It is not unusual for a teenager to have no idea about what job they'd like to do one day, but one program is making the process a little easier.
Sutherland Shire Council is supporting the Exploring Futures Program, a collaboration with Southern Sydney Business Education Network (SSBEN).
The project is run by CareerHQ, to help students identify potential career paths.
A total of 12 schools have so far signed up.
The project is a one-hour career-mapping workshop for year 10 students that matches skills and interests to a range of possible career paths. It provides data to assist schools and communities best support those aspirations.
Sutherland mayor Carmelo Pesce encourages more schools to get involved.
"This is a great tool for students to help match their interests to a short-list of career and study options," he said.
"With the information provided, schools can better support students with their subject choices, course decisions and help guide them towards the best tertiary study or post-school activity to achieve their goals.
"In addition to that, career trends identified by the Exploring Futures Project will enable the council to support students' aspirations and the needs of our local economy, allowing us to advocate for new and relevant courses to meet the needs of our young people."
Lucas Heights Community School careers advisor, Sherrie Eagles, says the program is a great way to kickstart career lessons.
"Students found the CareerHQ website user-friendly and easy to navigate and loved being able to download their own individual report at the end," Ms Eagles said.
"As a careers adviser the results seem to reflect our school community and will assist me in delivering my program more effectively.
Jess Pollard from CareerHQ says the team is excited to be part of the project to map the skills and career interests of young adults in Sutherland Shire.
"The real strength of this project is that it directly benefits everyone involved as schools get access to unique school-wide career interests data, students get access to free career exploration workshops and the map we create will help to inform local support and events," Mrs Pollard said.
"We're looking forward to learning more about the skills and career interests of Sutherland Shire youth and helping to share their collective voice with the local community."
Chief executive of SSBEN Diana Lang says by mapping the career interests of students, resources can be directed where they are needed.
"Collaborative partnerships like these are vitally important for creating opportunities for young people," she said.
"The insights we gain allow us to tailor career engagement programs for students which prepare them for future work and/or further education.
"This then helps to create a skilled workforce which contributes to the needs of our local economy."
