Explore options

Once you have a clear understanding of your skills, values, strengths and interests, you can more confidently explore career options. Throughout your career, you will likely change jobs and potentially switch careers multiple times. It is advisable to explore a broad range of career paths until it is time to narrow your options and make a decision.

Explore what's out there

Gain hands-on experience to develop insights into your strengths and learn more about your work preferences. Consider exploring casual work, internships and project-based work that will provide discipline-relevant experience. It is important to take a life-long learning approach and continue enhancing your skills so that you can adapt to changes over time. Your program of study includes a career-ready placement experience. Volunteer opportunities are also an excellent way to build your skills for your resume.

For each occupation you explore, ask yourself these questions:

  • Can I imagine myself in that role?
  • Can I see myself working in that organisation or industry?
  • How can I build the skills that would be required for making this a reality?
  • What are the regular tasks and duties?
  • What are the working conditions?
  • What future career pathways are available?

Engage in conversations with people who are working in roles of interest about their work and learning experiences. These are questions you could ask:

  • What inspired you to do what you do?
  • How would you describe your career journey?
  • How did you start and how did you progress to where you are now?
  • What do you wish you had known earlier?
  • How does the reality of your job match the expectations you had about it?
  • What do you love / not love so much about the role?
  • What does a typical week look like?
  • What advice would you give anyone starting out in this field?
  • Are there any additional certifications or training you would recommend?
  • Do you have any tips about the recruitment process that you could share?

Finding out what appeals to you can be an exciting process, but it can take time to research. You can start researching specific occupations  and industries. Make sure you:

  • Put time aside to explore and research
  • Use a range of sources to research organisations of interest - via company websites, LinkedIn company profiles, sites such as glassdoor.com, social media profiles, attending employer events, and news articles
  • Gather information about the job market by doing a future focused job search on roles and topics (e.g., Sustainability) that interest you
  • Create a target list of your preferred occupations and potential employers