Your high school graduation isn’t far away and you’re sure you’d like uni to be the next step. But it’s a pretty big one with so many decisions to make. What courses can you take? How do you apply? Can you live on campus? How much will it cost? Is there a scholarship for you? Can you go overseas as part of your study? Yep … question overload!
Overview
- Career expos are a great place to learn everything you'd like to know about various universities.
- Going to a career fair with your school or independently is also a chance to talk face-to-face with experts and current students who know their programs and courses really well.
- If you're unsure what to do after finishing Year 12, a career expo can help you figure it out.
It may feel like it at the moment, but your career choice is not the be-all and end-all at this stage of your life. Things change all the time, including you, so going to uni is an awesome chance to try some things out and explore what you want your future to look like. And even if you’re unsure which degree to sign up for, it’s all good. Lots of students start studying in one or more disciplines and then change when they discover the career path they are interested in.
But let's not jump ahead; taking that first step of choosing a university and degree can be pretty daunting. So, let us introduce you to Clara Hill from our fantastic Future Students team! This group of knowledgeable and approachable humans is passionate about helping you and your support people (like your parents and careers adviser) navigate all the higher education choices out there.
Meet Clara
Bubbly, exuberant and passionate about changing people’s lives, Clara completed a degree at ANU and has worked for the University for over 20 years in student recruitment. She obviously loves the place but also knows her stuff. Clara and her colleagues are in charge of attending career expos across Australia to represent ANU.
What to expect at a career expo
Career expos can be held in big convention-centre-sized venues and rural town halls and are basically hubs of information in the form of stalls where you can walk around and ask staff any questions about their university, traineeship program or technical college, and grab their student handbooks and giveaways to take home.
Benefits of career expos include finding out what's out there in the world for you and getting all the nitty-gritty on the things you'd like to know now that school is nearly over, like selection requirements, how to apply, what courses are on offer, social clubs, support services, accommodation options and state-of-the-art campus facilities. There is so much to learn!
Attending a career expo is also a chance for our Future Students team to show you why ANU is renowned as one of the best universities in the world and the things that set us apart from others. Things like flexible double degrees, Canberra and unique internship opportunities with government departments, the Tuckwell and Kambri scholarships, as well as our small classes and brilliant academics.
“Choosing to study at university is not just a challenge for you. Those that love you are probably nervous about your choices as well. Not to mention that attending uni is a big financial decision. But knowledge is power.”
How Clara and her colleagues can help
According to Clara, her ultimate goal at these expos is to help you discover your chosen field or explore other fields you may not have even considered yet.
"I’m also here to help the people who support you, including your parents, carers or your school’s careers adviser," she says.
“Choosing to study at university is not just a challenge for you. Those that love you are probably nervous about your choices as well. Not to mention that attending uni is a big financial decision. But knowledge is power. So my role is really about super-charging that power, so everyone involved is ready to take this next step with you.”
People like Clara are knowledge providers but are also genuinely thrilled about watching you and your friends grow into successful individuals in their chosen fields.
“A big part of my job is forming connections with people and building trust," Clara says.
"You can do as much research as you like online or by reading brochures, but there’s nothing like talking one-on-one with another human. I always tell the students I meet I am here for the long haul. I am here to continue to help you make your decision. I am your go-to person. I can answer your questions, lessen your anxiety and genuinely excite you about your future."
But, according to Clara, expos are also about helping prospective students create their own story, believe in themselves, and imagine all the amazing possibilities.
"[Our student ambassadors] are living and breathing the reality of being an ANU student ...and are a great source of advice and inspiration for you at careers expos."
Meet our student ambassadors
ANU student ambassadors can be a big part of this support, Clara says, because they are relatable.
"They are living and breathing the reality of being an ANU student. They have experienced challenges, but they’ve also conquered them. So our ambassadors are a great source of advice and inspiration for you at careers expos," says Clara.
“Moving on from school to university is often one of the most significant transition periods in a person’s life, so of course, there are big decisions to make. But it’s also one of the most transformational. How cool is that?”
Now that you understand the benefits of career expos, we're looking forward to meeting you at one near you. But, until then, and afterwards, ask questions of our Future Students team. Our student ambassadors are waiting to talk to you over the phone from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm.
