CAREER PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Ready to shine?
Bold adventures
Start with a plan.
At Brightbound, we provide tailored, one-on-one career guidance for ambitious high school students.
With deep knowledge of university pathways and competitive entry programs, we help families move forward with a personalised plan. And with extensive experience in some of Queensland’s highest performing schools, we’re as fluent in ‘teen’ as we are in tertiary studies.
Big decisions for bright futures.
The transition to university is a major life milestone. And, often, this is the first adult decision your child will have made. For many students, the pressure to ‘get it right’ feels enormous.
We know these are life-changing decisions that deserve more than a quick chat and a handful of course guides. With our expertise and insight, we’ll give your child – and you – all the support needed to make a clear, considered and strategic plan.
Whether they’ve had a career goal since kindergarten, dream of following in your footsteps, or they’re still exploring their interests, our personalised approach opens pathways and guides your child towards career fulfilment.
Together, we’ll help map your child’s chosen path, with functional support and practical guidance to keep all their academic pathways open.
Your child deserves every opportunity to reach their potential with a personally and professionally fulfilling career. From understanding their options, through to subject selection and university preferences, we’re here to guide them through the whole process.
Bound for brilliance.
For students with clear goals
Reaching any tertiary studies goal requires a strategy. For sectors like law, medicine and dentistry, entry can be competitive and complex. With industry insight and expertise, we’ll help your child develop a career plan that gives them confidence and clarity in their subject and course selections. And with our insider knowledge of the university admissions process, you’ll have peace of mind that their application is 100% accurate, with no steps missed.
For students exploring their options
For some students, the freedom of choice can be overwhelming. If your child is still undecided on their career direction, we go far beyond templated career counselling and take the time to get to know them, their interests and abilities, to provide guidance as personalised as possible. If your child isn’t ready to decide, we focus on strategies that keep their options broad, giving them more time to set their goals.
For students seeking reassurance
If your child is considering a competitive career, such as law or medicine, or they’re concerned about reaching the ATAR for their preferred course, having multiple pathways can be incredibly reassuring. We provide guidance and strategies to create alternative entry opportunities, including bridging courses, preferences, and offer-round tactics.
Let’s get started!
View the packages below for Junior and Senior students.
PACKAGES
How we help.
Big decisions deserve a structured approach. Whether your child is choosing senior subjects or preparing for university applications, our two core packages provide focused, expert guidance at the moments that shape their future.
Available in-person (Brisbane) or via Zoom across Australia and overseas
Year 9 & 10 - Junior Students
Subject Selection & Pathway Planning
$650
1.5hour consultation + resources
Subject selections set the foundation for your child’s future, with the potential to influence your child’s options for years to come. This focused session will help your child understand how to transform their skills and interests into a career.
Together, we’ll refine their subject selections and create a personalised pathway strategy that keeps their options open through their senior years.
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Understanding their options, through current subjects, results and activity participation, as well as career personality assessments
The benefits of different pathways – ATAR, VET and International Baccalaureate,
Early entry opportunities, including early offer rounds and university entrance during school
Getting your subject selection right – meeting pre-requisite requirements, which subjects are best suited to your goals, and what’s best for keeping your options open
University scholarship opportunities
Detailed information on pathways to medicine, law, dentistry and veterinary science
Alternate pathways, including defence, international university entry and bridging subjects
Specialised opportunities, such as international study and elite athlete opportunities
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As well as confidence in your child’s decisions and career direction, you’ll receive:
Your child’s career personality assessment report and analysis
A personalised list of year 10, 11 and 12 subjects
Pathways Plan – detailing admission testing, subject prerequisite knowledge, links to courses at universities in Australia and overseas, and relevant scholarship opportunities
Career-specific guides & resources for competitive courses of interest, such as medicine, law and engineering, including our admission testing guide
Scholarship Applications Guide
Brightbound’s exclusive templates, including CV and academic profiles
Handwritten meeting notes
Year 11 & 12 - Senior Students
Future Pathways & University Planning
$650 (new clients)
$550 (existing/returning clients
1.5hour consultation + resources
Now is the time to put planning into practice. We’ll help your child finalise their career direction and review what steps are needed to reach their goals.
