOURSELF
    • Make sure you have some fun
    • Keep things in perspective as there are many ways to get to where you want to go
    • Be resilient and stay positive even when things don't quite ‘go right’

School leavers information service

School Leavers Information Service is a service which offers young people aged 15 to 24 with post-secondary school pathway information and connects young people to qualified career practitioners for a free, 45-minute personalised career guidance session over the telephone via 1800 CAREER (1800 227 337). The service is currently available to young people until 30 June 2023 and includes resources to support a wide range of users (linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander school leavers, young people with disability or special education needs, regional, rural and remote school leavers as well as tailoring information to individuals).

Start researching scholarships now!

Universities, TAFE Queensland, private education providers, the Commonwealth and Queensland governments, some professional associations and industry groups offer scholarships. Common categories include:

  • Sporting scholarships
  • Equity scholarships for low income students, students with disability, women and First Nations peoples
  • Scholarships for specific fields of study
  • Financial hardship scholarships
  • Campus scholarships
  • International student scholarships
  • Academic scholarships.

A scholarship can help with course fees, textbooks, accommodation costs, transport and living expenses. No matter what your further education and training goals, it’s worth finding out what’s available. You can get scholarship information from:

  • Scholarship pages on University, TAFE Queensland and other education institute websites by clicking on their search tab and type in Scholarships (keep in mind they are often updated throughout the year)
  • Study Assist website
  • The Good Universities Guide
  • Your school Guidance Officer/Counsellor.

Scholarship information for the following year is generally available on University websites from Term 2.