Nursing, the navy band and a thrift flip side-hustle: The post-school dreams for these students

One dreams of becoming a nurse. Another has his eye on joining the Navy band. Yet another hopes to turn her second-hand clothing hobby into a side hustle.

With HSC exams beginning October 13, the Herald spoke to five year 12 students from Sydney’s The Forest High about their post-school plans. These ranged from travel to studying nursing to becoming an archaeologist. But on one point the students were clear – despite huge fees, a hollowed-out post-COVID experience and threat posed by AI – university remains a winner.

Inspired by trips to his father’s Italian homeland, Benjamin Attanasio is on his way to Macquarie University for a bachelor of history, having already been accepted into the course through an early entry scheme.

“I want to be an archaeologist. I want to do restoration of art,” Attanasio said.

After completing his degree, Attanasio plans to complete a TAFE qualification in restoration.

Aishwarya Kalra has also already received an early acceptance offer and is bound for the University of NSW’s bachelor of design. Becoming an exchange student and starting a side-hustle based on her love of the thrift flip – transforming second-hand clothes into custom garments – are also on her to-do list.

“I would take eight gap years and five years discovering myself. But that’s not really realistic,” she said.

Finding a job in her chosen field and not losing herself are among her post-school worries.

“I’m concerned I’m going to lose myself a little bit because there are so many things I want to try and do. I don’t really want to be in a strict path of design – I would love to try other things,” she said.

Also interested in the creative is 17-year-old Jesse McMaster.

“I’m going for an ATAR, but I haven’t selected any unis because I don’t want to force myself into something when I can do all of it – start producing my own music, maybe apply for dance studios, and then just continue to go,” she said.

After her HSC is over, McMaster’s short-term plans are to work in a coffee shop as she saves up to travel.

“[I’m excited about] the freedom – you get to do anything. I’m excited to explore the world. I feel like that can really show who you are, who you want to become.”

David Gojak’s post-school path also involves music; the 17-year-old French horn player has already been accepted into Sydney Conservatorium of Music to study a bachelor of composition.

After that, he hopes to join the navy band, following a work experience stint with the organisation.

While he worries about the impact of AI on musical composition, Gojak remains confident that performing won’t be a problem.

“You need lungs, you need lips, you need hands to play. Music is done by humans – it’s not perfect and it’s beautiful, because if something is perfect, it loses its beauty. It’s meaningless.”

Also unbothered by the march of artificial intelligence on entry-level jobs is aspiring nurse Shirley Gu.

Motivated by her love of helping people, Gu says the AI-proof nature of nursing also appeals.

“AI can’t give out medicine, it can’t prescribe. It doesn’t know all that. So I don’t think that would be an issue for me,” she said.

The excellent reputation of the nursing school at the University of Technology, Sydney is not its only appeal for Gu.