CareerFit 2025: empowering the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

We recently wrapped up our annual CareerFit program, four-day journey designed to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through career workshops and personal growth.

Inspiration and Industry Immersion

Throughout the program, our young participants immersed themselves in a dynamic schedule, engaging with industry mentors and exploring a diverse array of career pathways. A standout moment was our “Meet the Mentors” session, where students heard directly from young Indigenous professionals who shared their unique journeys to success. Our participants then dove into a wide variety of workshops with leading organisations.

At Opera Australia, they gained an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative powerhouses shaping performances, with a guided tour of workshops, rehearsal studios, and wardrobe.

TAL hosted a “Careers Fitness Workshop” that combined games and activities to help students discover their strengths and explore career possibilities, leaving them with a foundational resume and a personalised mentor map.

Meanwhile, at Nestlé, young people participated in a “Native Muesli Bar Masterclass,” creating their own muesli bars infused with native ingredients like lemon myrtle and wattleseed, while also meeting experts in nutrition, marketing, and sustainability.

The program also challenged our young people to think big and get hands-on.

At DLA Piper, they pitched innovative business ideas in the “Young Entrepreneurs” workshop, learning the essentials of launching a side hustle or building an online brand.

Cummins offered an engaging “Lego Workshop,” where participants built working Lego engines, providing a fun and interactive introduction to engineering. As one student enthused, “It was a great and engaging way to introduce people to engineering.”

At Qube, students explored the diverse world of logistics, hearing from leaders across various departments and gaining insights into opportunities in transport, marketing, human resources, and health and safety.

Towards the end of the week, participants gained further insights into finance and career skills.

At Firetrail Investments, they engaged in “League and Life Skills,” a fast-paced game of NRL team selection that taught them about salary caps and teamwork.

Barrenjoey presented “What Do Finance and Lollies Have in Common?”, a fun and engaging session that introduced key financial concepts through trivia and games, with the added bonus of lollies and prizes.

Finally, at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), students gained valuable insights into higher education and career success, exploring faculty areas, courses, and programs available for Indigenous students through the Jumbunna Institute.

Cultural Connection and Personal Growth

Beyond career exploration, the program deeply integrated cultural connection. At Eora TAFE, students participated in hands-on learning experiences, from crafting their own clap sticks in a traditional woodworking workshop to designing and printing personalised canvas bags in an interactive printmaking session. This celebrated culture, self-expression, and cultural pride.

Each evening, participants had the chance to unwind and connect. This included everything from laser tag battles and arcade games to a well-deserved trip to the footy to watch the Bulldogs vs Dolphins! These moments were crucial for recharging and fostering strong bonds among the group.

A Bright Future Ahead

The week culminated in a vibrant Career Expo, where all participating partners, joined by others from UGL, Canva, the Department of Education, City of Sydney, and Sydney University, came together to share insights and opportunities with the students. This inspiring event marked a big finish to an incredible week of growth, exploration, and connection.

A huge thank you to all our partners and supporters for helping empower the next generation of Indigenous leaders.