Hosted by Alana Kilmartin, Founder of Unserious Careers

Apply for a free ticket to Seriously Ready
PORT LINCOLN, SA — DEC 2 ADELAIDE, SA — DEC 4 LAUNCESTON, TAS — DEC 8 HOBART, TAS — DEC 9 CAIRNS, QLD — DEC 12 TOWNSVILLE, QLD — DEC 13 NEWCASTLE, NSW — DEC 15 DARWIN, NT — DEC 17 MELBOURNE, VIC — JAN 15 SYDNEY, NSW — JAN 18 CANBERRA, ACT — JAN 20 BRISBANE, QLD — JAN 22 PERTH, WA — FEB 1

Finishing Year 12 in 2026?

Let me show you a career strategy for the first 12 months after school that's easy to apply and gets you ahead faster, without hating life.

Class of 2026

Year 12 is a BIG year.
And the world of work is a hot mess right now.

After all the build up to final exams and graduation, many Year 12 students enter what I call the "Oh Crap" Gap. Oh crap, what do I do now?

This event is built for the "Oh Crap" Gap.

What happens at this event

Three hours.
Three sessions.
Zero boring bits.

2026

2027

Please note that the actual rooms at these campuses will be confirmed closer to the event with directions sent via email so you know where to go!

9AM – 12PM
Think of this event as inspiring TED talk meets practical workshop, with a bit of gameshow energy thrown in. Click on each of the sessions below to find out what we'll cover:

01

This is where you'll be introduced to the concept of a Jump Year. Your Jump Year is the first year after you finish school. Not to be confused with a "Gap Year" (which only some students choose to take), everyone goes through a Jump Year.

02

You've spent a lot of time exploring what you want to do after school but chances are you haven't been taught how to launch a career. It's a flexible strategy for your Jump Year that every student can implement no matter what you're planning to do (or even if you have no plan at all). Learn it. Use it.

03

This is about putting together a one page plan for the next 12 months. Think of it as the start of your Playbook For Success. It doesn't have to be concrete, it can change, but it will give you some actionable next steps.

Seriously Ready National Tour hoodie with all city dates

Specific details like directions to the venue, transport options, what to bring, doors open time and the answer to "will there be snacks?" will be sent closer to the event.

→
Hacks to get ahead.
Help to make decisions.
Hype to feel inspired.

Who this is for

Doubters. Doers. Dreamers.

A post Year 12 event for the class of 2026

There are three types of students this event is made for: The Doubter, The Doer and The Dreamer. There's a good chance you're a mix of more than one but often there's one that feels the most relatable.

Dig into each type below.

Apply for a ticket now

Don't have time to apply now? Click here

And if you're thinking "I'm so sick of school" — great news. This is absolutely not school. This won't be a series of boring lessons. I like to say your career is an adventure, not an exam. Consider me a mentor helping you navigate it.

The problem

Why "Seriously Ready"?

In the last year, how many times have you heard a phrase like "AI is taking jobs" or a reference to the cost of living crisis? I'm seeing way too many awesome students dragged down by uncertainty. Trust me, there are incredible opportunities out there for any young person willing to go looking for them. That's why I called this event Seriously Ready:

  1. I want to help you get seriously ready (and genuinely excited) for your career.
  2. I'm seriously ready to give it to you straight so you know how to actually get ahead.

There are some honest conversations you and I can't have while you're still at school. With so much going on to make it to the finish line, you don't really have the mental space to take much more in. But with school over at the end of this year, that's going to change. Let me help you find opportunities faster.

2026

2027

Please note that the actual rooms at these campuses will be confirmed closer to the event with directions sent via email so you know where to go!

→
Feeling nervous about your ATAR?
Worried about ever making enough money?
Pumped to hit the ground running post-school?

Applying for a ticket

I'm releasing 1000 tickets for this tour across 13 events, available at this stage by application only. What's the price of a ticket? Dollar-wise: nothing. Time wise: however long it takes you to fill out the application form (which you could do in as little as 5 minutes).

I've got a mildly delusional hunch that there are enough businesses and organisations who want to back young Australians by funding this tour. You take care of your application and leave the rest to me.

Please note that while you may not pay anything in dollars, there is an expectation that you show up willing to go all in. If you don't show up, that's a spot that could have gone to another keen student who missed out on a ticket. Don't be that person.

