How do I choose a career that is right for me?

Finding a suitable career path is challenging. Some people know with a burning certainty what they want to do with their work lives. For some, it’s a slow and steady realisation and for others a winding path, one that might change at different stages of their lives.

 
“Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”
— Confucius
 

As we talk about careers in this section, it is important to remember that it is OK to change your mind, spend time thinking and exploring a variety of options. And keep in mind, it’s increasingly common for younger Australians to change jobs, role and even industries multiple times throughout the working lives.

When considering your possible career paths, there are some good basic questions to start by reflecting on:

  • What are your interests or hobbies?

  • What were your favourite subjects at school (or what did you like to learn about outside of school)?

  • What training and education is required for careers that interest you?

  • What are current ‘growth’ occupations where there are industry 'skills shortages'?

  • What are the new and emerging occupations and industries of the future?

  • What are your own values, and the kinds of impact you want to have through your work?

 
 

FACT: On average, Australians today will change careers 5 to 7 times throughout their life.

- McCrindle Research

 

Where can I go for advice?

Browse Careers Websites

There are all kinds of resources online that can help you think about your future career.

Some of them help you imagine what working in a particular field or industry might be like, while others describe the skills or qualifications you will need to get the job you want.

We've put together a list of careers websites below to get you started:

 

Careers websites

Jobs Victoria – Translated information - Jobs Victoria information and resources in a range of languages.

Youth Central - Victorian government site with loads of information about finding a career, getting a job, and study options.

Skills Road 360° Virtual Workplace - Learn all about five different industries with these virtual workplace tours.

Your Career - A portal created by the Australian government with information and resources about occupations, study options, applying for jobs and support services. Features a quick quiz for young people looking for career ideas.

Job Jumpstart - An Australian government website for young people aged 15 to 25. They provide information and resources to support you in your job search and help you build your employability skills. It’s not just about choosing your ideal career, it’s about what you need to get there!

The Good Careers Guide - A great website with career information and resources. You can search for particular jobs and industries, and then find info about what the job looks like day-to-day, what skills and qualifications you need to get there, and which Australian universities and TAFE’s run related courses. Also check out the aptitude test and career ladder charts. (Interested in art? Learn all the different ways your artistic side can guide your career.)

Job Access, Driving Disability Employment - National hub for employment and workplace information for people with Disability. Watch stories about the diverse experiences of people with disability in Australian workplaces.

Job Outlook - Use the skills match and career quiz tools, and explore jobs that are in demand in your community.

MyFuture Career Bullseyes are a brilliant way to look for careers that fit your interests!

MyFuture Career Bullseyes - Know you like art (or media … or metal work) but don’t know what to do with it?! Check out these helpful infographics to see where your passion might leave you. This government career information service also has a whole range of other helpful info and resources.

MySkills - Australian government initiative with information about training options. Contains a training provider search.

Career planning with your child - Victorian government information for parents, so they can support young people in making decisions about their education and careers.

Skills and Job Centres, Victoria University Polytechnic - Centre with a range of career advices and resources for job-seekers. Enquiries: (03) 9919 9988

National Disability Coordination Officer program - The NDCO program has produced a broad range of resources to support the transition of students with disability into tertiary education and subsequent employment.

Work that Matters - Victorian government portal with information for people wanting to work in disability support

Youth Employment Scheme (YES) - Want to work in a Victorian government department or agency but don’t know where to start? YES provides young people aged 15 to 29 with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training. There is a stream for young people with a disability.

Defence Jobs Australia - Learn all about career options within the Australian Defence Force

Finding a Job - Australian government (Department of Education Skills and Employment) portal with information about looking for a job, a career change. finding local jobs and support services.

MyFuture Career Bullseyes - Know you like art (or media … or metal work) but don’t know what to do with it?! Check out these helpful infographics to see where your passion might leave you. This government career information service also has a whole range of other helpful info and resources.

MySkills - Australian government initiative with information about training options. Contains a training provider search.

Career planning with your child - Victorian government information for parents, so they can support young people in making decisions about their education and careers.

Skills and Job Centres, Victoria University Polytechnic - Centre with a range of career advices and resources for job-seekers. Enquiries: (03) 9919 9988

National Disability Coordination Officer program - The NDCO program has produced a broad range of resources to support the transition of students with disability into tertiary education and subsequent employment.

Work that Matters - Victorian government portal with information for people wanting to work in disability support

Youth Employment Scheme (YES) - Want to work in a Victorian government department or agency but don’t know where to start? YES provides young people aged 15 to 29 with an opportunity to work in the Victorian Public Service for 12 months while completing accredited training. There is a stream for young people with a disability.

Defence Jobs Australia - Learn all about career options within the Australian Defence Force

Finding a Job - Australian government (Department of Education Skills and Employment) portal with information about looking for a job, a career change. finding local jobs and support services.

 

Careers mentoring and counselling

Do you want to talk to someone who will help you with your choices?

There are a range of organisations working in Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong (and around Victoria) that can offer you more tailored support as you think about your future career options.

Get access to mentors, careers counsellors, work experience opportunities and plenty more other activities about jobs that interest you:

Youth Mentoring and Careers Pathways program

Mmvllen’s very own program, offering young people with barriers to employment a chance to develop professional networks, explore new skills and gain hands-on experience to kick-start their careers.

