Hosted by Alana Kilmartin, Founder of Unserious Careers
Finishing Year 12 in 2026?
Let me show you a career strategy for the first 12 months after school that's easy to apply and gets you ahead faster, without hating life.
Class of 2026
Year 12 is a BIG year.
And the world of work is a hot mess right now.
After all the build up to final exams and graduation, many Year 12 students enter what I call the "Oh Crap" Gap. Oh crap, what do I do now?
This event is built for the "Oh Crap" Gap.
What happens at this event
Three hours.
Three sessions.
Zero boring bits.
2026
- Dec 2: Port Lincoln, SA → Uni Hub Spencer Gulf (Port Lincoln)
- Dec 4: Adelaide, SA → Flinders University (City Campus)
- Dec 8: Launceston, TAS → University of Tasmania (River's Edge)
- Dec 9: Hobart, TAS → University of Tasmania (The Forest)
- Dec 12: Cairns, QLD → James Cook University (Cairns Campus)
- Dec 13: Townsville, QLD → James Cook University (Townsville Campus)
- Dec 15: Newcastle, NSW → University of Newcastle (Callaghan Campus)
- Dec 17: Darwin, NT → Charles Darwin University (City Campus)
2027
- Jan 15: Melbourne, VIC → RMIT University (City Campus)
- Jan 18: Sydney, NSW → Torrens University (Sydney City Campus)
- Jan 20: Canberra, ACT → University of Canberra
- Jan 22: Brisbane, QLD → Canterbury College
- Feb 1: Perth, WA → Murdoch University (Perth Campus)
Please note that the actual rooms at these campuses will be confirmed closer to the event with directions sent via email so you know where to go!
9AM – 12PM
Think of this event as inspiring TED talk meets practical workshop, with a bit of gameshow energy thrown in. Click on each of the sessions below to find out what we'll cover:
This is where you'll be introduced to the concept of a Jump Year. Your Jump Year is the first year after you finish school. Not to be confused with a "Gap Year" (which only some students choose to take), everyone goes through a Jump Year.
You've spent a lot of time exploring what you want to do after school but chances are you haven't been taught how to launch a career. It's a flexible strategy for your Jump Year that every student can implement no matter what you're planning to do (or even if you have no plan at all). Learn it. Use it.
This is about putting together a one page plan for the next 12 months. Think of it as the start of your Playbook For Success. It doesn't have to be concrete, it can change, but it will give you some actionable next steps.
Specific details like directions to the venue, transport options, what to bring, doors open time and the answer to "will there be snacks?" will be sent closer to the event.
Who this is for
Doubters. Doers. Dreamers.
A post Year 12 event for the class of 2026
There are three types of students this event is made for: The Doubter, The Doer and The Dreamer. There's a good chance you're a mix of more than one but often there's one that feels the most relatable.
Dig into each type below.
And if you're thinking "I'm so sick of school" — great news. This is absolutely not school. This won't be a series of boring lessons. I like to say your career is an adventure, not an exam. Consider me a mentor helping you navigate it.
The problem
Why "Seriously Ready"?
In the last year, how many times have you heard a phrase like "AI is taking jobs" or a reference to the cost of living crisis? I'm seeing way too many awesome students dragged down by uncertainty. Trust me, there are incredible opportunities out there for any young person willing to go looking for them. That's why I called this event Seriously Ready:
- I want to help you get seriously ready (and genuinely excited) for your career.
- I'm seriously ready to give it to you straight so you know how to actually get ahead.
There are some honest conversations you and I can't have while you're still at school. With so much going on to make it to the finish line, you don't really have the mental space to take much more in. But with school over at the end of this year, that's going to change. Let me help you find opportunities faster.
2026
- Dec 2: Port Lincoln, SA → Uni Hub Spencer Gulf (Port Lincoln)
- Dec 4: Adelaide, SA → Flinders University (City Campus)
- Dec 8: Launceston, TAS → University of Tasmania (River's Edge)
- Dec 9: Hobart, TAS → University of Tasmania (The Forest)
- Dec 12: Cairns, QLD → James Cook University (Cairns Campus)
- Dec 13: Townsville, QLD → James Cook University (Townsville Campus)
- Dec 15: Newcastle, NSW → University of Newcastle (Callaghan Campus)
- Dec 17: Darwin, NT → Charles Darwin University (City Campus)
2027
- Jan 15: Melbourne, VIC → RMIT University (City Campus)
- Jan 18: Sydney, NSW → Torrens University (Sydney City Campus)
- Jan 20: Canberra, ACT → University of Canberra
- Jan 22: Brisbane, QLD → Canterbury College
- Feb 1: Perth, WA → Murdoch University (Perth Campus)
Please note that the actual rooms at these campuses will be confirmed closer to the event with directions sent via email so you know where to go!
