More than 800 high school students from across the region visited the University of Southern Queensland for Year 9-10 Careers Day on Thursday.
The event was an opportunity for students to visit USQ Toowoomba, experience university life and explore different study options available.
St Ursula’s College student Georgia Waters said while finishing school was still a few years away, she was starting to think about different career pathways as well as what subjects to choose in her senior years.
“It has been really interesting to hear about what the future holds in terms of careers and study,” Miss Waters said.
“I am really interested in sport and exercise… I enjoy that area and would possibly like to pursue it as a career.”
Scots PGC Year 10 student Tshinta Kendall was making the most of her visit to USQ.
“I am here to look at the university and see what careers I could go into and possible tertiary education options,” Miss Kendall said.
“I am still not entirely sure what direction I want to go in, and think that is the beauty of this event; I now have more of an idea of different possibilities.
“At the moment I am looking at psychology and science.”
USQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Jan Thomas said the event provided an opportunity for students to learn about the processes involved and pathways available to higher education.
“Students were able to learn about careers available in the areas of law, business, nursing, creative arts and engineering, among others,” Professor Thomas said.
“For many students, this was their first time experiencing higher education so we wanted to give them a taste of what university life is like and explore what options are available when they finish high school.
“We tried to make sure all the sessions were informative, interesting and hands-on, while USQ staff and students were available to talk about the benefits of tertiary study and what courses are available.”
At the one-day event, students engaged in practical seminars, took part in campus tours and checked out the interactive career market.
Representatives from TAFE Queensland and the Australian Defence Force also facilitated sessions on the day.
Schools that attended included: Australian Christian College Distance Education, Bell SHS, Centenary Heights SHS, Charleville SHS, Chinchilla SHS, Clifton SHS, Crow’s Nest SHS, Dalby SHS, Inglewood SHS, Lockyer District SHS, Miles SHS, Mitchell SHS, Oakey SHS, Pittsworth SHS, Roma State College, St Joseph’s College, St Ursula’s College, Stanthorpe SHS, Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School, Tara Shire SHS, Texas SHS, The Glennie School, The School of Total Education, The Scots PGC College, Toowoomba SHS – Mount Lofty, Warwick SHS, Yarraman SHS, Woodenbong Central School, Wandoan SHS, Millmerran SHS.
- Source: The University of Southern Queensland
