CareerFit 2026: Inspiring future pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Transitioning from high school to the professional world can feel like navigating uncharted territory. For around 80 incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 9 to 12 from across New South Wales, that bridge to the future became clearer and much more exciting.

Last month, NASCA hosted its annual CareerFit in Sydney: a fast-paced, four-day immersive experience designed to connect Indigenous young people with industry leaders, practical career pathways, and cultural traditions.

Here is how our future changemakers spent an unforgettable week expanding their horizons, stepping out of their comfort zones, and building their professional networks:

Day 1: Connection and Culture

The week kicked off with a sense of community as students arrived from every corner of the state, from Ballina to Kanahooka, from Brewarrina to Orange. 

After a powerful Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country by Uncle Matthew Doyle & Josh Sly and an orientation session with the NASCA team, students returned to the hotel for a dinner and games night, the perfect icebreaker to forge new friendships before the busy days ahead.

Day 2: Corporate Deep Dives 

Wednesday was all about corporate discovery, with students splitting into groups to visit the offices of major Australian and global organisations:

• At Nestlé, students unlocked their culinary creativity by crafting their own bliss balls and muesli bars infused with native Australian ingredients
  
• Barrenjoey took the mystery out of financial markets, hosting a high-energy pop culture quiz and a fast-paced trading game
  
• At IAG (Insurance Australia Group), students participated in a unique LEGO workshop to design safe, inclusive workplaces, followed by interview preparation
  
• The afternoon saw students collaborate with TAL Australia’s Graduate cohort to discover personal strengths and build post-school confidence
  
• At Qube, students learned about the massive scale of national logistics and got creative by producing educational TikTok videos about the transport industry
  
• Firetrail Investments combined sports and strategy, tasking students with building an NRL fantasy team while strictly managing a salary cap.

The rewarding day concluded with a trip to the Entertainment Quarter for dinner and games.

Day 3: Entrepreneurship, Design, and Cultural Arts

Thursday morning pushed creative and strategic boundaries even further with a brand-new set of diverse industry workshops:

• At UTS with Jumbunna and the support of Lendlease, students unlocked their creativity alongside Indigenous student ambassadors and celebrated designer Alison Page
  
• Cummins Inc. brought engineering to life, challenging students to build working LEGO engines while mapping out global careers in logistics and design
  
• Over at DLA Piper, students gained entrepreneurial inspiration, learning exactly what it takes to launch a side hustle, build a distinct brand, and conquer social media marketing
  
• Netball NSW opened doors to the sports industry, guiding students through the ins and outs of sports management, media production, and community event roles.

Culture in Action at NCIE

In the afternoon, everyone gathered at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) for a BBQ lunch, followed by cultural activities led by the NASCA Team. Students explored Digital Art using Procreate with freelance business owners Taela and Tshinta, practiced traditional Weaving to create unique bracelets with Rosie, and hit the field for Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) including Taktyerrain, Buroinjin, and Munhanganing.

The Careers Expo

The day concluded with a high-impact Networking Afternoon and Careers Expo. Students put their newly minted communication skills to the test, interacting one-on-one with corporate partners, asking insightful questions, and exploring future internships and apprenticeships. 

Day 4: Technology, Arts, and Next Steps

Before departing for home on Friday, students enjoyed one final round of site visits to experience the pinnacle of Sydney’s tech and arts sectors.

At Opera Australia, students went backstage to tour rehearsal studios and wardrobe departments, discovering the immense variety of practical and creative careers in the arts. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley challenged students with a hands-on Mergers & Acquisitions simulation that tested their critical thinking. At Canva’s global headquarters, students met the design team and created their own digital vision boards to take home.

After heartfelt goodbyes, coaches departed, marking the end of an incredible week.

A Heartfelt Thank You

An initiative of this scale is only possible because of our community of supporters. NASCA extends a massive thank you to all of our corporate partners, mentors, and staff who invested their time, expertise, and resources into empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

To our students: you brought immense energy, curiosity, and pride to every single session. We cannot wait to see where your career journeys take you next!