Skills Audit: Know Yourself

Before exploring careers, it helps to understand what you are good at and what you enjoy. These do not have to be the same thing, but the sweet spot is where they overlap.

Hard Skills (Things You Can Learn)

• Maths and problem-solving
• Writing and communication
• Coding or using technology
• Science and research
• Art, design, or music
• Sports and physical skills
• Cooking, building, making things

Soft Skills (How You Work)

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Leadership and initiative
• Communication and listening
• Organisation and time management
• Creativity and innovation
• Empathy and helping others
• Adaptability and resilience

Reflection questions to ask yourself:

• What subjects do I enjoy most? What do I do well in?
• What do I do in my free time that I lose track of time doing?
• What problems do I like solving?
• Do I prefer working with people, data, things, or ideas?

Career Clusters

Careers are often grouped into clusters of related fields. Exploring clusters helps you discover paths you may not have considered. Here are some major areas:

STEM

Engineering, IT, Data Science, Medical Research, Environmental Science

Creative & Media

Graphic Design, Film, Music, Writing, Architecture, Game Design

Business & Finance

Accounting, Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship, Law

Health & Care

Nursing, Medicine, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Aged Care, Paramedics

Education & Community

Teaching, Social Work, Youth Work, Counselling, Community Services

Trades & Practical

Electrician, Plumber, Chef, Carpentry, Automotive, Agriculture

Important: The average Australian changes careers 5-7 times in their lifetime. You are not locking yourself in forever. The skills you build now — especially soft skills — transfer across almost every career.

Pathways After Year 10

There is no single "right" path. Different routes suit different people, and many successful careers involve a combination of pathways.

Year 11-12 & University

Complete your senior studies and apply for university through ATAR or alternative entry.

Best for: Careers requiring degrees (medicine, law, engineering, teaching).

TAFE & Vocational Education

Gain practical, industry-specific qualifications (Certificate III, IV, or Diploma).

Best for: Hands-on careers, creative industries, hospitality, IT, health support.

Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Learn on the job while earning a wage and gaining a qualification.

Best for: Trades (electrical, plumbing, carpentry), hairdressing, automotive, cooking.

Gap Year & Work Experience

Take a year to work, travel, volunteer, or explore interests before committing to further study.

Best for: Those who need time to decide, want real-world experience, or want to save money.

How to Research Careers

Don't just guess what a career is like — investigate it. Here are practical ways to explore:

1

Online Research

Use myfuture.edu.au and joboutlook.gov.au to explore career profiles, salary ranges, growth outlook, and required qualifications.

2

Work Experience & Shadowing

Spending even one day in a workplace gives you more insight than hours of reading. Ask your school about work experience programs.

3

Informational Interviews

Ask someone working in a field you are interested in: "What does your typical day look like? What do you wish you'd known before starting?"

4

Volunteering & Extracurriculars

Volunteering, part-time jobs, clubs, and hobbies help you discover interests and build skills for your resume.

Goal Setting: SMART Goals

A goal without a plan is just a wish. SMART goals give you a clear, actionable framework:

S

Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve? Not "do better at school" but "improve my maths grade from C to B."

M

Measurable

How will you know you've achieved it? Track your test scores each term.

A

Achievable

Is it realistic? Moving from C to B in one term is achievable with consistent effort.

R

Relevant

Does it matter to you? A better maths grade will help you get into the engineering course you want.

T

Time-bound

When is the deadline? By the end of Term 2.

Worked Example: SMART Goal

Vague Goal

"I want to get a good job one day."

SMART Goal

"By the end of this term, I will research 3 careers in healthcare by visiting myfuture.edu.au and interviewing one person who works in the health sector."

Australian Resources

myfuture.edu.au

Australia's national career information service. Free career exploration tools, quizzes, and detailed career profiles.

joboutlook.gov.au

Government data on job growth, average earnings, working hours, and future demand for hundreds of occupations.

Your School Careers Counsellor

A free, personalised resource right in your school. Book a meeting to discuss your interests, strengths, and options.

Open Days & Career Expos

Universities and TAFEs hold open days where you can explore courses, talk to students, and tour campuses.

Key Vocabulary

Skills Audit

A personal assessment of your strengths, abilities, and interests to inform career decisions.

SMART Goals

Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

ATAR

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank — a number (0-99.95) used for university entry based on Year 12 results.

Apprenticeship

A combination of on-the-job training and formal study, typically in a trade, lasting 3-4 years.

Transferable Skills

Skills that are useful across many different careers, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Career Cluster

A group of related careers that share common skills, knowledge areas, or interests.

Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of career exploration and goal setting. Select the correct answer and click "Check Answer".

Question 1

In a SMART goal, what does the "M" stand for?

Massive Motivational Measurable Meaningful

Question 2

Which of these is an example of a "soft skill"?

Coding in Python Solving quadratic equations Operating a forklift Teamwork and communication

Question 3

A student enjoys working with their hands, does not want to go to university, and wants to earn while they learn. Which pathway is the best fit?

An apprenticeship in a trade Straight to university for a degree A gap year travelling overseas Dropping out of school

Question 4

Which of these is a SMART goal?

"I want to be successful." "I will research 3 careers in healthcare by visiting myfuture.edu.au before the end of this term." "I should probably figure out what I want to do." "I want to get rich quick."

Question 5

Why are transferable skills important for career planning?

They are only useful in one specific job Employers don't value them They can be applied across many different careers, making you adaptable They replace the need for any qualifications

Career Exploration & Future Planning