CareerTrackers: All In to empower Indigenous students
Helping students reach their full potential and building rewarding careers that fulfil individual dreams and aspirations takes commitment, but it also requires meaningful support.
Investing in the success of a person’s career journey depends on a strong collective effort.
For 17 years, CareerTrackers, a national not-for-profit organisation, has led this approach by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students to access paid internships and professional development pathways that provide valuable real-world experience. For many students, that experience has proven transformative.
CareerTrackers has facilitated more than 9,000 internships, built an alumni network of more than 1,600 First Nations professionals, and currently supports around 700 students each year.
Approximately 90% of CareerTrackers alumni complete their university degrees within six years, while between 80% and 95% secure full-time employment shortly after graduating.
While student commitment is essential, strategic collaboration between corporate, government, not-for-profit employers and university partners creates the opportunities needed to build confidence, capability and practical workplace experience.
Creating pathways for the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs, business owners, academics and professionals directly advances reconciliation by strengthening university participation, workforce representation, and connections between Indigenous students and corporate and government environments.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is All In.
CareerTrackers is demonstrating what “All In” looks like in practice: a shared commitment across all sectors of the Australian economy – alongside universities and communities – to advancing Indigenous employment, leadership and economic participation.
Adam Davids, Chief Executive Officer of CareerTrackers, said he is proud of the achievements of both the organisation and its students.
“Our flagship program engages students and requires them to commit to their studies. They are paid a salary through multi-year internships where, for every year of their university degree, they are participating in a workplace and professional environment aligned to their long-term career aspirations."
“Students gain real, hands-on experience. They also participate in professional development and leadership training, while benefiting from connections with like-minded Indigenous students from across Australia – not just in their city or university, but nationwide.”
Renee Wootton Tomlin, now a qualified pilot and aerospace engineer, said CareerTrackers supported her from the very beginning, providing guidance, mentoring and an early internship with Qantas.
Her career journey sparked a passion for biofuels, leading her to found New Era Energy, an Indigenous-led energy venture focused on developing sustainable aviation fuel from feedstock inputs.
Renee’s business is now registered with Supply Nation and forms part of a growing network of Indigenous-owned businesses contributing to innovation and the national economy.
Robert Wolski, a successful entrepreneur managing three separate ventures, also credits CareerTrackers with helping build the confidence and capability that enabled him to establish his own businesses.
His Brisbane-based studio, Halftone Digital, combines thoughtful design, smart development and genuine collaboration to deliver creative solutions for clients.
Robert’s next step is seeking advice on verifying his businesses with Supply Nation.
“To achieve our ambition, CareerTrackers relies on strong buy-in from a wide range of stakeholders from private sector organisations and publicly listed companies to government agencies, departments and not-for-profits,” Mr Davids said.
“Our partners span everything from architecture firms to hospitals, and they need to be committed – they need to be all in.
“Our partnerships go well beyond internships. Together with our partners, we are committed to promoting academic excellence and instilling in students the confidence to become future leaders who can influence change and serve as role models for future generations.”
As Australia reflects on the meaning of reconciliation during National Reconciliation Week, CareerTrackers continues to demonstrate that lasting change is possible when organisations and communities commit to walking together – and truly go all in.
