While most students have a clear idea of where they want to head after school, many still feel they lack the real-world experience needed to get there, new research shows.
NAB’s latest Education Insights Report – which looked at what employers actually want from the next generation, and whether they're being set up to deliver it – shows most (77%) students plan to go to university and 56% know what type of job they want to pursue, but 21% say experience is a barrier to achieving their post-school goals.
Sarah McGlade, Head of Talent Acquisition at NAB said careers advisers can play an important role in easing the pressure many young people feel by helping them see career planning as a journey of exploration rather than a single, high-stakes decision.
“Instead of asking, ‘What do you want to be?’, advisers can encourage deeper reflection through questions such as, ‘What interests you?’, ‘What are your strengths?’ and ‘What problems would you like to help solve?’,” Glade told The Educator.
“This reframing helps students recognise that careers are rarely defined by a single choice made at secondary school and are often shaped through ongoing learning, experiences, and opportunities.”
Glade said the pressure to have a fixed plan is misplaced.
“By helping students identify their interests, values and strengths, careers advisers can foster the self-awareness and confidence needed to for students to make informed decisions, while reassuring them that they do not need their entire future mapped out before they leave school.”
When asked what she believes is the most important takeaway from this report for Australia’s school Principals, Glade said it’s that today’s students are both optimistic about their future and seeking greater confidence in how to navigate it.
“While many young people feel positive about the opportunities ahead, they are also aware of the challenges posed by technological change, financial uncertainty, and a rapidly evolving labour market,” she said. “This reinforces the need for schools to balance academic achievement with the development of practical capabilities that will serve students throughout their careers.”
By embedding opportunities to build communication, problem-solving, financial literacy, digital confidence and real-world experience, schools can help students connect learning with life beyond the classroom, Glade said.
“Strong partnerships with employers, community organisations, tertiary providers, and alumni can further bring future pathways to life, ensuring students leave school not only with knowledge, but with the confidence, capability, and practical understanding to navigate an evolving world of work.”