Careers
Where can I find information about career and study options for when I leave school?
(Years 11-13)
Image: Careers blackboard by GotCredit on Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. Image cropped.
Entry last updated: 18/07/25
Introduction
A career is more than just a job or having work. Having a career means working in an industry or occupation for a long time and becoming successful in that profession. This could be in a particular role, like as an engineer or professional sports player, or it might be in the form of many different jobs across a certain sector like health, education or hospitality.
Career planning
Choosing a career can feel overwhelming. A well thought-out plan will help you make the best decisions for you. You could start by talking to your family or an adult you trust, and to school career advisors. These sites have lots of information about how to plan your next steps.
This site is from the Ministry of Education and is designed for students to help them think through career options for when they finish school.
Look down the page and follow the link for Vocational Pathways to see different types of careers.
Open the section called How Vocational Pathways can help if you're a student.
Try the Vocational Pathways Profile Builder to see how NCEA subjects can help towards your future career.
Tips: A website’s address (URL) can give you a hint about how reliable it is. This website includes .education.govt.nz in the URL, which means that it comes from the New Zealand Ministry of Education.
This site is from the Tertiary Education Commission and has a variety of information to help you with your career planning.
Go to Plan your career.
Select Get ideas for your career.
From here you can explore different ideas and possibilities for your career.
This website brings together lots of resources and links from different government organisations about finding the right career.
Look under Support for you.
Choose Careers advice, CVs and more.
Select Deciding your next steps.
Tips: We like sites like this because they’re reliable. You can tell because of their web address – they have either .govt or .ac, meaning they are from government or educational organisations. They’re also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.
Study, training and further education
Some professions need a specific qualification to enter. With others you get trained while you work on the job. These resources will guide you to information to help decide which option might work for you.
This New Zealand government website has advice on all aspects of study, including which education providers offer which courses.
Choose Study and training.
Select Study and training options.
From here you can look at different possibilities, including about apprenticeships, studying at wānanga, and attending universities. There is also information on this site about ways to fund your study and training.
The Connected website also has information about education and training options in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Look under Support for you.
Select the option you're interested in.
This site is from Mana Tahu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Qualifications Authority. It has lots of information about study options for school leavers.
Go to Mātauranga matua | Tertiary.
Select Find a tertiary education provider and choose the part of the country where you want to study.
Tips: If a website is new to you, you can check out the About us link, if you can find one. That should tell you what the organisation's mission and values are.
Finding a job
When you are looking for work, it's good to show possible employers what your skills, experience and qualifications are. This is usually presented in the form of a Curriculum Vitae (CV), sometimes called a resume. These sites will help you think through what you have to offer employers, how to create your own CV and where to look for jobs.
If you are interested in a particular workplace or organisation, try looking for job opportunities on their website.
This Ministry of Education website has lots of information to help with next steps after leaving school, including looking for a job.
Select Getting a job.
Choose Skills, knowledge and experience to find out how your skills could help you find work.
Look at Applying for a job for lots of great tips and advice around the application process.
Check out this site to find information about CV writing and skills to job applications and cover letters.
Look under Tools and choose CV Builder.
Then select Get Started.
You will need to sign in or create an account.
Tips: We like sites like this because they’re reliable. You can tell because of their web address – they have either .govt or .ac, meaning they are from government or educational organisations. They’re also New Zealand sites, so relevant for us.
Seek is one of the most well known New Zealand websites where employers can advertise jobs and job-seekers can search and apply for jobs online. The site also has career advice and tips for how to find work.
Look under Career advice and select Job Hunting.
This has ideas for finding a job and going through the application process, including writing cover letters and preparing for interviews.
Look down for the First job section for lots of extra tips and information about finding a job and starting work.
Tips: Websites that have .com or .co in the address can have good information, but you need to assess how reliable it is. Check the About link on this website, if you can find one. That can tell you what the company’s mission and values are.
Books
There are a number of books that could help you plan your career. Look at your local public library or school library to see what is available. Here are a few recommended titles:
What colour is your parachute? For teens discover yourself, design your future, and plan your dream job by Carol Christen.
Careers : the ultimate guide to planning your future by Sarah Pawlewski.
Sort your career out : & make more money by Shelley Johnson and Glen James.
Skills for success : personal development and employability by Stella Cottrell.
