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From awards events that celebrate our interns and employers, to our appearances in the media, we work constantly to amplify the work and voices of First Nations peoples. Here is where you will find the latest news and resources.
Leadership Development Institute (LDI) 21-23 January 2025, Naarm
On Tuesday 21 January 2025, 400 members of the CareerTrackers community – students, alumni, staff, partners and guests – gathered for our first face-to-face LDI since 2020 at Marvel Stadium in Naarm.
With attendees arriving from all over the country, the Medallion Club was soon filled with students, alumni and CareerTrackers staff catching up with old friends and making new ones.
After a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony outside the stadium, Elder Caroline Martin gave the opening address welcoming the group to Naarm, before a Fireside Chat with Yoorook Justice Commision (Commissioner Sue-Ann Hunter) and a networking lunch.
After lunch, the professional development part of the program began with workshops by Koorie Youth Council and Blak Wattle Coaching. The second day of the LDI also provided many networking opportunities, as well as professional and personal development workshops with students and alumni attending workshops on topics including goal setting, study tips, presenting with confidence, leadership, managing cultural load, wellbeing and STEM.
A highlight for many was the final day keynote speech by ex-AFL footballer and media personality Andrew Krakouer who spoke about his personal journey and life lessons learned. Judging from the number of selfies he graciously posed for after his speech, Andrew was a popular choice to be the final LDI speaker.
During the 3 day event, attendees also enjoyed a night at out at the Australian Open, and had many opportunities to network with this year’s theme, Connecting for Impact – because together we can achieve so much more, in evidence as CareerTrackers interns and alumni connected and discussed matters important to them.
We are excited to share that the Friends of CareerTrackers membership will once again be offered in 2025, offering the following benefits:
For queries about membership, please contact our Partnerships team at partners@careertrackers.org.au.
After the CareerTrackers team connected in person in September at Staff Gathering, in October and November it was time for our students to get together at some of our student networking events and Kick Offs as they prepare for their internships.
Meeting other students and alumni are key to the continued success of the CareerTrackers community, so having our calendar of in person events that combine networking and learning are essential. Our generous Alumni community are always present to give tips, support and share experiences.
At the Naarm/Melbourne Kick Off hosted by Canva, alumni panellist Glenn Milliken spoke about the importance of making connections at CareerTrackers and during internships. He described how he has stayed in touch with other CareerTrackers interns for over 10 years, and they regularly share advice and opportunities with one another.
At the Meanjin/Brisbane event, hosted by Aurizon, Yoshua Mader reminded students that companies are often excited to welcome a new face and have them on board, and Juliet Biemann gave a practical tip: to always having a pen and paper on hand to write tasks.
In Boorloo/Perth, at an event hosted by GHD, the alumni panel advised the students to focus on bringing their authentic selves to work and soaking in knowledge.
One piece of advice was echoed around the country for our interns: network, make as many contacts as possible, and with students exchanging emails and creating WhatsApp groups at the end of the days, there’s no doubt they will.
The Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is a CareerTrackers tradition. In 2025, this annual event will be held in Naarm/Melbourne, Victoria from Tuesday January 21 – Thursday January 23. LDI is a unique conference and an essential program component for all CareerTrackers interns to develop leadership skills, build professional networks, and engage in transformative learning experiences.
CareerTrackers partners who have employed Winter and/or Summer Interns in 2024/2025 will be invited to support their students, and also to network in an invitation only event. This event will include senior representatives from the CareerTrackers University network, Gold Diary presentations and National Awards. The annual CareerTrackers gala event/s will not be held in 2025. Please contact partners@careertrackers.org.au for any queries.
Invited alumni, through an expression of interest process, will also be offered a two day experience on Tuesday January 21-Wednesday January 22. Please contact bek.lasky@careertrackers.org.au.
CareerTrackers looks forward to hosting this exciting opportunity and event for its community.
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of CareerTrackers, we have produced a film and report that highlight the incredible stories of the CareerTrackers community, showcasing the collective journey of First Nations students, interns, alumni, and corporate partners.
As we mark this significant milestone, they reflect on shared achievements, the strength of partnerships, and the deep sense of community that has empowered First Nations students to rise to new heights.
The CareerTrackers team love nothing more than connecting, and each year look forward to our Staff Gathering which this year was held in Meanjin/Brisbane. As a national organisation, being able to meet up in person doesn’t happen very often, so a 3 day gathering was a great chance to further build relationships while learning and discussing ideas about how we work together.
Staff from around the country spent their time together connecting with culture, catching up with each other and attending professional development workshops. CEO Taryn Marks and Carrie Sailor, our deputy CEO led impactful discussions, keeping us focused on our vision and values with lively conversations fostering new connections and purpose-driven discussions.
Here are some of the highlights.
On the first day, we attended a session by Dr John Davis (JD) on High Expectation Relationships. Dr. Davis shared invaluable insights from his time as CEO of the Stronger Smarter Institute, and how Indigenous Knowledge systems can exist in educational practices and leadership within our communities.
