Case study: Frankie

Frankie is a 20-year-old from regional NSW studying science at university. When we met she was starting to think about post university career opportunities. Penultimate year internships were fast approaching, and she was thinking about how to give herself the edge with potential employers.

Our first step, considering Frankie’s education and interests, was to work out her vision for the future. Who was she and where would she would be in 5- and 10-years’ time? Where was she living, what kind of income did she have? What did herlifestyle look like? You can follow the path to success if you don’t know where the destination is.

We looked at her study successes and challenges, including a previous change in degree from Software Engineering to Science after her first year. We used a questionnaire that matches interests to potential education, career and recreational activities that helped us explore interests that she may not have thought of. So she could see much more clearly the type of work environment and work style that would suit her.

A simple SWOT analysis helped Frankie reflect on her journey to date and the pathway forward.

Different organisations have different cultures and ways of working. Frankie’s understanding of these differences began to grow. She realised how her own actions were an interaction between her personality and the environment in which she worked, and how this influences job satisfaction, performance, and career stability. We identified occupations that matched Frankie’s interests – which of those are a good career fit and which are better as a hobby.

Frankie is organised, efficient, and accurate in her work so we looked at potential careers in areas like operations and management consulting with a technology focus. With a broader view of her skills and interests, Frankie could see how she could combine her analytical, independent, and research-oriented nature with interests in other parts of her life, like surf life saving and first aid.

With the path ahead clearer, her subject selection was more obvious. She added some technology subjects to the mix. In internship interviews, she could use the right technology language in interview role-play questions, putting her ahead of the pack. She also applied for internships in financial organisations because she had a new perspective on her skills and interests that was broader than just straight science.

Frankie was offered the perfect internship position that kicks off in January 2021. Internships allow you to apply your learning in real-life situations and gain practical experience and skills in the world of work.

If you are unsure of which subjects will help you get the career you are after or are uncertain about the world of work in general, get in touch.