← All posts

8 quick wins to start the year right

· Thoughts

Ever wanted to cross something – anything – off your to-do list, just to get you moving? If so, then this edition of Pondering Careers is for you, because I’ve shared eight (8) quick wins you can check off in less than a day to start the year off right.

These are all things I do (or try to do 🤣) each year before I get too stuck into the day-to-day. They don’t take long, but if I get them done then it can make a big difference to how smoothly the rest of the year unfolds so I try to set aside some time to make them happen. None of these are massive projects, and they should all be achievable in a couple of hours or less plus you don’t need to tackle them all at once – you could work through the list from 1 to 8, or just pick the ones that make you most comfortable and go from there.

One word of caution: you’ll need to be disciplined to avoid falling into a black hole of organisation. While all of these tasks can be ticked off relatively quickly (and that’s going to be the plan here) if you wanted to and had the time you could turn them into mega projects that suck you in for days or even weeks, so be careful. If you feel yourself sliding then try setting a timer and giving yourself a set window for each task.

Here are the quick wins:

1 – Out with the old

Time Investment: DIY = 2 hours, AI assisted = 30 seconds if you believe the marketing

Give your recycling bin a workout and turf out any out-of-date guides, posters, and brochures. You know the ones I’m talking about; the 2023 university guides sitting at the back of the bookshelf, the out-of-date course brochures, and the STEM posters that you’ve had on the wall since 2024. Plus, this will clear up more space for all the new shiny things you’re bound to collect this year.

Whilst you’re at it, sort out your digital filing system. If you’re anything like me, over the year you’ll create a stack of new folders and files in locations that might have made sense at the time, but now look like they use the same labelling system as the tupperware in my freezer. My trick is to chuck all the files and folders from things that happened last year into one big ‘2025’ folder, that way I can focus on the things I know I’ll still need.

If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you could explore using Claude Cowork to help organise your computer files. I haven’t done this yet myself, but I’m tempted – this example shows how it can tap into a folder on your computer and organise its contents.

2 – In with the new

Time Investment: 30 mins if you shop online

Now that you’ve cleared the clutter, what do you actually need to order for the year ahead? Think about things like:

  • New guides, books, brochures – do you need to order anything in?

  • Fidget toys and tactile items for your office – Lis McGuire RCDP is always full of brilliant ideas like this, like the dart board she used recently for helping students target their goals:

  • Magazine holders or poster boards for a shiny new display

  • Fresh posters for your display areas (check out ours here)

  • Stationery supplies, including things like coloured pencils and spare paper for those moments when you need to draw out ideas with students

  • If you have the budget, could you make your seating/meeting area more comfortable?

Make a list now, get quotes if needed, and submit those orders before everyone else remembers they need things too.

3 – Set up your careers display

Time Investment: 2 hours (printing + laminating + blutack) or get students to help

Your physical space is often the first point of contact students have with career services, so make it count. Update your signage so you’re visible and welcoming, refresh your posters and brochures, and create something bright and attention-grabbing.

This is also a perfect time to think about how you’ll keep your displays current throughout the year. One approach that works well is having a regular rotation, some sort of theme that you can refresh on a regular basis to keep their attention, once you have it. I’ve used job of the month/week boards before on campus, and we’ve actually just turned the ones I used to use into a new Study Work Grow resource called Ponder Pathways. Each week features a different cluster of careers with accompanying posters, discussion prompts, and activities. It takes the mental load off having to come up with new content constantly whilst ensuring students are exposed to a wide variety of career possibilities throughout the year.

However you choose to design your display, this is one of the easiest and most impactful quick wins you can do.

4 – Upskill yourself

Time Investment: 1 hour to make a plan, longer for the learning

Is there anything you wish you’d known more about last year? Perhaps you struggled to support a particular segment of your student population, or you felt out of your depth when questions came up about emerging careers and technologies. Well, now is a good time to make a plan to fill in those knowledge gaps with some professional learning.

Some areas you might want to explore:

Block out some time in your calendar now for professional development. Even just an hour a week dedicated to reading, watching webinars, or exploring new resources can make a significant difference.

5 – Set your rhythm

Time Investment: 15 mins to 1 hour

One of the best things you can do for your sanity and effectiveness is to establish a predictable rhythm for the year. Decide when you’re going to send out emails and newsletters, schedule information sessions, set times for student appointments and group work sessions, and then actually write this down somewhere visible.

