GOLD COAST CAREERS FESTIVAL

The 2024 Gold Coast Careers Festival has wrapped up for another year. Thank you for all the attendees, the exhibitors and the venue for your support. 
The 5 winners of the Career Support Grants have been announced, please check your email to see if you are one of the lucky recipients.  We're already looking forward to next year's event.
If you're interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Gold Coast Careers Festival? please contact [email protected]

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL?

YOUR CHANCE TO MEET AND SPEAK WITH EDUCATORS, LOCAL EMPLOYERS, INDUSTRY BODIES AND TRAINING PROVIDERS UNDER ONE ROOF. 

  • Find out about studying at Griffith University, Bond University, Southern Cross University and TAFE Queensland 
  • Visit exhibitors from a wide range of institutions to learn more about possible study options 
  • Information on Courses / Training / Apprenticeships and Traineeships
  • Real Jobs on Offer: Speak to Gold Coast employers to hear about opportunities – both current and future 
  • FREE Informative Seminars: Hear directly from current students on stage panels.
  • FREE Entertaining Stage Demonstrations
  • FREE Career Advice: Speak with a Career Advisor about your career direction, job search or bring your resume for review
  • FREE Resume Advice
  • FREE Career Development Workshops

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VISITOR INFORMATION

The Gold Coast Careers Festival is one of the largest events of its kind in Queensland, drawing thousands of visitors each year. Whether you’re a high school student, parent, career changer or job seeker, the Gold Coast Careers Festival gives you access to a diverse collective of educators, career specialists, industry experts, guest speakers and employers through an informative, interactive and engaging experience. 

While the Gold Coast Careers Festival is open to anyone across the duration of the event, the Thursday evening session is tailored towards career changers, job seekers and parents of school students, offering the opportunity for one-on-one consultations with career specialists, guest speakers and presentations in a more relaxed environment. 

Visitors to the Thursday evening session of the Gold Coast Careers Festival also have the exclusive opportunity of entering the draw to win one of five $1,000 career support grants, which can be used towards, tuition costs, professional development, tools of the trade, or school fees. 

If you are planning on attending the Thursday evening session (4pm – 7pm) we highly recommend you to register prior to attending. Walk in appointments with a career specialist are available when attending the event. 

FREE EVENT:

The event is free to enter. Register prior or on arrival at the venue.

WHEN:

Thursday 2 May 2024 | 9am to 7pm

Friday 3 May 2024 | 9am to 3pm

WHERE:

Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre
296 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211

PARKING: 

Free parking is available at the venue. 

Meet our inspiring speakers

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Thursday 2 May - 8:00am Opening Event

Josh Farr – Founder, Campus Consultancy

Josh Farr founded Campus Consultancy in 2017 on the insight that, “Better student leaders make university better for everyone.” A two time TEDx speaker, Australia Business Journals #1 Student Leadership Coach, and Founder of one of ABR’s Best Businesses in Australia, Josh has worked with more than 60,000 leaders around the country. 

In his keynote presentation Innovate or Stagnate, Josh poses the question: What would it look like to embrace innovation as a daily task for every member of your team? With no shortage of entrepreneurs and social changemakers who have welcomed the idea that not taking risk is the biggest risk of all, and that in order to stand out, get on top and stay on top, Josh argues that we must continue to think differently to ensure a clear path forward for a better future. 

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Thursday 2 May - 5:00pm

Simon Gibson, AceGrad

Graduate Programs – What are they and how to get one

Simon is the Director and Founder of AceGrad, a Brisbane-based recruitment and consulting company connecting students with corporate employers. Simon has run large scale national Graduate Programs across a variety of industries since 2012. Simon was on the Board of Directors of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers and now runs his own company within early careers. One of Simon’s ambitions is to empower university students across Australia to make informed choices and be confident job seekers. 

Audun Fiskerud

Thursday 2 May - 6:00pm

Audun Fiskerud - EnergyLab Program Lead

How to Make an Entrepreneurial Mindset Your Career Superpower

The future of work is rapidly changing, but one fact is crystal clear, the demand for creative problem solving and an entrepreneurial mindset will increasingly be in demand. Join innovation expert and entrepreneurship educator Audun Fiskerud to explore how thinking like an entrepreneur will equip you for future career success, whatever that future looks like. 

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Thursday 2 May - 6:30pm

Councillor Naomi Fowler

The power of effective communication for career success

Naomi is a Gold Coast local who attended schools at Oxenford and Helensvale before studying journalism and obtaining her Masters degree at Griffith University.

