It might not seem like it right now but being at school during the pandemic has definite advantages from the point of view of career. You are able to witness first hand the turmoil that some industries are going through because of the lockdown and you are able to target those industries where there is ongoing employment. Now is not the time to be in the hospitality and tourism industry, or in small retail.
Some of you are lucky enough to have part-time jobs still, even with the coronavirus chaos. But there are others who no longer do have them as their place of employment may have had to shut down. This is because the demand for their business has dried up or it is impossible to deliver the service.
You are lucky because you have the ability to do your research and find the occupations that are not suffering too badly with stand-downs and unemployment. Let's take a look at what is doing well, or holding its own.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - this sector is still booming because the need to provide food for the local market has grown as overseas imports have diminished.
“Being at school during the pandemic has definite advantages from the point of view of career.”
Logistics and supply - jobs in this sector have grown exponentially during the crisis as more people are buying online than ever before. This demand, coupled with the high demand for certain grocery items has caused employment to grow in this sector.
Health Care - jobs in primary health care, including for mental health, aged care and disability support continue to be in high demand.
Education - there will be demand in the primary and secondary sectors in particular, although it remains to be seen what will happen in the university sector.
If you happen to be hoping for a career in the Arts, Tourism or Hospitality, at this stage these industries are the hardest hit and will be going forward. Many jobs in this sector rely on what is called the Gig Economy whereby work is often seasonal or casual or even sessional. It is this sector that has been the hardest hit. You will have seen the many online postings of musicians putting their music out from the confines of their loungeroom. Now is probably not the time to hope to make a living out of music!
Other industries which will struggle in the short term are, the travel industry -think airlines and the shut down that has occurred there.
The best that you can do is stay at school or in training or further education for as long as possible and keep informed as to which industries will be major employers in the future.
One area that has been affected significantly is the idea of a Gap Year. With overseas travel not likely to start up for quite some time, the option of taking a year of study to travel and work is less beneficial.
Send me an email if you wish to chat about what your pathway might look like in the
COVID-19 era.
Alison Whiteley — Careers Counsellor