Making careers expos count for every student,
20 April 2026
Careers expos can be a powerful part of a school’s career education programme when they are well integrated.
Schools are seeing stronger outcomes when expos sit within a wider, intentional approach to career learning. OECD research findings show that teenagers who have opportunities to engage directly with people in work tend to experience better employment outcomes later. New Zealand’s transitions from secondary school research reinforces that message, highlighting the influence of people and experiences – not just information – on young people’s post- school decisions.
In practice, this aligns with what many career advisers already know. Expos work best when students arrive ready to engage, rather than to simply collect brochures. Advisers report that students who have time to reflect on their interests, strengths and questions beforehand are more confident about approaching exhibitors and more likely to leave with insights they remember.
What happens after the expo is often the deciding factor in whether it has lasting impact. Career advisers note that without structured follow up, even positive expo experiences can fade quickly. Reflection activities, follow-up discussions and links back to subject choices or pathways help students integrate what they heard into their wider learning journey.
Career decisions rarely sit with students alone, and advisers frequently see how family expectations, experiences and assumptions shape young people’s thinking about their futures. When parents and whānau attend careers expos, or are actively drawn into conversations afterwards, they gain greater visibility of emerging industries, pathways and training options. This can lift the quality of career conversations at home and support more informed, realistic decision making.
Careers expos are unlikely to disappear from the school calendar – nor should they. They can help every student take a meaningful step towards understanding their future.
Careers expos empower whānau and rangatahi