Survey shows most Kiwis would change their career

Survey shows most Kiwis would change their career decisions if they could

More than half of New Zealand professionals would turn back the clock and change their career paths if they could, a new survey by not-for profit the Workchoice Trust has revealed.

The survey, completed by over 200 mainly university-educated professionals, showed that there was a lack of early career guidance, with 82% of respondents saying they didn’t have a clear understanding of their chosen career path at the time of leaving school or graduating.

The CEO of the Workchoice Trust, Kathy McCombe, says, “The survey has confirmed the importance of programmes such as our Workchoice Day, and how critical it is that young people have the opportunity to talk to people in the work place prior to embarking on career decision-making.”

With Workchoice Day, an annual event held in May, the Workchoice Trust sends thousands of year 12 students into businesses to learn about their fields of interest and help them make informed career decisions.

A large majority of the professionals surveyed, 79%, said they felt they had poor access to careers advice at high school. The Workchoice Trust is the only nationwide programme giving students the opportunity to see the realities of industry at work for one day a year.

A third of respondents said they had changed careers three times or more. Tony Collins, CEO of the Northland Chamber of Commerce, which distributed the survey to its members, says that having several career changes is the norm, but it helps to know what opportunities are available from the very beginning.

“The smooth transition from school to the workplace helps ensure a positive start to a person’s working life,” he says. “Workchoice Day is yet another element in building a more capable and more productive workforce.”

When asked what career advice they would give their 18-year-old selves, more than half of those surveyed said they would research their options extensively. As one respondent remarked, “There are a lot more jobs out there than are talked about.”

The Workchoice Trust welcomes businesses from a wide variety of industries. Says McCombe, “The more experiences on offer for students the more it helps them choose the right career path.

“These businesses will all need these students one day; they are the future workforce after all.”

Workchoice Day also helps achieve the third National Education Goal, according to Maggie Hames, Director of Careers at Auckland Girls’ Grammar.

Hames says, "Workchoice Day directly addresses New Zealand's National Education Goals 'to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed by New Zealanders to compete successfully in the modern, ever-changing world.' "

SURVEY RESULTS IN BRIEF:

• 52% said they would change the career path they chose when leaving high school.
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• 82% didn’t feel, at the time, they had a clear understanding of the career path they chose upon leaving school/graduating.
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• 79% Didn’t feel they had adequate access to good careers advice at high school.
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• 37% of respondents are not working in the same field in which they studied or trained.
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• 35% had changed careers three times or more, 57% twice or more.
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• 61% of respondents had a university degree.
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• 42% had an annual income above $70,000. A further 29% fell into the $50k-$69k bracket.
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The survey was completed by 229 people from all over the country, all of whom were (or had been) in the workforce. 91% of respondents were over the age of 24, and there were fairly even numbers spread across the age brackets above this. Specifically, age spread of the respondents is as follows: 18-24 years, 9%; 25-34 years, 34%; 35-49 years, 32%; 50+ 25%.

WHAT CAREER ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER A SCHOOL LEAVER TODAY? – SOME RESPONSES

“Talk to people already in the profession you are after.”

“Think really hard about the decision as it is expensive and time-consuming to start and then change your mind.”

“Talk to everyone about what they do for a job - there are so many jobs that aren't talked about.”

“Follow your heart but also try to learn as much as possible about all the career options available as you would be surprised at how many things you're naturally good at but no one told you about it!”

“Do not restrict your options - be open. Studying the subject matter and working in the industry could be quite different.”

“Find out about as many different careers as possible by talking to people, don't restrict yourself just to considering subjects at school that you were good at, get feedback from others as to your strengths etc.”

“Work experience is just as, if not more important, than your degree/qualifications. I would recommend keeping qualifications general but getting work experience - unpaid if you have to - in your preferred field while at college/university. Worth its weight in gold.”

“Keep your choices open, perhaps work in the industry you think you want to study in first, starting at entry level, and ensure your decision is the correct one!”

“Learn, experiment, explore, gain qualifications, take risks.”

“Take advantage of any opportunity to talk to people working in fields which might interest you.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Workchoice Trust was established in 1994. In 1995, it launched Workchoice Day, a programme designed to give Year 12 students career exposure and help them make informed decisions about where they are headed with their career.

Workchoice Day is held annually and on a national basis, offering a link between New Zealand'¬s future workforce and employers by sending students on workplace visits and enabling them to gather knowledge first hand and share experiences of people employed in their field of interest.

Since 1995 132,000 students have participated in Workchoice Day.

Workchoice Day 2011 will be held on Tuesday 17 May.

The Workchoice Trust is registered as a charitably entity with the Charities Commission.

For more information see www.workchoice.co.nz.

ENDS

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