Beyond the dream job: real career insights, with Loreto Normanhurst

Alexi Kayes leads a structured, whole-school careers program designed to guide students from early exposure through to confident post-school decision-making. With a strong focus on both self-discovery and industry exploration, the program supports students at every stage of their career journey.

Opportunity

Students needed access to clear, realistic, and engaging career information to support both exploration and informed decision-making. The school was looking to strengthen how students connect their interests with real-world pathways, particularly through both classroom learning and one-on-one guidance.

Careers Program Structure

The careers program is delivered progressively across Years 9 to 12, with each stage building on the last.

Years 9 and 10 focus on the fundamentals of the world of work, including resumes, job applications, and interview skills. By Year 10, students begin to shift into self-discovery, exploring “who am I and what are my interests?”, alongside subject selection and career assessments.

In Year 11, the focus moves into deeper career exploration, while Year 12 centres on applications and empowering students to make informed post-school decisions.

Beyond structured lessons, students from all year levels are encouraged to book one-on-one sessions. “My door is always open… whether they’re in Year 5 and 6 or all the way through to Year 12.”

How TCD is Used

The Careers Department is embedded across both classroom delivery and individual student consultations.

“I use it in my consultations for exploration of different industries, especially with Year 10, 11, and 12.”

It is also integrated into curriculum through subjects like Integrated Learning, where students complete career profiling and structured exploration tasks.

In Year 9, students used the platform to design and present a careers market, researching industries and roles of interest. “They used lots of different resources, but The Careers Department was the main one.”

Key Features Used
Industry Exploration: “Wonderful resources” for deep diving into areas of interest
Virtual Work Experience: Supports deeper understanding of roles and pathways
Profiling: Highly engaging for students exploring strengths and interests
Graduate Tours: “Great little clips that give you a real-world view”
Teacher Resources: Used to build subject-based lessons across faculties

Impact
The Careers Department has strengthened how students connect their interests to real-world opportunities.

Students are highly engaged when exploring relevant industries. “They get really excited when you show them areas they’re interested in… and then they discover jobs and courses they hadn’t thought of.”

The platform supports informed decision-making by presenting a realistic view of pathways. “The resources are really honest… they don’t sell the dream job, they show what it actually entails.”

It is particularly effective in one-on-one settings, where students can explore options in depth and build their understanding of future pathways.

Feedback

The platform is valued for its accessibility, relevance, and ease of use.

“It’s user-friendly… it gives a snapshot, so it’s easy to engage with even in a short amount of time.”

Students respond well to the modern, up-to-date content, while teachers appreciate the ability to integrate it into lessons across subjects.

“I love that it’s realistic… that’s why I direct students to The Careers Department in my one-on-one consultations.”

The platform is also gaining traction across staff. “We’re always talking to our colleagues about how great it is.”