Supporting your student's career readiness from day one

Supporting your student's career readiness from day one

Students can build the confidence with knowledge, skills, and experience needed to make informed career decisions and thrive in the evolving world of work.

Today's university students are preparing for careers in a world that is changing faster than ever. For many parents, this raises an important question: How can I best support my child to prepare for life after university?

The good news is that career readiness is not something students need to figure out in their final year. It is a gradual journey that begins from the first semester and develops through learning, exploration, and experience. While students become more independent throughout university, parents and families continue to play an important role by encouraging curiosity, supporting exploration, and helping students reflect on their experiences along the way.

Career development begins with exploration

Many students start university with ideas about the careers they would like to pursue. Others are still discovering where their interests and strengths lie. Both are entirely normal.

The first year of university is a valuable time for students to learn more about themselves, explore different industries and professions, and begin connecting their academic studies with possible career pathways. Rather than making immediate career decisions, the focus is on building self-awareness and understanding the opportunities available to them.

At RMIT Vietnam, this process is supported from the first semester through the Career Ready Hub, where students can access personalised career guidance, career planning advice, workshops, networking events, and employer engagement activities.

To help students develop progressively throughout their degree, RMIT follows a structured career development pathway:

  • Year 1 – Explore: Students identify their strengths, interests and values while learning about different industries and career opportunities.
  • Year 2 – Develop: Students strengthen professional capabilities through practical learning experiences, industry engagement and skill development.
  • Year 3 – Transition: Students prepare for employment through internships, employer engagement, graduate recruitment activities and career coaching.

By introducing career development early, students have the time to make informed decisions, build relevant capabilities, and prepare for employment with greater confidence.

Group of attendees standing and smilingRecruitment event: Meet your employer

Learning extends beyond the classroom

While academic learning provides the foundation, career readiness grows through experiences that allow students to apply what they have learned in authentic settings.

Throughout their studies, RMIT students have opportunities to engage with industry in many different ways. Through Industry Partnered Learning (IPL) activities, they work with organisations on real business challenges and receive feedback from industry professionals as part of their coursework. Depending on their program, students may also participate in company visits, guest lectures, mentoring programs, innovation competitions, and industry projects.  

Outside the curriculum, career events such as Careers Festival, employer presentations and networking sessions provide students with opportunities to meet employers, learn about emerging industries, and better understand workplace expectations. 

Together, these experiences help students connect classroom learning with professional practice, broaden their understanding of career possibilities, and build relationships with industry before they graduate. 

"Beyond joining student clubs and competitions, I would encourage students to make the most of the workshops, seminars and industry talks held regularly on campus. These events are a great opportunity to meet employers, hear directly from professionals across different industries, and stay up to date with the latest trends. Many of the practical insights that have shaped my career aspirations came from these sessions, not just from what I learned in the classroom." - Ho Viet Tran, Second-year student, The Business School

Every experience contributes to career readiness

When parents think about career preparation, internships are often the first thing that come to mind. While internships are valuable, they are only one part of a student's career development.

Different experiences help students grow in different ways. Industry projects demonstrate how academic knowledge can be applied to real-world challenges. Student clubs and leadership roles develop teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Volunteering encourages collaboration and community engagement, while part-time employment helps students build workplace confidence, professionalism and customer service skills. 

Collectively, these experiences strengthen the transferable skills that employers increasingly seek and help students make more informed decisions about the type of work they enjoy and the environments in which they thrive.

To support students in finding these opportunities, RMIT provides a range of career resources, including the Careers Online Portal, where students can explore internships, graduate and part-time employment, and other career opportunities throughout their studies.

How parents can support the journey

As students become more independent, parents may wonder what role they should play in career planning. While students are responsible for making their own decisions, encouragement from family remains one of the most influential forms of support.

Rather than focusing on having a fixed career plan from the outset, parents can help students make steady progress by encouraging three important habits. 

Stay curious - Encourage students to explore career services, attend employer events, and remain open to opportunities that broaden their perspectives.

Stay involved - Support participation in extracurricular activities, industry projects, internships, volunteering, student leadership, and other experiences that help students develop both professionally and personally. 

Take time to reflect - Some of the most valuable learning comes after an experience. Regular conversations about what students have enjoyed, what they have found challenging, and what they have learned about themselves can help them make more informed decisions over time.

Simple questions can encourage these conversations:

  • What has been the most rewarding experience you have had this semester?
  • Have you discovered any new interests or career possibilities? 
  • What skills do you think you have developed recently?
  • Is there an opportunity at university that you would like to try next? 

These conversations demonstrate interest and support while allowing students the space to develop independence and confidence in their own decision-making.

Supporting growth, one step at a time

In a rapidly changing job market, the most important thing is not for students to have all the answers from the beginning, but to have opportunities to keep learning, exploring, and growing. With the support of their families and the wide range of career development resources available at RMIT Vietnam, students can build the confidence with knowledge, skills, and experience needed to make informed career decisions and thrive in the evolving world of work.

To learn more about the career development resources and support services available at RMIT Vietnam, parents are invited to watch the recording of the webinar "Career Readiness and Support: What Parents and Students Should Know from Day One" below. 

A student and a teacher in a consultation session

Career Readiness: What parents and students should know from Day One | RMIT Vietnam

10 August 2026

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