More than 600 students from both Liston College and St Dominic’s College had an amazing opportunity to discover future possibilities at a Senior Combined Careers Expo on Thursday last week. From media and tourism to health and construction, more than 40 exhibitors were on hand to advise our Year 11, 12 and 13 students. Each year level attended an hour-long session accompanied by staff during the school day. Held in St Dominic’s Gabriel Gill Hall,  this experience was aimed at broadening students’ understanding of different career pathways and industries (some they may not have considered) and helping them investigate avenues for tertiary study, training and employment. Those represented included universities, trades organisations, private training establishments, technology institutes, the New Zealand Defence Force and Police. 

A highlight was the ten industries with local representatives including Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Fulton Hogan, Heinz Watties, McDonalds, Pipeline and Civil, Barfoot and Thompson, Whakaata Māori (Māori TV), Landscape Solutions, Go With Tourism and Rhema Media. Students were able to find out more about how to enter the workforce, training programmes and opportunities for graduates. Barcats Hospitality and Red Badge Security were also on hand to talk to students about part-time work openings.  There were lots of activities for students to experience including using VR goggles, doing press up challenges at the Police stand and trying out being a TV presenter on camera using an autocue. 

This Expo was co-organised by Liston’s Careers Advisor Sarah Shepheard and St Dominic’s Head of Careers Anna Dykgraaf. A big thanks to St Dominic’s for providing the gym as a wonderful venue for the event. Many thanks also to Liston’s Mr Willie Swann and his team of 15 Prefects and Justice Leaders who arrived at 7am to help set up. Overall, a very successful day with students and staff alike commenting positively afterwards about what a worthwhile experience it had been for all concerned.

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