Whether your child has a clear goal in mind or needs guidance, this session will deliver confidence, clarity, and practical support to navigate the tertiary admissions process.
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Choosing the right university - how to research course planners, specific subjects, majors, assessments and lecture formats
An in-depth explainer of the QTAC application process, including key dates, second round options, alternative entry pathways, and bridging courses
Understanding the admission testing strategies for competitive courses, including medicine, dentistry and vet science
Review of ATAR adjustment applications, including Educational Access Scheme, Rural Access Scheme and Elite Athlete applications
Early offer schemes, including how to write personal statements and applications
International university applications, including suggested extra-curricular activities, key dates, academic profiles and sports CVs
Advice on portfolio submissions for creative arts degrees, including music, film, animation, acting, design and visual arts
Scholarship advice, including how to prepare an application, academic profile, and sports CV
Insight into pathways and opportunities for elite athletes
How to apply to international and interstate universities
Career-specific strategies, such as medicine applications, backup courses and alternative pathways
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As well as a deep understanding of the application process and next steps for your child, you’ll receive:
A Career Action Plan containing access to key resources, application information and a checklist
Guides for relevant universities, degrees, jobs, apprenticeships, scholarships and admission testing
Brightbound’s exclusive templates, including CV and academic profiles
Key dates planner for all university and scholarship applications
Specialised guides for medicine & dentistry pathways
Handwritten meeting notes
Year 12 - Specialised Support
Our specialised application support gives you complete confidence that nothing is missed in your child’s admission process, so you can focus on the excitement of end-of-year events and external exams
Australian University Applications (August)
$300 (+ Seniors Package)
$250 existing clients (Virtual)
Hands-on guidance and support to complete your university applications accurately and strategically to maximise your options. We also provide support after ATAR is released and during offer rounds to make any adjustments.
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QTAC/UAC/VTAC set-up, course selection and preference management based on your current and expected results
Early offer assistance
Elite athlete applications
Scholarship considerations, including identifying potential scholarships and application processes
Practical administration, including how to apply for a USI number and register for the key portals (ATAR, QTAC, UAC and VTAC)
Identification of any required or recommended bridging courses
International University Applications - (UK / US)
$650 (Virtual)
From $650(Virtual)
The process of applying to international universities is quite different to Australia. We’ll walk you through the process, so your child can be confident in creating an application that stands out.
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A review of current results and preferences
Identification of any new courses, subjects and majors
Key admin tasks, like registering for your ATAR
How to register and apply through Common App, UCAS or directly to the university
Insider knowledge and support on writing the personal statement, including what each uni is looking for, how to write and what to include. We’ll also offer editing and proofreading
Assistance with gathering and submitting references
How to prepare an academic transcript
Identification of possible scholarships
Scholarship applications - Academic or Sport
From $650 (Virtual)
University scholarships can completely transform your child’s tertiary education experience – which is why they’re so competitive. Our expert guidance can help you put together an application that shines
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Managing application dates
Writing an effective and compelling personal statement and question responses
How to write a cover letter that highlights key achievements
Building an academic profile and sports CV
Tips to provide to referees
Script-writing for video applications
Editing and proofreading
University Timetabling
From $350 (Virtual)
The transition from high school to tertiary studies is huge. While we can’t help your child avoid their first all-nighter, we can help them make a confident start.
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Walk your child through how to register for their university portal
Explore HECS, including the administrative tasks
Guide them on how to structure their degree through subject selection and efficient timetabling
Support them to register for lectures, tutorials, workshops and practicals
Provide guidance on how to access key information for orientation, lectures, assessments and academic integrity
What our clients are saying.