To kick off day two, Yarraka Bayles led a BlakCard Training cultural walk in Kurilpa (West End). This was a powerful guided tour and discussion, where the team walked through Kurilpa, engaging with the rich history, learning about some of the significant landmarks, artworks and installations and stories of determination. We also visited Kuril Dhagun at the State Library of Queensland – a dedicated cultural and multi-purpose space designed to inspire community participation and engagement.
Day three coincided with Indigenous Literacy Day which the team marked with a book purchase and swap of our favourite First Nations storytellers and journalists, with Meanjin-based writers Anita Heiss, Melissa Lucashenko and Amy McQuire proving popular.
This gathering was a special, but valued time for the CareerTrackers team to unite and reflect on our achievements and those of our community, and discuss our exciting plans and vision for the future.
Program Days are professional development days for our students and provide an important opportunity for community building, skill development and for our interns to learn from First Nations role models and leaders. It also enables our interns to connect with and learn about our corporate, community and university partners.
Our first Program Day was held in Naarm/Melbourne hosted by Herbert Smith Freehills. CEO Taryn Marks spoke about her 12 months in the role, followed by an alumni panel – Matt Roberts Clifton, Cameron James and Renee Henderson – who talked about their journeys, experience and connecting with our students. Canva delivered the Magic of You Workshop 2, and First Nations Foundation inspired with My Business Dream.
GHD hosted the Tarndanya/Adelaide Program Day, with Kaurna Elder, Aunty Elaine Magias delivering a wonderful Welcome to Country and Charlie Griffiths from the CSIRO Young Women In STEM Academy providing a workshop on art and identity. Leon Filewood gave a moving address on the 2024 NAIDOC theme, keeping the fire burning.
On Gadigal Country, attendees enjoyed the spectacular view over Sydney Harbour from up high in Salesforce tower. Intern Jiah King started the day connecting with culture by playing didgeridoo, and keynote speaker Kishaya Delaney, a proud Wiradjuri woman and Pro Bono lawyer for Herbert Smith Freehills inspired many, particularly the large law cohort. Jade Nicholson from The Wollotuka Institute at University of Newcastle and Barb Mackie gave a much-appreciated workshop on resumes, cover letters & LinkedIn profiles.
Our last in-person Program Day was up in Meanjin/Brisbane, at the Commonwealth Bank’s Ann St office, with workshops by First Nations Foundation on financial literacy, LinkedIn on profile writing and Nous on presentation skills. The final fun session where groups of interns made paper planes highlighted how many engineers we have coming through this cohort.
For students in other locations, an Online Program Day meant they didn’t miss out and could attend workshops, watch an alumni panel led by CareerTrackers Maeve Mitchell, and even network virtually.
This year CareerTrackers held galas in Naarm, Meanjin, Warrane, Tarndanya and Boorloo with CEO Wotjobaluk woman Taryn Marks travelling around the country meeting in person many from the CareerTrackers community, and hearing their stories and feedback on their CareerTrackers journeys.
This year’s theme, The Future is First Nations, rang true with over 42 awards being given and keynote addresses from student and alumni cohort inspiring audiences across the country with stories of resilience, hard work and educational and workplace achievements.
CareerTrackers CEO Taryn Marks, Wotjobaluk woman said: “From Meanjin to Boorloo we express our thanks and gratitude to the Elders for Welcoming the CareerTrackers community to their Country and joining in the celebration of the achievements of our students, interns, corporate and community partners, staff, alumni and friends.”
The awards were attended by the CareerTrackers community including not only the students and interns and family members, but alumni of the program, many of whom have gone on to have leadership roles in some of Australia’s top corporate companies. CareerTrackers corporate partners were also honoured with BUPA winning the Partnering for Excellence Award.
See the Koori Mail coverage here
Celebrating National Science Week with the news that five of the six NASA Interns who are due to take part in a 10-week internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are connected to the CareerTrackers community.
In a huge win for the dedicated advocates of First Nations education, proud Tharawal woman Renee Wootton, Ngarrindjeri man Linden Beaumont, Palawa man Ted Vanderfeen, Limilngan and Mudburra man Lincoln Bourke, and Gundungurra woman Tully Mahr, will team up with a scientist or mentor during their time at NASA 🚀🪐
Read more about NISA interns and our deadly Interns/Alumni.
Opinion – CareerTrackers Closing the Gap with First Nations students (August 2023)
Career support begins with study – article in the Koori Mail 9 August 2023 outlining the CareerTrackers advantage and the benefits of joining the largest community of First Nations professionals.
Alex Dyball came through our program and has now won the First Nations Rising Star award in Queensland Resources.
Our CEO shares her leadership perspective and experience in this thoughtful profile by the Qantas magazine. Qantas remain a longstanding and important partner in the CT community. Here’s a link.
Our CEO, Jennifer, spoke to Trev from 98.7 Bumma Bippera radio on Thursday 8 June about our programs for both high school and university students. Bumma Bippera is Cairns first and only First Nations radio station. Listen to the full interview below.
