Preparing students for a changing world of work
Sandy Cran, Careers Advisor
As technology reshapes the workforce, Ormond’s Careers Team is helping students navigate change by connecting them with alumni, mentors and opportunities – preparing them not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of meaningful work.
Thursday 21 December 2023 • 5 minute read
The Careers Team at Ormond is committed to helping students build the community they need to thrive in a rapidly changing technology-driven world.Discovering your calling and building a meaningful career is one of life’s big challenges, and for some people, a lifelong journey. Part of the joy of my role, as Ormond’s Careers Advisor, is supporting students at that exciting point of transition from university to work.It is well known that over 70 percent of jobs are not publicly advertised and that access to a strong network of mentors and peers has always played an important role in helping a successful career transition. A large part of what makes Ormond so special is that the alumni community has always been happy to ‘pay it forward’ and help create opportunities for Ormond students.
However, the current pace of change in all spheres of life, is making the world of work today more complicated. There are a several forces at play: advances in technology prompting businesses to rethink their operating models, a growing gig economy, a Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills shortage in Australia, and employers looking for ways to meet the needs of a workforce looking for increasing flexibility. People at every level - within governments, businesses, and community groups, across industries, are all contending with the question of what the workforce of the future looks like, and what it means for employees.Now more than ever, it is important for us to foster an authentic link between our alumni community and current students. It is through the lived experience and guidance of alumni that we can try to help students connect the dots between their degree, their strengths and talents and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.We have a suite of programs that we facilitate, from technical skills workshops, to those that focus on people-to-people connections, encouraging alumni to return to Ormond to talk about their careers and life experiences. This offers Ormond students unique insights into
potential career paths and puts them in control of their career decisions. We have hosted Ormondians representing their employer, with backgrounds as diverse as management consulting, government, sciences and the not-for-profit sector.
potential career paths and puts them in control of their career decisions. We have hosted Ormondians representing their employer, with backgrounds as diverse as management consulting, government, sciences and the not-for-profit sector.
Would you like to ‘pay it forward’?
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining us for a World of Work breakfast event or evening panel. Make a positive impact on the lives of students by sharing your experience and wisdom.