Former Western Australian of the Year and leading Indigenous musician, comedian and writer Mark Bin Bakar will host this year’s Future Footprints Indigenous Career Expo, attended by more than 250 regional and remote students.
The Indigenous students, who live in Perth residential colleges and hail from regional and remote regions of WA, will learn about future career and study opportunities available to them.
Mr Bin Bakar, who is also known for his alter ego Mary G, Queen of the Kimberley, and Curtin Medical School second-year student Tahnee Carter will share their experiences with the students.
Hosted at Curtin University, the Future Footprints Expo is organised by the Association of Independent Schools of WA and sponsored by Woodside.
Ms Roni Forrest, spokesperson for the Association of Independent Schools of WA, which organises the Future Footprints Indigenous Career Expo, said students would get an opportunity to discuss university courses, entry pathways and scholarships, as well as having access to a range of training service providers for those who choose not to go on to further study.
“Planning is the key to a successful transition into a career, and we offer students access to as many pathways into as many different careers as possible,” Ms Forrest said.
“Students also need to meet and speak with role models for inspiration and get them thinking at an early age about their post-secondary options.”
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the student expo aimed to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.
“The Future Footprints Indigenous Career Expo is designed to provide Indigenous students from all over Western Australia with information to assist them in making decisions about their future studies and career, and we are delighted to be able to host this important event,” Professor Terry said.
“The students will have access to the range of post-secondary opportunities that are available to them, offering them the chance to personally ask any questions about their options after school.”
This year, the students will be making use of an app to navigate their way around the various exhibitors, which will include universities, government departments, TAFEs and companies.
The 2018 Future Footprints Indigenous Career Expo will be held at Curtin Stadium tonight, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
