11 Nov 2020

So, you’ve just finished high school. What now?

You’ve spent the last thirteen years with your head in the books. Maybe you’re burnt out and not keen to embark on this path for another 3 years at least, or perhaps you just didn’t quite vibe school. Despite what you might have been told, you don’t have to jump straight into uni and spend the next few years studying if you don’t want to. You can actually find a job you love, get great life experience without the crippling debt.

Follow your passions

We’re raised to believe that our main goal in life is to earn enough money to be comfortable. Too many of us choose a career path that is safe. We go to uni because we didn’t know we had other options and it’s what people at our high school told us to do, and we choose jobs that bring in a pay cheque each week even if it doesn’t fulfil us.

Ever heard the old cringey saying “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”? Take it from us, it’s true.

Whether it be building things, helping others, managing projects. Find what you’re passionate about and you’ll love what you do.

Pay close attention to your hobbies and interests

Pick up some hobbies that you've always wanted to try and give them your best shot.

Maybe you'll figure out that you suck at guitar or despised hosting friend’s dinner and cooking for everyone. That's fine! You’ve gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette (pun intended).

By mucking about with these hobbies, you never had time for during high school, you might actually just find your passions.

Test the water

There’s no better way to figure out what you wanna do than dipping your toe in the water before jumping in the deep end head-first.

Volunteer at the vet or the childcare centre, do an internship for a company where your dream job would be, or even take a short course and upskill through VERTO training. This way you’ll get a taste of what a job is really like without wasting your time and money.

Research all your options

Research training courses, traineeships, apprenticeships and job routes, start building out a post-school plan. Watch some YouTube videos or webinars of people in a field that interests you, read articles, chat to people in the industry and ask where they got where they are now, even email around to get your mitts on any information you can.

 

You don’t have to go to uni or use your ATAR

Whether you’re a renowned ‘plant mum’ who wants to give landscaping or horticulture a crack or if you reckon you could be the next MasterChef, there’s apprenticeships offered in more than 500 occupations.

Beyond there just being a tonne of different options – unlike school and uni– you actually get hands-on and practical. Doing the things you’re interested in rather than just reading about it in a textbook.

If you're keen to get started and apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship check out VERTO. Or if you’re wanting to upskill, suss out VERTO Training.