From designing cutting-edge games to saving lives as a paramedic, more than 200 young school students will get a taste of what their futures could hold at a University of the Sunshine Coast expo tomorrow (Friday 25 November).

USC will stage the Smart Steps: Jobs to Go expo at its Sippy Downs campus for Year 5 students from Kawana Waters State College, Nambour State College and Taigum State School.
 
USC Access and Diversity Coordinator Veronica Sanmarco said the hands-on career immersion day would allow students to experience a wide range of occupations.

“Students will discover what it is like to work as a paramedic, lawyer, art curator, games designer, journalist, scientist, animal ecologist and many other professions,” Ms Sanmarco said.

“The aim of Smart Steps is to raise the ambitions of these 10 and 11 year olds by exposing them to some of the many exciting and interesting careers and educational choices open to them when they leave school.”

Ms Sanmarco said research had shown that Year 5 was the optimum year level to encourage students to start planning their future careers.

The practical career development program includes three weeks of classroom activities in conjunction with the expo.

“Smart Steps enhances connections between classroom learning with practical, hands-on demonstrations of a diverse range of jobs,” Ms Sanmarco said.

“This helps to inspire a positive attitude toward the qualifications that these roles require.”

Smart Steps was made possible through funding from the Federal Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program.

— Clare McKay