How free tickets work
Tickets are free because I've got a mildly delusional hunch that there are enough businesses and organisations who want to back young Australians by funding this tour. You take care of grabbing a ticket and leave the rest to me.
While you may not pay anything in dollars, there is an expectation that you show up willing to go all in. If you don't show up, that's a spot that could have gone to another keen student who might have missed out on a ticket. Don't be that person.
Who is eligible
- Must be completing Year 12 in Australia in 2026
- Must be available on the given date for your city or town
- Must genuinely plan to attend (not just register because it's free), though we get that life can be unpredictable
What you need to do
- Register Hit the button below and select your destination to grab your free ticket. (And convince some friends to register too.)
- Confirm Check that the confirmation email from Eventbrite (Newcastle) or Humanitix (all other events) has arrived. You may need to show your ticket on the day. Lock the date into your calendar!
- Get excited Keep an eye on your emails in the lead up for important event information and venue directions.
Not ready to register yet?
Drop your email below and I'll send you the link to grab your ticket, so you don't forget.
Your event host
Hey!
I'm Alana Kilmartin.
I'll be your mentor.
Founder and author of Unserious Careers.
Since 2025 I've visited 300+ high schools across Australia and NZ, talking to students about their futures. I believe every young person can build an epic career and life, no matter where they come from or how "smart" they were at school. Careers are kind of my thing.
Want to know more about me?
- I wrote a book for school leavers called Unserious Careers. It's a fun guide to the first five years of your career and is the book I needed when I was 18.
- Back in the day I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Commerce. But then I became a travel agent and realised most of what I'd been told at school about how to build a successful career was wrong.
- I want to achieve big things in my career AND enjoy my life. I don't think you should have to choose one over the other.
- I'm not a teacher (you've spent enough time around them the last few years, right?).
- Snacks are my favourite form of food.
- I can technically speak Italian...but please don't ask me to. (I lived and worked in Italy on my gap year and have spoken the language for a total of 17 minutes since then.)
- It's been way too long since I've gone snowboarding, but I'm in my business-building era and have no regrets.
What people say about Alana's events
As a rule, I don't do boring.
"That was the first time I've actually enjoyed a talk about jobs."
Student
"You made some serious topics not so serious, and this was so helpful in breaking down the barriers that exist when it comes to chasing their dreams."
Career Adviser
"We have to listen to loads of boring stuff, and this was the best presentation we have ever heard."
Student
"Alana was witty, engaging, and presented practical and inspirational career advice all young people need to hear."
Career Adviser
"She actually made careers make sense."
Student
"Alana was engaging, funny and all-round relatable. She remembered students' names, cracked jokes with them and spoke in such a way that had them feeling really positive when they left. Absolute bloody legend! 100/10!"
Teacher
"Alana creates an engaging atmosphere for the students with funny anecdotes, audience participation and best of all, cool prizes!"
Career Adviser
"Alana's energy, real-world examples and honest advice left our students feeling more confident, curious and ready to take the next step towards their goals."
Career Adviser
What you'll take away
Leave seriously ready
for what's next.
The strategy you learn can be used no matter what your career plans are, even if you have no idea what you want to do.
Excited
Leave this event feeling less stressed and more excited for your future.
Confident
Skip the most expensive mistakes students make and take actions that actually matter.
Prepared
Learn how to build a successful career in an uncertain world where AI keeps doing its own unpredictable thing.
Frequently asked questions
- Port Lincoln, SA → Uni Hub Spencer Gulf
- Adelaide, SA → Flinders University
- Launceston, TAS → University of Tasmania (River's Edge)
- Hobart, TAS → University of Tasmania (The Forest)
- Cairns, QLD → James Cook University
- Townsville, QLD → James Cook University
- Newcastle, NSW → University of Newcastle (Callaghan Campus)
- Darwin, NT → Charles Darwin University (City Campus)
- Melbourne, VIC → RMIT University (City Campus)
- Sydney, NSW → Torrens University (Sydney City Campus)
- Canberra, ACT → University of Canberra
- Brisbane, QLD → Canterbury College
- Perth, WA → Murdoch University
If there are specific students you'd like to nominate, please send me an email → events@unseriouscareers.com
Keen to support young people?
Sponsors make this tour possible
If you're a business or organisation who'd like to help young people get seriously ready for their career, I'd love to hear from you. There are multiple sponsorship packages available. To learn more, fill out the form by clicking on the link below.
Learn about sponsorshipHuge thanks to our venue partners
Canterbury College, Charles Darwin University, Flinders University, James Cook University, Murdoch University, RMIT University, Torrens University, Uni Hub Spencer Gulf, University of Canberra, University of Newcastle, University of Tasmania.