Hard job - with all the fun of the fair

Winters students Abraham Metuariki and Stevie McCormack do their thing at the Expo. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The hairdressing schools have adopted the smoke and mirrors tactic in the recruitment war at the Careers Expo and the queues are rivalled only by those at the hotdog and chip stalls outside.

At the Winters School of Hairdressing, hair straighteners are steaming and clouds of hairspray fill the hall.

Around the corner, Cut Above Academy has students lining up for French manicures, hand massages, mini-facials and haircuts.

The expo is to help students make decisions. There are universities, polytechnics, design and art schools. There is Peter Minturn's goldsmith school for aspiring jewellers, film and acting schools, and Mighty River Power is looking for recruits. The Institute of Chartered Accountants promises a life beyond the number crunching.

It can all be a bit overwhelming.

At the Army stand, Tui Shepheard is at the wheel of a light operational vehicle. The Western Springs College year 12 student is so impressed, she might join the Army. "Why not the Army? Or I might be a chef."

A group of boys are questioning Army recruiting Warrant Officer James Lloyd.

Warrant Officer Lloyd says the number of women entering the Army has risen over the past two years, perhaps because of the Lara Croft-style ads.

"We get princesses, those who want to do combat and the ones who want to be tradespeople.

"There are jobs for everyone."

For Tanya McPherson, a tourism and travel career beckons.

"It is hard to decide because there's so many options. You don't want to make a big mistake. It's money as well. Money, money, money. It's so expensive so if you do decide to change course, you're going to end up with more debt."

A trio of Rangitoto College boys have all decided on trades, but are yet to choose whether to be builders, plumbers or electricians.

Hamish Wright agrees this is a change from his childhood hopes of being an astronaut or fireman.

His friend Matthew Jordan accepts he will probably change his mind again at some stage.

The Careers Expo is in its 16th year. It runs until tomorrow and is open from 10am to 3pm, and from 4pm to 7pm.

University is not for everybody

Angela McCarthy, careers consultant, says many parents expect their children to go to university, regardless of whether it is a suitable choice.

"There is a lot of pressure from parents who worry about their children and think if they don't go to university they're never going to get anywhere. That's just not true. If they like to learn by doing practical, hands-on things, university may not be the place for them anyway. But there is that pressure and the fear that their children are not going to be successful."

Trades such as building should not be ignored.

"Many parents don't like the idea their child will do a trade instead of a degree. But it's the plumbers who have the flash houses along the Papamoa shoreline."

If parents were concerned about their child's decision, they could speak to a careers counsellor at the school about what was suitable for their child.

School leavers who were not sure what to do could take a break for a year and work at entry level in an industry they were interested in.

Uncertain students could also take a general qualification and specialise later.