Who can apply

  • Must be completing Year 12 in Australia in 2026
  • Must be available on the given date for your city or town
  • Must genuinely plan to attend (not just apply because it's free), though we get that life can be unpredictable

How it works

  1. Apply Submit your application form. It will ask for your contact details plus answers to some questions. Allow 5-10 minutes to complete it, though some people whizz through it faster or take extra time to think it over.
  2. Review Your application is reviewed. Note: applications are reviewed every two weeks, and there are a limited number of spots per location (and sometimes per school). If you miss out, you'll go straight onto the waitlist.
  3. Find out Find out via email if you've been successful.
  4. Confirm Confirm your spot by registering for the event and lock the date in your calendar. If you don't confirm within the stated timeframe, your spot will go to someone else.
  5. Get your ticket Keep an eye out for your ticket via email (you'll need to show this on the day) and any event communications in the lead up.

I can't stop you from using AI, but please know I'm not looking for perfectly polished sentences that read like a Year 12 English essay. What I really want is for you to tell me how you're honestly feeling about your future and why you'd like to come. Let your personality and sense of humour shine.

And if the self-doubt is creeping in — "What if I don't get accepted..." "I'm not good enough." "I'm not a leader." — I want you to ignore it and apply anyway. You're exactly the kind of person who needs to be at this event. Take the leap. What's the worst that can happen? At the very least, it's good practice for putting yourself out there post-school.

P.S. Encourage your friends to apply as well. Friends who get career ready together, stay together.

Alana Kilmartin presenting on stage Alana Kilmartin presenting on stage Alana Kilmartin presenting on stage

Your event host

Hey!
I'm Alana Kilmartin.
I'll be your mentor.

Founder and author of Unserious Careers.

Since 2025 I've visited 300+ high schools across Australia and NZ, talking to students about their futures. I believe every young person can build an epic career and life, no matter where they come from or how "smart" they were at school. Careers are kind of my thing.

Want to know more about me?

  • I wrote a book for school leavers called Unserious Careers. It's a fun guide to the first five years of your career and is the book I needed when I was 18.
  • Back in the day I completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Commerce. But then I became a travel agent and realised most of what I'd been told at school about how to build a successful career was wrong.
  • I want to achieve big things in my career AND enjoy my life. I don't think you should have to choose one over the other.
  • I'm not a teacher (you've spent enough time around them the last few years, right?).
  • Snacks are my favourite form of food.
  • I can technically speak Italian...but please don't ask me to. (I lived and worked in Italy on my gap year and have spoken the language for a total of 17 minutes since then.)
  • It's been way too long since I've gone snowboarding, but I'm in my business-building era and have no regrets.

What people say about Alana's events

As a rule, I don't do boring.

"That was the first time I've actually enjoyed a talk about jobs."

Student

"You made some serious topics not so serious, and this was so helpful in breaking down the barriers that exist when it comes to chasing their dreams."

Career Adviser

"We have to listen to loads of boring stuff, and this was the best presentation we have ever heard."

Student

"Alana was witty, engaging, and presented practical and inspirational career advice all young people need to hear."

Career Adviser

"She actually made careers make sense."

Student

"Alana was engaging, funny and all-round relatable. She remembered students' names, cracked jokes with them and spoke in such a way that had them feeling really positive when they left. Absolute bloody legend! 100/10!"

Teacher

"Alana creates an engaging atmosphere for the students with funny anecdotes, audience participation and best of all, cool prizes!"

Career Adviser

"Alana's energy, real-world examples and honest advice left our students feeling more confident, curious and ready to take the next step towards their goals."

Career Adviser

What you'll take away

Leave seriously ready
for what's next.

The strategy you learn can be used no matter what your career plans are, even if you have no idea what you want to do.

Excited

Leave this event feeling less stressed and more excited for your future.

Confident

Skip the most expensive mistakes students make and take actions that actually matter.

Prepared

Learn how to build a successful career in an uncertain world where AI keeps doing its own unpredictable thing.

