The Ponder Program

The Ponder Program

Complete career learning for years 7 to 12. Week by week, students build the skills they need to navigate the transition from school to work. Underpinned by the Career Development Framework. 

Build their career readiness week by week

Ponder Program + Career Development Framework

The Framework makes it easy to see which career development skills young people should be learning at each stage of school.

The Framework slots into your existing wellbeing programs, or can be used as the basis of a new program. Each term, students focus on one of four key topics which build career management competency, week by week.

Module 1

Understanding Self - Who you are and what you may become

Module 2

Self in Context - Awareness of how you 'fit' in the world

Module 3

Exploration - What's out there in the world of work?

Module 4

Connection - Place yourself in the world of work

Module 1 - Understanding Self

An introduction to goal setting for students and young people.
Encourage students to think about what makes them unique.
Help students to think about the things that motivate and inspire them.
Encourage students to think about how they spend their time each week.
Encourage students to think about the things in their life that make them happy.
Encourage students to think about the things in their life that are working for them now.
Encourage students to think about the allies they have in life.
Encourage students to think about the different types of goals they might like to set for themselves.
Help students to consider whether their goals are realistic and achievable.
Help students consider the importance of setting milestones in goal setting.

Module 2 - Self in Context

Help students consider the importance of good decision making.
Expand your options by identifying and overcoming bias.
Learn why it’s important to seek useful feedback.
Where can we go to seek out important feedback?
Learn about the importance of using your voice to speak up.
Teach students the importance of self-motivation.
Learn about the importance of transferable skills in the workplace.
What makes communication and collaboration skills so important?
Find out how to develop your organisational skills.
Learn about the importance of building your adaptability.

Module 3 - Exploration

Learn all about what the world of work is.
Learn all about your local world of work.
Start thinking about the bigger picture of work.
Break the world of work down into clusters.
A ‘normal’ career might look different to what you expect.
Workplaces aren’t static – they change and evolve over time.
It’s important that you know about Workplace Health and Safety.
Learn about your rights and how to stand up for them.
How much do you know about your workplace responsibilities?
Reflect on your place in the world of work.

Module 4 - Connection

We all have many possible future selves, but working out what they look like can help us plan our pathway.
You are the one writing your story – you get to decide where your life is going to lead, so you need the skills to draw your map with confidence.
Change in the workplace is normal, but unexpected changes can mean we need to rethink our future plans.
You need to know which qualifications you will need for any jobs you’re interested in – otherwise you won’t be able to get the training you need and apply.
Empower students to find their own information about careers and industries.
Help students weigh up their options and understand possible pathways.
Help young people to consider the things they can do while they’re still at school to start building on their future careers.
Help young people to consider the things they can do over the school holidays to start building on their future careers.
Help young understand the importance of reflection.
Help young people understand the importance of life balance.

Start using the Ponder Program at your school today

The Ponder framework makes it so easy to deliver quality career education at your school. To get started, click Apply today (or Talk to the team to find out more). 

We’ll be in touch with you ASAP.