The not so ‘sexy’ career paths school leavers should consider

There’s plenty of work available for those finishing school – and while the jobs are not always glamorous, they tend to offer solid career and pay progression. See experts’ suggestions.

Industries like logistics and warehousing, safety and compliance, security, administration, and travel and tourism offer strong employment opportunities for school leavers.

Plenty of opportunities exist for those entering the workforce straight from school – but experts warn young Australians must be prepared to expand their job search beyond “sexy” careers.

Logistics and warehousing, safety and compliance and security are seldom considered by young people, but are among the best industries for those with minimal qualifications and offer solid career progression over time, says Career Confident director Helen Green.

“I have seen people do extremely well going from a pick-and-pack role in the warehouse to training themselves up to be in a management role in procurement in just a few years,” Green says.

“There are also good prospects in OHS. It’s not a particularly sexy area for young people to think about but, if you start working in an admin role in a safety organisation … you could do a Certificate IV (in work health and safety) and be a health and safety officer.”

Green says the widely held belief that young people require a university degree to be successful makes her “cross”, as there are plenty of entry-level roles that open doors to lucrative careers.

“People underestimate the opportunities available to school leavers with limited prior experience,” she says.

“There are options out there. Young people should not assume that they need to have a four-year degree to have good career prospects.”

Career Confident director Helen Green says there are lots of jobs for graduates – but they’ll need to consider areas that are not particularly “sexy”.

The best choices for young workers

As school and uni students prepare for graduation and ponder what’s next, Green encourages them to be “creative and strategic” when it comes to their careers.

She says retail, hospitality, construction, telecommunications and sales are well known for the opportunities provided to school leavers, but there are other sectors also worth considering.

“Administration, travel and tourism, and security and surveillance are very good areas to have a look at. Advertising is another industry (to consider) too,” Green says.

“Police always advertise their school leaver programs (at the end of the year) and the clean energy sector has lots of jobs, with entry-level positions like mechanical technicians.”

She says those open to undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship would do well to consider the construction, IT and government sectors.

“If you’re good at IT, I would definitely be looking at an IT traineeship because there’s good money there,” Green says.

Regardless of their level of education, new job seekers should focus their search on sectors expected to have strong long-term growth, says Adam Shapley, technology and technical workforce solutions managing director at recruiter Hays.

He agrees that IT, specifically within the area of cyber security, and construction offer plenty of roles with long-term job security.

Agriculture and food production also provide solid prospects, including in stock breeding, machinery maintenance and precision farming, Shapley says.

Health remains a large employer of those with the appropriate tertiary qualifications, while the aged care sector is a good option for school leavers and may help workers later transition to other health fields, he says.

Careers in security are seldom considered by young people but can be among the best for little training, says Career Confident director Helen Green. Picture: iStock

Still unsure?

Young people should never feel trapped by their first career choice, Shapley says, adding it’s OK to change direction down track.

Green suggests those struggling to pick just one preferred role try out jobs in multiple fields instead.

“(Employment) doesn’t have to be one full-time job,” she says.

“Try different industries and have two part-time roles.

“Some people might find they quite like shift work.”

‘Say yes’

Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy, the pro vice-chancellor student success at Western Sydney University, advises new job seekers to take every opportunity that comes their way.

“The best advice we can give school leavers or new graduates is that there is immense value in aggregating experience,” she says.

“Say yes to opportunity.

“Put yourself out there by asking someone in a job you think you might like for a coffee. Connect with your careers adviser at school and do work experience.

“Experience in any shape or form will provide useful data to help you to make a better-informed decision about what you should try next.

“Every experience you have when you are starting out gets you closer to understanding more about yourself and what you do and don’t want from a job or career.”

Amanda Eessa is starting a Master of Architecture, assisted by a Frasers Property Australia scholarship.

Creating job opportunities

Amanda Eessa is still a way off looking for work – she is about to start a two-year Master of Architecture, assisted by a $60,000 Frasers Property Australia scholarship for women.

But she’s already started to bolster her job prospects, having been recently short-listed as a finalist in an international design competition seeking to redefine the future of housing.

Eessa has also organised an exhibition to showcase her work, as well as that of other architecture students, at Paramatta this month. She has also helped form a student architecture club and a student-led design magazine.

“I am confident that I’ll find work somewhere after graduation (but) if not, I like the idea that designers can create their own opportunities too,” she says.

Tips for becoming job ready

• Before starting work, make sure you have a tax file number and create a myGov account on the myGov website

• Set your expectations. Consider how many hours you can and want to work each week and whether you need flexible work conditions

• Check whether any jobs of interest have licencing, training or registration requirements

• Increase your chances of finding work by letting friends, family and schoolmates know you are actively looking for roles

• Identify your skills and see how they match with what employers are looking for

• Write a resume and prepare for interviews. There are many online tools that can help with this

• Manage your personal brand by checking what you are posting to social media and ensuring you are comfortable with a future employer seeing it.

Source: yourcareer.gov.au

Originally published as The not so ‘sexy’ career paths school leavers should consider