Naomi is a communication professional who started her own communication firm on the Gold Coast 15 years ago. She was awarded the Gold Coast Business Achiever of the Year at the Gold Coast Women in Business of the Year Awards, and after winning the Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year three years in a row, Naomi was then awarded the Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year which led to her business receiving national recognition and being acquired. Naomi achieved all of this while raising her young family.

In 2024, Naomi ran an enormously successful campaign in the local government election, winning Division 2 with over 70% of the vote.

During The power of effective communication for career success, Naomi will draw on her success in communication and public relations to illustrate the importance of effective communication and how it can translate into career and business success.

STAGE SCHEDULE

Career ASPIRATIONS

The Gold Coast is a rapidly growing, dynamic city offering a multitude of employment opportunities with many pathways to achieve your career goals. Everybody’s needs and circumstances are different and sometimes it can be challenging to navigate your way along your career journey. The Festival highlight some of the journeys our students have taken to realise their career aspirations. Their stories may inspire you to follow your dream.

 

 

Blake Skuse Bachelor of Education

Blake Skuse | Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Education

From a young age, Blake was drawn to teaching. After testing out a few different career paths, he decided education was where he felt he could make a difference.

“I’ve always wanted to help people, especially children,” Blake said. “When I was in school I had always been an anxious kid and someone who needed assistance but didn’t want to put my hand up and ask for it. So, I want to become a teacher to make an environment that I wish I was in as a child – somewhere that’s supportive and positive.”

“I really think it starts with the teacher and how passionate they are and how much they care about their students.”

Blake is now incorporating that passion into the classroom during his placement experiences.

“I think teaching is about setting the foundation and then adapting as you go because each student is different. Being a good teacher is not just about education but creating a safe learning environment.”

Georgie Collis Bachelor of OT

Georgie Collis | Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (OT)

Georgie is passionate about working in a person-centred healthcare role.

“I’m definitely a people-person and so I chose to study OT because it’s such a holistic way to help people by looking at all the different elements in their life – their social support, their environment, their body and mind, and how you can best help them to regain function or gain function for the first time. When I graduate, I’d like to work in a hospital setting in a multidisciplinary team.”

“I love the course, it’s a very personable environment where I feel like I know a lot of the teachers and my fellow students, with fantastic student support and a beautiful location. I’ve signed up to be on the OT student committee, and it's such a community-driven university, which I really like.”

Late last year, Georgie fulfilled her personal goal of running in the New York Marathon, and in doing so, she raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – she’s had diabetes since the age of one.

Georgie is one of the three proud Southern Cross University students awarded the 2024 International Women’s Day scholarship.  

Emma Flori Cabinet Making TAFE Queensland

Emma Flori | Tafe Queensland

Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology

EMMA ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO PURSUE TRADE CAREERS

Before picking up the tools, Emma faced the universal dilemma of choosing a career path. She was drawn to the idea of engaging in physical work but was unsure which direction to take. A visit to TAFE Queensland’s Ashmore campus marked a pivotal moment for Emma, and became the turning point in her career.

“Among all the different trade areas of electrotechnology, plumbing, automotive, carpentry and engineering, it was cabinet making that resonated with me. It just really stuck with me," said Emma. Emma is now thriving as first year apprentice at Joinery Eleven on the Gold Coast, while completing a Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology at TAFE Queensland’s Ashmore campus.

 

Georgina Morris Bachelor of Pharmacy

GEORGINA MORRIS | Griffith University

Bachelor of Pharmacy

'My long-term career goal is to help create positive change in the wellbeing of the wider Aboriginal community. I decided to study pharmacy to get a deep understanding of medicine and patient care. I aim to combine theoretical and practical skills from my degree with my drive to better understand the needs of Aboriginal communities to contribute to closing the gap in health and life expectancy.'

Georgina is a Kamilaroi woman, completing her Bachelor of Pharmacy with distinction in 2021, and the following year Georgina was named the Pharmacy Guild of Australia / MIMS Intern of 2022. During her third year at Griffith, Georgina completed a rural placement in Bowen where she is currently working as a pharmacist.

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KAITLIN WEEKES | Griffith University

Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Kaitlin Weekes recently graduated with a double degree in psychology and criminology, securing a role with the Queensland Police Service after being mentored by retired Police Inspector and fellow Griffith graduate Rob McCall. Griffith was one of the first universities in Australia to recognise the importance of providing industry mentors with the Industry Mentoring Program. “The industry mentoring program changed my life. Being mentored gave me confidence and the positivity to move ahead,” Kaitlin says. “Rob was incredibly helpful. The rapport between us was very open. And I think I needed someone that helped me recognise my strengths and weaknesses to further my career journey.”

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