Vanessa Lam
7 October 2016: Female high school students from across the ACT and surrounding region have been encouraged to pursue higher education as part of The Smith Family’s recent ‘From Schoolgirls to Career Women’ event.
Held at the University of Canberra and hosted by the University’s Student Engagement directorate, 32 Year 9 and 10 students from Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga, Melrose High School, UC High School Kaleen and Harrison High School, experienced a campus environment first-hand on 16 August.
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Female high school students visit the University of Canberra for The Smith Family’s ‘From Schoolgirls to Career Women’ program. Photo supplied.
The program aims to raise the aspirations of students from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to pursue higher education and provides information about different pathways to university.
“The event aimed to combine a university experience with the opportunity for high school students to meet successful Indigenous career women, providing inspiration as well as practical tips for students to achieve their career dreams,” Widening Participation team leader Rebecca Mason said.
Female mentors, from a range of professions including a fitness instructor, a chef, public servant and teacher spoke to students about their life experiences including their achievements, obstacles they faced and how they overcame barriers to get to where they are today.
The students also took part in a range of interactive workshops and activities including a campus tour scavenger hunt. They also spoke to University staff and students about various career opportunities.
