M-T1-YS-04 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

Rotary Careers Day

Opens realistic career conversations across trades, professions, public service and emerging work without selling employers or treating one pathway as superior.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-YS-04 · Rotary Careers Day
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme YS: Youth & Schools
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-YS-04 · Rotary Careers Day

Why a club might use this

Students gain candid pathway information, local contacts through the school and a broader view of work and service.

Use it when

  • Secondary students, career educators, local employers, training providers and diverse vocational role models. Use when a school identifies a year level and careers-learning gap.

Before the club starts

  • School-approved event plan, accessibility needs and adult supervision ratios.
  • Speaker brief covering safe conduct, no recruitment, no gifts and inclusive language.
  • Balanced program checked for gender, cultural and occupational representation.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
$$ — materials, transport and refreshments; seek in-kind venue support without advertising rights.
Lead time
8–10 weeks.
People
5–8 members, school staff and 8–15 vetted contributors.

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for Rotary Careers Day
StepActionSuggested owner
1Survey the school on student interests and missing pathway information.Careers coordinator
2Recruit and vet a balanced speaker and exhibitor mix.Vocational service lead
3Publish a rotating session plan with quiet-space and access arrangements.Event lead
4Run short conversations and practical demonstrations under school supervision.Session hosts
5Give the school verified resources and gather anonymous usefulness ratings.Evaluation lead

Controls and safeguards

  • No speaker may solicit students, collect personal contacts or offer informal work experience.
  • Any placement discussion goes through the school's authorised work-experience process.
  • HIGH — minors, employer influence and work-experience enquiries require school-controlled contact and anti-solicitation rules.

What to measure

  • Breadth of pathways and sectors represented.

Follow-up: Within three school days, send the careers team a vetted resource pack and speaker contacts; route any placement interest through the school's formal process.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-YS-12
  • M-T1-YS-13
  • M-T1-BV-24

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.