Supporting your child's career journey

As a parent or carer, you're one of the most influential voices in your child’s life—and that includes their career decisions.

The Southern Catholic College Careers Expo on May 22 is a great opportunity for your child to explore options and gather inspiration, and with your support, they’ll get even more out of the experience.

Scroll down for tips, resources, and conversation starters to help you feel confident talking about future careers and pathways—before and after the Expo.

Student Career Expo Passport

Each student attending the Careers Expo will receive a Careers Expo Passport—a practical tool designed to help guide their conversations with exhibitors. It includes space to note questions, jot down insights, and reflect on what they've discovered throughout the day.

Parents and carers are welcome to download a copy of the Careers Passport to see what their child will be using and to support follow-up conversations at home. It’s a great way to stay informed and involved in your child’s career exploration journey.

Before the Careers Expo

Here’s how you can prepare together:

Start the Conversation

Ask open-ended questions like:

• “What are you most looking forward to at the Careers Expo?”
• “Are there any jobs or industries that sound interesting to you?”
• “What do you enjoy doing, and could you see that becoming part of your career?”

Explore Together

Visit some of the excellent online resources below. Sit down with your child and explore different careers, industries, and study options together.

Career Exploration and Pathway Tools

These sites help students understand different careers, industries, and pathways.

• Myfuture – Comprehensive career planning with quizzes, pathway maps, and profiles.
• Explore Careers – Career quizzes, industry overviews, and real employer insights.
• Careerify – Tasmania-specific resource showing local opportunities and job trends.
• Your Career – Government-run site with info on job outlooks, skills, and career stories.

Course and Study Options

These resources help explore university, TAFE, and other study opportunities.

• Course Seeker – Search and compare bachelor-level courses across Australia.
• Individual university and TAFE Websites – Great for checking current course offerings and emerging study areas. UTAS and TasTAFE will be available at the Expo.

Study and Career Planning Support

Useful for planning next steps and staying informed.

• Study Work Grow – Regular updates on courses, scholarships, events, and career ideas.
• Seek Career Advice – Job trends, resume tips, and interview guidance.

Budgeting and Real-World Prep

Help your child understand the practical side of career planning.

• Cost of Living Calculator – Estimate future expenses and living costs for different study or work scenarios.
• The Good Universities Guide / Good Careers Guide – Available online and in some school libraries. Offers course comparisons, job market data, and emerging trends.

During the Careers Expo

Encourage your child to:

• Ask questions about what a typical day in different roles looks like.
• Collect brochures for later discussion.
• Think about how the different options align with their interests and strengths.

After the Careers Expo

Debrief Together

Ask:

• “What stood out to you?”
• “Did you discover anything new?”
• “Are there next steps you’d like to take—like booking work experience or researching a course?”

Take Action

Help them:

• Book an appointment with your college’s Career/Pathways Advisor. Our advisors are here to help guide your child’s journey with tailored advice and connections.
• Look into work experience opportunities. These are invaluable for building skills, gaining confidence, and standing out to future employers.
• Review resources such as the Good Universities Guide or Good Jobs Guide, available both online and in some college libraries. These publications include job trends, university profiles, and career options across Australia.

Your Support Matters

Young people often feel uncertain about the future—but knowing you’re there to listen, guide, and encourage them makes a huge difference. You don’t need to have all the answers—just being engaged and open to exploring possibilities together is a powerful first step.

If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to your child’s school Career/Pathways Advisor.

To learn more about the event, including exhibitor details, visit the Careers Expo webpage.

Thank you to the Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents Council for their support of the Careers Expo