ABOUT BETH
At Brightbound, Beth uses her extensive knowledge and personalised approach to empower students in their steps towards meaningful futures.
As a highly experienced Career Development Practitioner, Beth understands the pressure young people face as they make their most important academic and career decisions.
Known for her ability to engage with students, Beth brings insider-level insight and a detailed understanding of ATAR, university admissions and alternative entry pathways to every conversation.
Beth also has extensive knowledge of how to access opportunities for elite athletes and academic high achievers.
As a Career Counsellor for one of Queensland’s top-performing schools, Beth has travelled the world with students, visiting universities across the UK and overseas, including Cambridge University in England and St George's International Medical School in Grenada. This rare expertise enables her to support competitive international applications, including scholarships.
Qualifications & Memberships
Master of Educational Studies - Career Development
Career Development Association of Australia
Career Industry Council of Australia
Queensland Association of Student Advisers
FREE WALL PLANNER
Success starts with preparation.
Last-minute cramming rarely delivers the best results. It’s the same for career planning. With our Guide to University Planning, you’ll never miss a milestone, deadline or opportunity in your child’s university preparation, whether they’re in Year 9 or ready to graduate.
Download the Guide to University Planning: Career Development for High School Students.
HOW IT WORKS
It’s their time to shine.
The best time to start planning is now. Managing work, school, and extra-curricular activities is a juggle, which is why we offer weekend and evening sessions.
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Decide
Decide which package is best for your child - Junior or Senior + Specialised Support
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Submit
Get in touch with us via the form below
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Confirm
We’ll follow up with our availability, and we’ll book your in-person or virtual session.
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Preparation
We’ll share a student questionnaire ahead of our booking to help us tailor your session.
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Meet
We’ll meet you at your home or online at the scheduled time and take payment
Get in touch.
If you’re not quite sure which session is right for you, or you’d like to know more about our process, please reach out.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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We provide personalised career counselling for high school and university students. Our sessions cover everything from subject selection and career planning to QTAC applications and university preparation (right down to building an efficient university timetable!). Our sessions are much more in-depth than generic career-matching. We see your child as an individual and support them in reaching their career aspirations and full potential.
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All sessions are led by Beth Gilpatrick, an experienced Career Practitioner and advisor, specialising in supporting students across Queensland, Australia, and internationally.
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Yes. We guide students through early entry programs and adjustment schemes, such as EAS, elite athlete, and rural access applications. Having support means you can be confident that you’ve done everything you can to help your application stand out.
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Absolutely. Beth has visited a range of international universities and offers expert insight. We support applications to the UK and the US, including personal statements, essays, and the overall application strategy.
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Returning clients can book follow-up virtual sessions at a reduced price — this is common for those who need help with applications in Term 3 or 4.
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Absolutely. While we’re based in Queensland, our virtual services support students living and applying all across Australia and around the world. Beth is sought after for her expertise in applying to international universities and often engages Australian students studying overseas who wish to return to university in Australia
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Ideally, the best time to start is in Year 9, before your child chooses their senior subjects. This ensures they meet the prerequisite requirements for courses they may be interested in. Of course, the high school years can tend to fly by, and plans change, so we frequently work with students in Years 10–12 and even post-school as they make university and career decisions.
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Yes, we offer both in-person and virtual consultations depending on your location, needs and preferences.
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The Year 11 package is focused on career options, while the Year 12 package is more hands-on and practical. In the Year 11 package, we explore future career options and how to keep pathways open. The Year 12 package guides students through the university entry process (including competitive courses like medicine), scholarship planning, and the intricacies of applications.
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Our University Application Package is available as an add-on to our Career Planning Packages for existing or returning clients. If you haven’t had a career planning session with us yet, we can offer a combined Year 12 and University Application package.
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Absolutely — we assist with both academic and sporting scholarships, including support in writing personal statements, CVs, and profiles.
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We use career personality and interest assessments to guide decisions and develop personalised Career Action Plans for each student.
