Careers Expo Inspires Year 10 Students at Centenary Heights
Centenary Heights State High School came alive with possibility as students explored a world of career opportunities at the annual Careers Expo. With 51 exhibitors from across Toowoomba and beyond, this event gave every Year 10 student the chance to connect directly with industry professionals, ask questions, and discover pathways they may never have considered before.
Guided by Industry Liaison Officers Kayla Ferguson and Mandy Robinson, the Careers Expo is about more than simply collecting brochures—it’s about helping young people match their interests with real-world opportunities. For many, it’s the first step in shaping their post-school journey.
From Trades to Tertiary & Uni – Options for Every Interest
Inside the Expo, students could explore a diverse range of industries—NDIS services, real estate, law, childcare, communications, the Defence Force, and police, alongside Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Popular trade pathways such as building, civil construction, diesel fitting, and engineering were represented by leading local employers.
Whether students were interested in pursuing a trade, stepping into healthcare, studying law, or entering a creative industry, there was someone here ready to answer their questions and share what it’s really like to work in that field.
A Special Focus: International Students
While the Careers Expo is designed for all Year 10 students, a special focus this year was on international students—including those in Toowoomba as part of the school’s dedicated International Program and students from the EALD (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) and refugee programs.
Interpreters were on hand to support students from non-English speaking backgrounds, ensuring they could fully engage in conversations with exhibitors and understand the wide range of options available to them.
Mandy Robinson explains:
“In many countries, university is seen as the only pathway after school. Part of our role is to help international students understand that in Australia, there are many other equally valuable options—such as traineeships,
Kayla Ferguson adds that Toowoomba’s reputation as a safe, welcoming, and education-focused city makes it an attractive study destination for students from all over the world:
“Education is always the number one priority, but care—the support students receive both inside and outside the classroom—is just as important. That’s something Toowoomba does exceptionally well.”
Building Confidence and Connections
For some international students, the Careers Expo is their first time meeting local industry representatives face-to-face. It’s an opportunity not only to learn about career options but also to practice professional conversations, build confidence, and see themselves as part of the Toowoomba community.
Events like this remind us that career planning is not just about the next step—it’s about opening doors to a lifetime of opportunity. With the support of dedicated Industry Liaison Officers and the Toowoomba business community, these students—both local and international—are better equipped to make informed decisions about their futures.
