First published 16 July 2024
On Monday, 1 July, the QUT Future You Summit brought together high-achieving Year 11 and 12 students to explore their future career ambitions. QUT's Student Inclusion/Future Students team played a crucial role in making this event accessible by providing significant financial support to students from regional and remote schools.
To support students' attendance, Student Inclusion offered travel subsidies, assisting students from regional and remote schools with transportation costs. Additionally, they covered accommodation expenses at Sommerville House, ensuring students travelling from a distance had a comfortable, secure place to stay during the event. This funding reduced financial barriers, allowing students from partner schools to fully engage in the summit's activities and enjoy the opportunities that the Future You Summit provides.
The summit featured a diverse range of activities designed to inspire and equip students for their future careers. Participants engaged in practical experiences across multiple study streams, attended keynote sessions with high-profile speakers, and took part in interactive Q&A panels featuring local industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and researchers. These sessions provided students with valuable insights into emerging trends and future job markets, helping them position themselves for success.
QUT Student Inclusion ambassadors, whose training and wages were also funded by Student Inclusion, played an essential role in the event. They supported students throughout the summit, ensuring they had guidance and assistance as they navigated the campus and participated in various activities. The ambassadors' presence helped create a welcoming and supportive environment, allowing students to maximise their experience.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many students expressed that the summit broadened their understanding of career options and boosted their confidence in pursuing higher education. One participant highlighted the importance of the extra time with peers and student inclusion ambassadors during the boarding experience stating, “the best thing about Future You was the boarding experience, and the lifelong connections I made.”
The QUT Future You Summit not only helped students explore their future degree and career aspirations but also developed essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. By offering these resources and support, Student Inclusion ensured that students from diverse backgrounds could benefit from this transformative experience.
For more information about QUT's Student Inclusion programs, visit QUT Student Inclusion.
