Careers Day Out a huge success

By Djembe Archibald

May 15, 2023

Sausage sizzle: Alexandra Secondary School Year 11 students Maddy Northmore and Emily Irwin. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The 2023 Careers Day Out was set to be the biggest yet, with over 2200 registered attendees and 27 schools, and both days were a great success.

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On Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11, Wodonga TAFE, Shepparton campus was full of bright-eyed and bushy tailed students from Year 9 to 12.

The event included over 80 exhibitors from all education and career paths, from agriculture and trades to hospitality and emergency services.

Some organisations and businesses prioritised engagement with the students, handing out merchandise such as pens, stickers and badges.

Others had active ways for students to participate in the day, handing out tasters of foods (including free pancakes) and allowing them to get behind the wheel of a forklift.

Community engagement: Rochester Secondary College Year 11 students Jude Mussared, Amiel Hadugan and Jasper McArdle with Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project Life Links worker Chris Walker. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

But the fun wasn’t only for the students; organisations’ representatives, such as Lighthouse Project Life Links worker Chris Walker, found value in engaging with the attendees.

Mr Walker said the day was a great way to connect with the local youth and explore conversations about future careers.

“Predominantly we are in the youth space, so it’s been good to see the kids and talk about careers opportunities,” Mr Walker said.

“I also want to say thanks to the kids for engaging with all of the organisations here today.”

Students were walking into the event with excitement and quickly spread throughout the event, engaging with exhibitors and enjoying the day.

Ready to learn: Kyabram P-12 College Year 10 students Ryley Crabtree, Chelsea Trotter, Zahley Francis and Briana West. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Teachers found the event a great way to allow students to talk to employers with which they would otherwise have minimal contact.

“I think that Careers Day Out gets the students to engage with businesses that they otherwise wouldn’t have,” St Mary of the Angels Secondary College, Nathalia, education support and teacher Calypso Archibald said.

“The kids can learn from these conversations with representatives, from people like firefighters, farmers, nurses and local initiatives.”

The two-day event was full of learning, engagement and open conversations, a success for all businesses and organisations that exhibited and students who attended.