Our unique approach to mentoring, work placement and career support ensures that the needs and interests of each participating young person are met, opening a world of positive possibilities.

The program is open to young people in Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley between 16 and 24.

 
 

Other Mentoring Programs

The following is a list of mentoring programs that are available for young people in Melbourne’s west:

Headspace Digital Industry Mentoring Service - headspace, the national youth mental health foundation, run an online career mentoring service for young people aged 18 to 25.

Headspace Work and Study Support Service - headspace also offers one-on-one free support with a careers specialist to young people aged 15 to 25.

Jobs Victoria Work and Learning Centres - These centres provide personalised support and services for people looking for work including career guidance and vocational training. They also provide a range of support services to address barriers to employment including health and mental health services, drug and alcohol support and child care. There are five locations across Melbourne and Geelong: the closest centre to Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley is in Fitzroy.

Jobs Victoria programs summary - Jobs Victoria information and resources in a range of languages

Jobs Victoria Career Counsellors - Jobs Victoria currently offers 45 minute personalised sessions with qualified counsellors. If you are a young person unsure of your work/career options and wondering where to look, this is a great place to start.

Jobs Victoria Advocates - Advocates can support you in finding work, help you prepare for interviews, and refer you to other services. The program is run by a network of partner organisations around Victoria. Look at the map to find an advocate near you or register your interest for a call back.

Jobs Victoria Mentors - If you have been unemployed for more than six months and face barriers to employment, you may be able to connect with a mentor who can provide advice, help update your skills, and support you into a job that suits you. There are a number of partners in the Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong area offering this service. Formerly called the Jobs Victoria Employment Network.

Skills and Job Centre, RMIT - free independent advice on further study and job options. Includes a free Careers Counselling service and a regular suite of employment workshops

Wingate Ave Community Centre - Range of programs and services including Reconnect program providing support to young people in Moonee Valley. 13A Wingate Avenue, Ascot Vale. Enquiries: (03) 9212 0236

 

Have A Chat With Your Careers Teacher

Every school has a careers counsellor, with all kinds of knowledge about work opportunities, career pathways and study/training options. Importantly, they can give you advice even after you've left school.

Talking to a careers counsellor is a great first step if you are not sure which career pathway you want to take.

 

Talk to people

It may be daunting, but try chatting to the people around you about their journey through work. You might approach a friend’s parent, your relatives, the local librarian, or even the people you admire on social media.

There are many ways to brace the topic, but one approach is to be straight-forward: mention you are thinking about what you want to do next in work or study, and you want to find out more about how other people have started their careers.

There are so many questions you could ask:

  • Ask them how they got their current job

  • Ask them whether they studied or undertook training, and what that was like for them

  • Ask them what the day-to-day of their job involves

  • Ask them what they like and don’t like about their current work

  • Do they want to try something new in the future?

Most of the time people are excited to talk about their jobs, and the responses are often surprising and entertaining! Talking to others – even if they don’t have the same interests as you – also helps you realise that everyone goes through the challenge of finding work that is right for them. Learning from the people around you is a great tool for reflecting on your own journey.

 
 

Find success stories and other tools

There are also resources online that help you imagine what it might be like working in a particular area:

Year 13 - Year 13 is a great blog site with loads of articles by contributors about different career options, tips for landing a job, and more.

Skills Road 360° Virtual Workplace - Learn all about five different industries with these virtual workplace tours.

Create Your Future - is a film project showcasing the successes and challenges experienced by people with disability from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. These films aim to build aspiration for tertiary education and employment amongst those facing similar issues.

 
 

Visit Your Local Youth Centre

Local council-run Youth Centres often have youth workers who can help you navigate your way around finding a career and what steps you will need to take.

The best way to see how they might help you is to get in touch: pop in for a visit, give them a call, send through an email or DM them via their social media accounts.

The Phoenix Youth Hub provides a range of programs and services are for young people aged 12 to 25, who live, work, study or play in the City of Maribyrnong.
Instagram: @phoenix_youth/ Facebook: facebook.com/PhoenixYouthCentre/
72 Buckley Street, Footscray. Enquiries: (03) 9091 4700

Valley Youth offers services for young people in Moonee Valley.
Instagram: @ValleyYouthMV Facebook: facebook.com/ValleyYouthMV/
9 Kellaway Avenue, Moonee Ponds. Enquiries: (03) 9243 1225

 

Thinking you might need further study?

TAFEs and universities will have a career advice service that can provide information about the courses and subjects needed for particular careers. However, sometimes these services are only available to students who are enrolled or considering enrolling at that TAFE or university. There are some services located at TAFEs which you can access without having to enrol or attend that institution. These are known as Skills and Jobs Centres and they are more than happy to assist or answer any questions you may have.

Skills and Jobs Centre - Victoria University Polytechnic - With hubs located in Sunshine and Footscray, the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre provides convenient online consultations, and can assist prospective students looking to begin training or find further employment information. Enquiries: (03) 9919 9988

Skills and Jobs Centre, RMIT - The RMIT Skills and Jobs Centre offers free, expert advice on training, re-skilling, and job options for prospective students, job seekers and members of the community.