Career exploration through work experience, expos and online research
Your young person can make their career exploration enjoyable if they use these tools.
What's on this page?
Support your young person to find their future by helping them get work experience, attend career expos, and look for career information online.
Help them get work experience
Work experience is a great way for your young person to learn what’s involved in a job and it may lead to them choosing a career path.
Help them find work experience opportunities:
- check if they can work shadow (follow) you for a day
- contact their school to see if the Gateway programme is suitable for them
- ask friends or family members if they know of work experience opportunities
- search Volunteering New Zealand’s website for volunteer jobs.
Help them make the most of career expos and other events
Your young person will usually visit career expos with their school.
Career expos
Career expos bring together universities, Te Pūkenga, private training organisations, Defence Forces, and sometimes employers.
Help your young person prepare for an expo visit by listing questions they can ask training providers and employers. Use our expo planner to assist.
At the expo they can speak to people working in the industry they are interested in and take notes.
Tech Step
Have a look at the Tech Step website with your young person. It's for both school students exploring future careers and career changers.
It aims to empower women, Māori, Pacific Peoples and those with disabilities to explore digital technology careers.
The Tech Events section includes workshops, competitions and other events for young people.
Tech Flicks showcases Tech Ambassadors and their inspiring stories of New Zealanders in technology careers
Help them explore career ideas online
Exploring career resources online can help you talk about school leaving options. Our 'plan your career' section has information and planning activities.
Find out more
Updated 27 Oct 2023