Preshil Pathways

The Careers program at Preshil is for capable, confident and adaptable young people. It opens up opportunities for students to explore, connect with and grow into fields that matter to them both locally and internationally.

At its core, the program supports the development of capabilities that employers value most: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, initiative and enterprise, planning and organisation, self-management, and strong technology skills. These are not taught in isolation, but developed through real experiences and engagement.

Closely connected to our multi-age activities program, the careers program at Preshil is shaped around the individual. Students are supported with relevant experiences, up-to-date information and guidance aligned to their interests and aspirations. Through work experience, volunteering, information sessions and a wide range of electives, students are empowered to make informed choices about their future pathways.

Relationships with mentors, businesses, workplaces and industries across the state play a vital role in the program. These connections enable rich work experience opportunities, guest speakers and volunteer programs that offer exposure and insight into different industries. Just as importantly, they provide students with mentoring relationships that allow reflection, decision-making and the confidence to pursue future study and career options.

Through the Careers program, students are supported to:

• Build resilience and confidence in navigating change throughout their lives
• Understand and manage the influences that shape career planning and lifelong learning
• Develop the skills, knowledge and critical thinking needed to research options and make informed decisions about their future

Careers at Preshil is not about choosing a single path—it’s about developing the capability to shape one, again and again.

The Careers Hub

As young people begin to develop greater independence, the influences around them become more complex. Social relationships, family circumstances, peer dynamics, stress and increasing academic demands all play a significant role in shaping decision-making. At this stage, some students may encounter barriers to career planning—experiencing dips in confidence, changes in academic performance, uncertainty about their interests or abilities, or limited support beyond school.

Preshil’s Careers program is designed to meet students where they are. Our dedicated Careers website is available to students, families and staff, providing clear, practical guidance as young people transition into tertiary study or the workforce. The site offers up-to-date information on key dates, expos, prerequisites, course admissions and pathways, as well as resources that support job readiness, including interview skills and résumé writing.

Families are also supported through accessible information about the IB, VET and tertiary admissions processes, along with guidance on how best to support their child through these important decisions.

Students are encouraged to book individual appointments with the Careers Practitioner, where they are supported to explore options, ask questions and reflect on next steps. These conversations take place in a safe, respectful and non-judgemental environment that prioritises confidence-building, clarity and informed choice.

Year 9 Careers

Students are introduced to the Careers program by exploring how who they are (their interests, skills, values, attributes and passions) connects to personal, social, educational and future pathways. This early focus helps students build self-awareness and begin thinking intentionally about the directions they may wish to explore.

Beginning the Careers program at this stage gives students the time and space to research options and plan ahead. In particular, it allows for early preparation and application for Year 10 Work Experience placements, including highly competitive or in-demand roles that often need to be secured many months in advance.

Year 10 Careers

In Year 10, students begin to actively explore life beyond school while being guided, supported and encouraged to think for themselves.

Careers classes are paired with Work Experience, giving students practical insight into different pathways and in turn, the confidence that comes from trying things out. Through conversations, reflection and real-world exposure, young people start to connect what interests them now with what could come next.

Students are invited to book one-on-one appointments with our Careers Practitioner, where they can talk through their ideas, questions and uncertainties. These conversations focus on how each student’s interests and passions might grow into a career that feels right for them.

Across the year, careers classes offer:

• Guest speakers who share lived experiences from a range of industries
• Visits to Careers Expos to broaden perspectives and possibilities
• Self-assessment tools that help students better understand their strengths and preferences

Students are also supported with the practical skills they need like understanding course prerequisites, preparing résumés and cover letters, developing interview skills, and getting ready for their chosen Work Experience placement.

At Preshil, careers education isn’t about narrowing options too early. It’s about helping young people build awareness, confidence and a sense of ownership as they start to shape their own path.

Year 11 Careers

In Year 11, careers education becomes more self-directed, with students taking greater ownership of their planning and decision-making.

Students receive ongoing guidance as they deepen their understanding of pathways using the careers website, supported by educators who help them navigate options, timelines and next steps. The focus shifts from exploration to clarity—learning how to research, compare and assess possibilities with confidence.

Across the year, students develop more advanced résumé-writing skills and refine how they present their experiences, strengths and interests. They also undertake independent research into tertiary prerequisites, building a clear picture of what different courses and institutions require.

Year 11 careers support is designed to help students feel informed, capable and prepared—able to make thoughtful choices while knowing they are supported as their ideas continue to evolve.

Year 12 Careers

In Year 12, careers support is personalised, focused and responsive—meeting students where they are as they prepare for life beyond school.

Students continue to receive ongoing guidance with career planning, reviewing goals and pursuing personal achievements. One-on-one conversations help them stay grounded and clear as decisions take shape, with space to refine plans as new opportunities emerge.

Practical support is a key focus. Students are assisted to set up and manage VTAC and interstate tertiary admission accounts, organise course preferences, and navigate early university entry, scholarship and SEAS applications. Support is also provided for interviews, portfolio requirements, admission tests (such as UCAT), and exploring alternative pathway options where relevant.

Collaboration plays an important role throughout the year. Students engage in opportunities that help them build networks and understand how relationships shape the world of work. These experiences often extend beyond familiar settings, offering chances to connect across cultures and perspectives.

Year 12 careers education is about confidence and agency ensuring students feel informed, supported and ready to step into what comes next on their own terms.