CASE STUDY
Career Launchpad: Clean Economy
In a fast-paced, digital world, conversations are immeasurably important. Conversation can build a career pathway in the transition to a Clean Economy.
Partnership
We have lived through remarkable changes in societal structures: globally, nationally and locally. Jam-packed school curriculums and workforce development issues continue to limit how students can physically participate in career investigation activities. Additionally, high impact STEM focused multi-layered sectors such as the broad based Clean Economy are challenging to unpack. There’s a lot for schools and families to know and students are unaware of when and where to start considering a career in the Clean Economy.
Making clear connections between post-secondary university courses, research, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities is critical, so for our latest Career Launchpad focus, MTS approached Monash University's Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Engagement) to partner with us. The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Engagement) was invaluable – generating access to faculties, research hubs, Monash University spin-offs, and private sector organisations that were previously impossible to access.
Victoria’s transition to a Clean Economy will be all encompassing, with humanities, law, science, engineering, business and IT all contributing to the work required. The content and the challenges are dense, and the future workforce demands will be huge. The opportunities must be clearly and positively explained to students; if the sectors are to attract the brightest young minds to the task. So the right people from the leading organisations must be in the room, ready to answer questions in a safe and supportive environment.
Program
Career Launchpad was officially opened by Associate Professor Susie Ho, Monash University’s delegate at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Dr Ho’s remarks were precise, youth-focused, and optimistic - which set the tone for the positivity and energy in the room. Students worked in small groups and rotated through the spectacular Woodside Building meeting professionals, asking questions, unpacking assumptions, and practising and improving critical human and employability skills.
It was important to represent options that could be achieved via a University, TAFE or entrepreneurial pathway. The range of professionals and academics was vital in ensuring students left the event feeling informed there was an individual way forward for them, whether they wanted to work in a place-based local government initiative or for the United Nations in a global impact program. The width and breadth of opportunities were also reflected in the organisations and individuals who participated on the day.
Following the rotations, students joined industry professionals and academics for morning tea. They browsed a pop-up Monash University Course Fair, where they met student engagement staff while exploring faculties and courses supporting the transition to a Clean Economy. While Monash University offers a wonderful Open Day model, for many reasons not all prospective students want or can attend. Career Launchpad provided an alternative model for students to experience all the positives of an Open Day, but in a relaxed, boutique environment, where they had access to lecturers, researchers and course advisors. A huge value add was being able to meet prospective employers, which provided a logical pathway model, with all the steps represented: from secondary school to study, possible post-graduate study and ultimately employment supporting the transition to a Clean Economy.
From start to finish, Career Launchpad encouraged the “where to from here” conundrum, demonstrating who, what, why, and how students could contribute to the transition whilst building a rewarding and meaningful career.
Outcomes
Career Launchpad is a deceptively simple model - with no formal presentations, panels or long speeches – the entire session relies on the power of unscripted conversation. As a model, it relies on all participants to be brave, kind and non-judgmental. The smiles, the leaning in and the hum of conversation in the room demonstrated the willingness of students and professionals to meet and inspire each other in a very special careers event.
