Are you thinking of locking in your post-high school plans but feel a little bit lost? Even though that feeling of not knowing isn’t fun, you can rest assured that it’s completely normal, and what’s more, you likely have more entry-level opportunity options than you think!
Why Your Dream Job Might Not Require a Degree
When you’re about to finish high school, it can feel like your only option is to jump straight into a university degree. After all, university is becoming more and more popular (and it’s pretty tempting to follow your friends into tertiary education too). However, if you’re not 100% sure about what you want to do, university might not be the best idea.
Degrees are incredibly time-consuming and can result in a lot of student debt. If you’re working towards a degree so you can land your dream job, this can absolutely be a worthwhile investment. However, if you’re merely choosing academia as something to do, there are likely better options out there!
Remember, if an alternative pathway doesn’t work out, you can always turn around and pursue your dream degree when you’re feeling surer about your ideal industry. It’s never too late to switch things up, but it’s best to feel 100% confident that university is for you before diving into a bachelor’s degree.
Discover Career Pathways and Opportunities
The sheer magnitude of career pathways and opportunities available to young job hunters isn’t as well-known as it should be, and we want to change that.
If university isn’t your thing, you can choose to pursue an internship, apprenticeship, work experience opportunity, or you can dive head-first into the workforce. However, before you make your decision, it pays to fully understand all your options.
With that in mind, we’ve put together mini-info packs on three different pathway opportunities. So, if you want to demystify the options for your future, keep reading!
Internships
One such alternative option is to pursue an internship in your chosen industry. Internships don’t just help you avoid thousands in HECS debt, but they also help you gain valuable skills and network with pros that might just help you land a job!
What’s more, you can find internship opportunities across most industries, so there’ll likely be one that can help you in your chosen profession. P.S. If you’re dreaming of a creative career, interning is a super popular way to get your foot in the door of a notoriously inaccessible industry!
What Is an Internship
- Short-term opportunities for hands-on experience
- Usually paid (unless you’re a volunteer intern)
- Includes support and mentorship from your provider
Apprenticeships
If you want to jump straight into an option that allows you to make money (and sets you up with a pathway into your chosen job), an apprenticeship might just be perfect for you!
A lot of people believe that apprenticeships are only for people going into trades. However, this isn’t necessarily true. There are apprenticeships for all kinds of different industries that require technical skills. Whether you’re interested in hairdressing, engineering or sports and fitness, you’re sure to find something for you! Get the full run-down in our digital apprenticeships mini-mag.
What Is an Apprenticeship
- Typically last 3-4 years
- Wages are determined by the industry and the level you study at
- Qualifications start at certificate III.
- Provides training in a skilled trade such as construction or hairdressing
Work Experience
Work experience opportunities are perfect for those of you who want to try out an industry without committing to a long-term program! While they aren’t paid, you’ll be developing a tonne of valuable skills and connections.
If you’re still in school (and have a few years left) you can still land yourself some work experience to do alongside your studies. The best part about this pathway is how flexible it is, meaning you can often make work experience work alongside your unique schedule!
What Is Work Experience?
- Usually only lasts for a few weeks
- Learning industry-specific skills and getting hands-on experience
- Unpaid
How To Choose Your Perfect Career Pathway
When deciding which career pathway is right for you, you need to have a serious think about where you see your career heading in the future. After all, having an industry in mind will drastically simplify the decision process.
If you’re still at a loss for what you want to do, that’s fine, but there are a few steps you’ll want to take before locking anything in!
If You Haven’t Decided on a Career:
For those of you who haven’t locked in a dream industry, we have some top tips and tricks for deciding which entry-level opportunity to pursue:
Take a Career Test
Taking a career test (like the Explore Careers Career Quiz) can help you figure out your strengths, weaknesses, and passions so that you can make an informed decision on what industry to try out!
Talk to a Career Counsellor
If you’re still feeling unsure (or if you’re tossing up a few top options), talking to a career counsellor can help you lock in a great decision with a clear head.
Apply for Work Experience
If you think you’ve made a great decision but want to ensure that your chosen job is for you, consider applying for work experience. That way, you’ll get some hands-on experience in the industry and know whether the work suits you!
If You Know What You Want to Do:
If you already have a dream job in mind, choosing your entry-level pathway is all about making sure you’re adequately setting yourself up to enter your industry.
Figure Out What Qualifications You’ll Need
When you’re sure about your chosen industry, you’ll want to do some research to make sure you’re aware of any necessary qualifications. That way, you can ensure that the path to your dream job will be bump-free!
Reach Out to Professionals
If you’re not sure about the best way to get your foot in the door, reach out to some industry professionals for their insider advice! If this is something you want to do, LinkedIn is a great place to start.
Try Before You Buy
Even if you’re dead set on a certain career path, it pays to try out the industry before fully committing. If you can secure some work experience while you’re still in school, you’ll be entering the workforce with skills and certainty!
Find Your Entry-Level Dream-Role Today!
With tonnes of tips and tricks up your sleeve, we think you’re ready to go forth and start your career journey! Whether that starts with our career quiz or research on our industries pages is up to you. Just remember, the sooner you start, the better, so set out on your workplace journey today!