For example, I write Pondering Careers every second Thursday, and an item automatically pops into my Notion to-do list the week before to remind me to get writing. I have Team Meetings on Tuesdays, and set aside a couple of hours last thing on a Friday afternoon to review the week and prep for the one to come. These are scheduled in my calendar, so I can’t forget and book something else in that time if I’m in a rush.

Your rhythm could look something like this:

  • Weekly: Drop-in sessions on Tuesday lunchtimes, resume reviews on Thursday afternoons
  • Fortnightly: Newsletter to families, staff briefing
  • Monthly: Year-level presentations, industry speaker events
  • Termly: Career expos, subject selection information sessions

Put this information somewhere everyone can see it – perhaps a poster in your office, a page in your intranet, and a note on the staff notice board. When students, parents, and colleagues know when things happen, they can plan accordingly and you’ll field fewer “when are you doing X?” questions.

This also works well with Quick Win #6, which is:

6 – Publish a one-page “How Careers Works Here”

Time Investment: 15 mins to 1 hour

Create a simple document that explains:

  • Who students can come to for careers support (you, plus others on your team, as well as people they can reach in emergencies like their Head of Year)
  • When you’re available for appointments and drop-ins, and how to book if needed
  • The types of things you can help students and families with
  • What students can do to help themselves before seeking additional support
  • Where to find resources (your office, school website, careers hub)
  • Key dates for the year ahead

Print this out, send it in your first newsletter, post it on your school’s website and careers pages, and include it in any student planners or handbooks. If you’re a member school with us, add it to your Pathways Hub. You could also include this in your display area – make it accessible and visible.

This simple document answers the most common questions you’ll get asked repeatedly throughout the year, saving you time and empowering students to navigate the system more independently.

7 – Let them drop in

Time Investment: 30 mins to schedule the sessions and notify everyone, longer for the sessions

You may already have a schedule for student drop-ins, or it might not be something you can offer, but I always found it worked best for me when I got a bit more deliberate about them. I would designate one day a week for checking resumes, another for chatting about courses, and you could set aside a couple of blocks each week in the first two terms for things like subject selection and early entry.

This does a couple of things: first, it gives you a better way to prepare, since you’ll know what to expect on those days, rather than having each session be random. Next, it helps students to see that it’s ok to come in and talk about those things – you’re essentially giving them a menu of all the things you can help with, and telling them it’s ok to come with questions. It can also avoid the need for you to mess around with appointment booking, if there are set times they can drop in with quick questions.

You might also want to consider setting a routine to sit in the staff lunch room or common area at least once a week. This informal presence makes you more approachable and often leads to valuable conversations with colleagues who might not otherwise think to reach out. Teachers are more likely to refer students to you when they’ve had recent, positive interactions with you themselves.

8 – Check your network connections

Time Investment: 1-3 hours

The start of the year is a great time to review the people you have in your professional network. People often move on at the end of the year, so you might need to update your contacts, plus setting aside some time to go through your list now could help you work out who’s missing.

Your network could/should include:

  • Industry bodies and employers in your local area
  • University and TAFE representatives
  • Chamber of Commerce contacts
  • Department of Education connections (if applicable)
  • Alumni who work in interesting fields
  • Parents with relevant industry connections

Has anyone moved on to a new role? Do you need to update your database? Are there industries where you don’t have as many connections and need to build relationships?

Whilst you’re at it, update your own LinkedIn profile. Make sure it clearly states your role, what you do, and how people can connect with you. This makes it easier for industry contacts, parents, and other professionals to find and reach you. If you’re not sure where to start, I wrote an article about LinkedIn here.

Consider setting a goal for the year around networking – perhaps connecting with one new industry contact per month, or attending at least two Chamber of Commerce events per term. These relationships are invaluable when you’re trying to organise work experience placements, find guest speakers, or help students make connections in their fields of interest.

Which quick win are you going to tackle first?

These quick wins might seem small individually, but collectively they create a foundation that makes everything else easier. You’ll spend less time searching for resources, fielding the same questions repeatedly, or scrambling to organise events at the last minute.

More importantly, you’ll have created systems that allow you to focus on what really matters – having meaningful conversations with students, supporting them through complex decisions, and helping them navigate their pathways with confidence.

The start of the year is always busy, but investing a few hours now in getting organised will pay dividends throughout the months ahead. You don’t need to do everything on this list – pick the ones that resonate most with your situation and start there.

← All posts