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Draw a card

Conversation cards for families

Talk about the future, together.

Conversation cards and a short guide that help families talk about school, work and the future. Draw a card, take turns, and listen. There are no right answers.

Open the full deckRead the family guide

For primary school to school leaversFree to printNothing you draw is saved

Draw a card

Talk about the future, together.

Choose an age group and a theme, or leave them open, then draw a card.

Ten minutes at the table

No preparation and no right answers. Families use the cards over dinner, in the car or on a walk.

  1. 1

    Pick

    Choose an age group and a theme, or use the whole deck.

  2. 2

    Draw

    Take turns to draw a card and read it out loud.

  3. 3

    Listen

    Ask "Tell me more". Anyone can pass, adults included.

  4. 4

    Look it up

    When nobody knows the answer, find out together.

Six themes

Pick one theme for a short chat, or mix them. Each comes with a listening tip.

Interests

What is something you could do for hours without noticing the time?

Draw from interests

Strengths

What is something you have got better at this year? How did you do it?

Draw from strengths

Worries

When you think about finishing school, what feels exciting and what feels worrying?

Draw from worries

Money

What are some different ways people earn money?

Draw from money

Study and work options

What do you know about the different ways people learn a job: university, TAFE, apprenticeships and traineeships, or learning on the job?

Draw from study and work options

Values

What makes a job a good job, in your opinion?

Draw from values

Cards for every age

Each card is marked with the age groups it suits, from the first years of school to the year after it. Some cards ask the adults to answer too.

Primary schoolFoundation to Year 6Early secondaryYears 7 to 9Senior secondaryYears 10 to 12School leaversFinishing school and after

Why families matter

A critical driver

Australian research using the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth found that parental influence is a critical driver of young people's educational and occupational aspirations.

Source: NCVER, The factors affecting the educational and occupational aspirations of young Australians (LSAY research, 2014) (opens another site)

More on why it matters

In the language you speak at home

Talking in the language a family is most comfortable with helps everyone say what they mean. The cards and guide are being prepared in the languages most used at home in Australia.

  • English
  • 简体中文
  • العربية
  • Tiếng Việt
  • 繁體中文
  • ਪੰਜਾਬੀ

Languages

For schools and libraries

Printed packs for families, a parent evening session outline, and print-ready files for your own copies.

Schools and libraries

More from Career Calling for families

A guide for parents and carersCareer Calling Schools: six things that help, and questions worth asking.schools.careercalling.com.au Help them decide, without deciding for themCareer Calling Advice: support for families and a family decision checklist.advice.careercalling.com.au Your CareerThe Australian Government careers website: jobs, study and training.yourcareer.gov.au