Our Year 9 students had the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into Te Ao Mahi - The World of Work this week as part of our Inspiring the Future event.

The morning began with a challenge: our students were introduced to nine mystery women. Our ākonga had no idea what any of them did for a living, so through a series of yes/no questions, the students had to work together to uncover clues and try to guess each person’s career before the big reveal.

And what a range of careers there was!

We were incredibly fortunate to welcome:

• Bryleigh Scannell – Plumbing Apprentice, Foleys

• Brooke Morshuis – Owner, ITM

• Georgina Guthrie – Managing Director, Firebrand

• Amber Daniels – Senior Underground Geologist, Oceana Gold

• Mel Warhurst – Human Resources, Nomos One

• Sally Marr – Psychosocial Risk, Te Whatu Ora

• April Eden – Investment Advisor, Craigs Investment Partners

• Vanessa Clark – Skills Group

• Izzie Locker – Anaesthetic Technician, Te Whatu Ora

Following the reveal, students moved into smaller groups where they were able to spend time talking with each role model, hearing about what their work actually looks like, how they got there, the skills they use, what they enjoy, the challenges they face and the twists and turns their career journeys have taken so far.

One of the most important messages behind Inspiring the Future is that young people can only consider opportunities they know exist. For our Year 9 students, the morning was not about choosing a career or deciding exactly what they want to do when they leave school. Instead, it was about opening their eyes to possibilities, asking questions and discovering careers and pathways they may never have considered before.

It was also a wonderful reminder that career journeys are rarely perfectly straight. Different experiences, opportunities, people and decisions can all shape where we eventually end up and changing direction along the way is very much part of the journey.

Our students approached the morning with curiosity, enthusiasm and plenty of questions, and we were very proud of the way they represented Queen’s.

When the role models were asked what piece of advice they would give their Year 9 selves, the messages were very consistent, and included:

• Be brave, take chances and say yes to opportunities

• Be your authentic self - trust yourself and your skills

• Be persistent - just because someone else says you won’t be able to do something, doesn’t mean you can’t. And - if things don’t work the first time - it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to achieve that thing later or, in another way. Keep going and keep trying. Don’t give up at the first set-back.

• Do the things you love - identify the things that will make you happy and want to go to work each day.

• You will work with other people - learn how to speak with people, and how to support those around you and/or get support from people around you.

• Don’t assume things about people, and how they look or dress. Be open to everyone, and you can be who you want to be by being you - you don’t always need to fit a particular box to succeed.

• Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can’t do something because you are a woman!!!

A huge thank you to each of our role models for giving up their time to spend the morning with us. Sharing your stories, experiences and advice has a lasting impact. You may never know which conversation, career or piece of advice sparked an idea for one of our students and that is exactly what makes events like this so valuable.

Sometimes one conversation is all it takes to open up a whole new possibility.