Apply for a free ticket

Frequently asked questions

In person (13 different cities/towns across Australia)
  • Port Lincoln, SA → Uni Hub Spencer Gulf
  • Adelaide, SA → Flinders University
  • Launceston, TAS → University of Tasmania (River's Edge)
  • Hobart, TAS → University of Tasmania (The Forest)
  • Cairns, QLD → James Cook University
  • Townsville, QLD → James Cook University
  • Newcastle, NSW → University of Newcastle (Callaghan Campus)
  • Darwin, NT → Charles Darwin University (City Campus)
  • Melbourne, VIC → RMIT University (City Campus)
  • Sydney, NSW → Torrens University (Sydney City Campus)
  • Canberra, ACT → University of Canberra
  • Brisbane, QLD → Canterbury College
  • Perth, WA → Murdoch University
Please note that the actual rooms at these campuses will be confirmed closer to the event with directions sent via email so you know where to go!
The event runs for 3 hours from 9am to 12pm.
Yes this is specifically for students in Year 12 in Australia in 2026.
Yes it is free! I'm taking a bet that there are enough businesses and organisations in this country who want to get behind an event that helps awesome young people like you get ready for what's next. They'll be funding the tour.
The event will be a combination of interactive presentations and workshop-style activities delivered by me (Alana Kilmartin, author and founder of Unserious Careers). As the name of my book suggests, I don't do boring and won't be standing at the front of the room for 3 hours shouting advice. It will be interactive and you will have the opportunity to reflect, brainstorm and put action plans in place for your own career. Dare it be said...you might even have fun.
Every venue is different so I want to get this right for you. Please send me an email with your needs and I'll reach out to the venue to find out.
You can bring a friend as long as they have their own ticket. Send them the link to this page so they can apply too.
Depending on demand, further dates may be announced. Pop your name on the waitlist here.
At this stage there's no plan to add other destinations but never say never. Add your details to this waitlist and let me know which destination you'd like to see.
This event is for The Dreamers, The Doers and The Doubters, not The Don't Carers. The application form is designed to create a bit of friction so that you have to put in some effort. It's easy to register for an event because it's free but not really take the commitment of showing up seriously. I'm checking the applications to make sure that you've put that effort in and genuinely want to come.
You'll receive an email from me with the outcome within a couple of weeks. I aim to review the applications on a fortnightly basis.
I will send details in the email about what you need to do to confirm your spot, after which you'll receive your ticket. Then it's a matter of adding it to your calendar and keeping an eye on your emails for updates in the lead up.
Unfortunately there are limits to the number of students per venue and per school. If you are not successful, you'll be added to the waitlist in case any spots or additional dates become available.
I get it, life can be unpredictable. Flick me an email so we can pass your spot onto someone else → support@unseriouscareers.com
The strategy I'll be showing you at the event can be used regardless of whether you know what you want to do or not. If you don't know what you want to do it will help give you clarity and if you know exactly what you want to do it will help you accelerate in the first 12 months after school.
Absolutely not. I couldn't care less what your grades were at school. The rules for success change when it comes to your career and every single student can build something epic.
Yes! The events are being held at universities because they have great facilities for events like this and are often empty in December/January (not because this event is only for university-bound students).
Not if you don't want to. There will be opportunities for students to share their thoughts and participate in demonstrations at the front of the room but I always ask for volunteers.
100%...and I can totally relate. The Seriously Ready Strategy will help you figure out what actions to take in the first 12 months after school.
This event is just for students.
Technically I can't stop you from applying on behalf of your child but I wouldn't recommend it. It's their career and they're the ones who have to show up on the day so it's better for everyone if they invest the time.
This is in the works. Add your email here and I'll keep you in the loop.
No, not at all (as long as they're graduating Year 12 in 2026). I hold Working With Children Checks in multiple states.
That's the plan! Join the waitlist here and I can let you know when it's launching.
Exciting! Please send me an email → support@unseriouscareers.com
The quickest way is send them the link to this page and write a quick "Why this is an awesome opportunity and you should absolutely sign up" message. You can also flick me an email and I'll send you some marketing material.
PORT LINCOLN, SA — DEC 2 ADELAIDE, SA — DEC 4 LAUNCESTON, TAS — DEC 8 HOBART, TAS — DEC 9 CAIRNS, QLD — DEC 12 TOWNSVILLE, QLD — DEC 13 NEWCASTLE, NSW — DEC 15 DARWIN, NT — DEC 17 MELBOURNE, VIC — JAN 15 SYDNEY, NSW — JAN 18 CANBERRA, ACT — JAN 20 BRISBANE, QLD — JAN 22 PERTH, WA — FEB 1