STYLISH EDGE: Rachelle Dallas, of Moruya TAFE’s hairdressing department, displays some hairdressing finesse to Carroll College students Makayla Brown (left) and Sharmay Brierley.
IT was history in the making for the 27th Careers Market, held at Moruya showground yesterday.
The event started in 1985 with about 20 presenters. Moruya High School careers advisor Mike Dent was pleased to announce yesterday’s expo had about 65 presenters.
Gone are the days when students wanting top career opportunities had to travel to Sydney or Canberra for hands -on information.
Moruya High School Year 10 student Jack McLucas found the Moruya market even more helpful than he expected.
“I want to get into the Australian Navy, and I got signed up for an interview with them,” he said.
“I will be eligible to join when I turn 17, and the interview is to find out what I would like to do. It was a pretty good day and it was exciting to see heaps of people there. It was inspiring and it gave us a much clearer look at our future options.”
Fellow Moruya High School Year 10 student Stephanie Bond wants to pursue a career in child care.
“It was good and I enjoyed all the displays,” she said.
Carroll College’s year 10 students had similar feelings about the day.
“It was very informative, and we got a lot of benefit from it and a heavy bag at the end of the day,” Alex Trakula said.
“The people were very open and helpful.”
Fellow Carroll student Melissa Pradmuang said the market was a “real eye-opener” while Samantha Law said the day was “very informative”.
“It showed us a lot of different options and it was quite fun,” she said.
The Moruya market is also easier for students to access information than at larger ones, Mr Dent said.
“Ours is great because (presenters) have a table. It’s quite daunting when you go to the big ones,” he said. “Here they have the opportunity to stop and talk to presenters.
“It’s just a fantastic opportunity for our kids.”
Years 11 and 12 senior students were able to grasp possible career opportunities in the way of apprenticeships and university degrees, while Years Nine and 10 were able to use it to help choose what subjects they may need to complete in their senior years.
Mr Dent said one of his secrets was organising the event one day before or after the huge careers market in Canberra.
“We’ve been able to tap into those presenters that come to us on the Tuesday,” he said.
Mr Dent said the market wasn’t just about helping students.
“It’s a big thing from a business point of view,” he said, “it brings a whole lot of money to the town.”
He said some presenters and schools would have had to stay overnight.
Students travelled all the way from Eden and Bega in the south.
While the market also used to attract schools as far north as Nowra, Mr Dent said there were now big markets in Wollongong.
At yesterday’s event, there were tables from universities, allied health services to encourage students into aged care and ambulance services, BlueScope Steel, agriculture colleges, the Australian Defence Force, TAFE, training providers, Teachers NSW, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the “Try-a-Trade” truck.