How career-ready are you?

Before you know where you want to go, you need to understand where you are – we call this your career mapping phase. You may already know your phase, having completed our career census during enrolment, or you can take the quick career mapping quiz.

University is the best time to sign up for experiences, build your skills and discover new career ideas. Being aware of your career mapping phase helps you identify how you can build the skills and experiences you need to make confident career choices.

Find your career mapping phase

When you know where you are, it’s easier to plan where you’re going. Take our career readiness quiz to find your career mapping phase and receive suggestions on what you can do next to advance your career.

Take the quiz

Is career mapping for me?

Yes! The career mapping phases are designed for all students, at all levels.

Your mapping phase – just like your career – is unique to you. There is no right or wrong phase and you may find the phases don’t align to your course year level, so don’t expect that just because you are in first year you will be at the Discover phase. Also, don’t worry if your friends are at different phases to you – you need to develop at your own pace.

You can use career mapping phases to find and sign up for activities outside of your classes. These activities will help you to connect what you learn in class to the workplace. The more experiences you gain, the greater your preparedness for the workplace.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the Career Census?

    From 2021, each year we will conduct a Career Census of all University of Melbourne students. You will be prompted to complete the census at enrolment. We use your responses to better understand and support your career needs and design our service to match.

    The census will ask you two questions:

    • What is your career mapping phase?
    • What employability experiences have you completed in the last 12 months
  • What is the difference between the Career Census and the Career Readiness Quiz?

    The first question on the census and the quiz is the same. The difference is, the Career Census includes two questions and provides a snapshot in time as you re/enrol. The responses are used when we design our Careers and Employability service for students.

    The Career Readiness Quiz is designed for you to take at any time. If you want to check in and see how you are progressing, or to get ideas on what to do next, you can take the quiz on the LMS. It will help you understand where you are at right now and give you recommendations on programs.

  • How do I move forward in career mapping phases?

    To move forward in career mapping you need to grow your self-awareness, explore options, take action and reflect and review. You will already be doing this throughout your study, but the career mapping phases help you to link the activities you are doing now to your career development.

    For example, when you meet with a mentor, what you learn from this conversation may help you to prepare a successful internship application because your mentor provided feedback and advice. Gathering a range of experiences is critical to progressing to the next career mapping phase.

  • Why have I moved ‘back’ to an earlier career phase?

    You may move ‘backwards’ in the career mapping phases as you refresh and review your plans. This is normal, as career development isn’t linear.  Moving ‘backwards’ can actually be a good thing as it shows you have developed your self-awareness. Finding out what you don’t like or don’t want to do, is just as important as gaining experiences in areas that interest you. How you navigate setbacks or manage rejection will help you to build career resilience.

  • What happens if I don’t do the career mapping quiz?

    There is no requirement for you to take the quiz. However, it’s a quick and easy tool to help you take charge of your career, so we recommend making use of it during your studies. Understanding your career mapping will help you to prepare for your career while your study to maximise your chances of success after graduation.

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