Not sure what to do after high school?
Defence offers options for everyone, be it for a gap year or as a way to go to uni while being paid.
Working out your career path after school can sometimes feel like standing at a crossroads without a map. Luckily, Defence has a GPS! If you’re torn between uni, trade school or just taking off to travel, check out Celenia’s story below for inspiration.
Aside from general entry options or going straight to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) to get your degree, Defence offers a gap year program for Year 12 grads.
It’s a great way to get a feel for what a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force would actually be like. Plus, you could learn some sweet life skills, make new friends and develop leadership qualities you can take anywhere.
Other ADF entry options
There are several ways to join the Navy, Army or Air Force with many roles offering more than one entry method. These include General Entry, Qualified Entry, Officer Entry and Defence University Sponsorship.
Choose your path
For help to choose the best option for you visit www.adfcareers.gov.au
Profile: Aviation Technician Aircraft, Navy
Celenia was tossing up between uni or a trade qualification and found a happy medium with Defence.
When graduating high school at age 17, Celenia wasn’t sure whether she’d prefer uni or a trade, but she did know she wanted a mix of mechanical and physical.
As an aviation technician in the Navy, Celenia has hit on a career combining the best of both worlds.
She picked the Navy for the travel opportunities and aviation to fast-track her education with a view to one day working in the civil aviation industry.
“What I wasn’t expecting was to make mates for life, not only from Australia but from all around the world,” Celenia says.
Her job involves maintaining the MH-60R Seahawk helicopters at 808 Squadron. This includes maintaining fuel, hydraulic and flight control systems.
Celenia says she’s had some great female mentors helping her to navigate the aviation industry and find a good work-life balance, and she’d love to see more women joining aviation.
Celenia’s path to becoming an Aviation Technician Aircraft
- IET Training in Wagga Wagga
- Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)
- A Class Aviation License
- B1 Class Aviation License
- 808 Squadron Flight 806, call sign “Electra”
This post was first published in Issue 3 of Careers with STEM: Defence, and is sponsored by Defence.
