What really happens in the first 12 months after a student leaves school?

Alana Kilmartin (author and founder of Unserious Careers) refers to this unique transition period for students as their Jump Year. She believes this is one of the most important periods of a person’s career and invites career practitioners to rethink how we prepare students for it.

In this engaging 75-minute online masterclass, Alana draws on insights from presenting to students at more than 300 high schools across Australia and New Zealand.

Expect to learn:

What the “Oh Crap” Gap is and why most Year 12 students aren’t ready for it
The importance of Jump Years and how to start talking about them
The six archetypes of Year 12 students and what each needs from their Jump Year
The uncomfortable message about building a successful career that every young person needs to hear, but that can’t come from you
The parent trap: why we need to be educating parents on their role in the Career Support Team

Walk away with new language to upgrade your career conversations with students and parents.

Who this is for: Career practitioners and other staff supporting young people’s pathways in school or tertiary settings

Tickets: $30AUD each

Length: 75 minutes including Q&A

Recording: The presentation will be recorded and available to watch until 31 December. The Q&A won’t be included in the replay, so join live if you can.

A note on year levels: In Australia, Year 12 is the final year of school (so in New Zealand it’s the equivalent of Year 13). If you’ve landed on this event from another country, welcome. The content is still applicable regardless of your grade system.

Tickets are non-refundable.

Have you checked out Seriously Ready yet? From December to February, Alana will be running a free event for 2026 Year 12 students in 13 destinations across Australia. To learn more, visit the tour website. She’s also running free webinars for Year 12 parents throughout November.

About the presenter

Alana Kilmartin is the founder and author of Unserious Careers. Since 2025 Alana has presented at over 300 high schools across Australia and New Zealand. She now translates her insights into practical strategies for parents, educators, and workplaces supporting young people through a fast-changing world of work.

To learn more about Alana, head to LinkedIn.

The content Alana covers at the event will be general in nature and is not intended to be professional career advice. Here's a link to our privacy policy and event terms and conditions.

JUMP YEAR UNPACKED: A Career Practitioner Online Masterclass

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