Indigenous high school students from Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley have received direction on their future careers at “Knowing Where You’re Going”, a camp recently hosted at UQ Gatton.
The two-day experience involved motivational and self-esteem workshops that look at pathways to higher education, work, apprenticeships and most importantly making informed decisions as to where they are going after high school.
The camp, aimed at year 10 and 11 students, ran from October 20-21 and was funded by Higher Education Equity Support Program (HEESP) funding from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Camp facilitator Judy Dale said the program was designed to provide students with the knowledge and confidence to pursue a career in line with their interests and skills.
“The camp “Knowing Where You`re Going” is structured to prepare students for the challenge of deciding what to do once they have finished school,” Ms Dale said.
“As the students are in grades 10 and 11 it ensures that they are thinking about their career options and have the opportunity to make the necessary changes to ensure they are heading in the right direction to achieve their goals.
“The results have been very positive as the program builds the students’ communication skills, boosts their confidence and gives them the knowledge to make wise choices.”
Camp facilitators were school Indigenous support workers, student mentors, local Indigenous community workers and invited guests from UQ’s St Lucia, Ipswich and Gatton campuses.
Media: Erin Pearl at the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (07 5460 1229)
