Transitioning to Uni: What to Expect in the First Year – Webinar for Parents
Organisation: University of Sydney
Location: Online
Date: 27 October 2025
Your young person may be on track to achieve their goal of studying at university. An exciting transition filled with challenges and opportunities awaits as they adapt to their new learning environment. Tune in to this webinar to find out about how you can support a smooth transition into university by understanding the process and support available, as well as gaining insights about the first-year experience.
From finding out how to accept an offer and navigate enrolment through to knowing which events in the Welcome Week program are not to be missed and beyond, this webinar will ensure your young person is set for success as they enter an exciting new chapter of life.
Topics will include:
- Accepting an offer and enrolment support
- The onboarding and transition program
- Navigating the administration of university study
- Ongoing support and community
Find out more
Study Chemical, Biomolecular and Environmental Engineering at the University of Sydney – Webinar for Future Students
Organisation: University of Sydney
Location: Online
Date: 29 October 2025
Chemical and Environmental Engineering are closely linked fields that address global challenges like clean energy, water security and pollution control. Chemical engineers transform raw materials into valuable products across key industries, while Environmental engineers focus on protecting ecosystems and public health.
At the University of Sydney, Environmental Engineering draws on Chemical, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, reflecting its interdisciplinary approach and real-world impact.
Join this webinar to explore how our degrees in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Environmental Engineering combine practical learning, research and industry experience to help you build a more sustainable future.
Find out more
Charles Sturt University Making It In Media Workshop for Year 9-12 Students in Bathurst
Organisation: Charles Sturt University
Location: CSU Bathurst Campus
Date: 14 November 2025
Are you passionate about content creation, news, journalism, media, advertising or public relations? If you’re a student in Years 9, 10, 11 or 12, join us for our free Making it in Media workshop!
Ever wondered what it’s really like to host a podcast, write newsworthy articles or work in TV? In this exciting full-day workshop, you’ll dive deep into the dynamic worlds of design and content creation, news and media, and strategic communication.
This interactive, hands-on experience invites you to collaborate with other students and explore the diverse majors you’ll discover at Charles Sturt.
Find out more
Architecture Club at Sydney Opera House – Experiment Like an Architect
Organisation: Sydney Opera House
Location: Sydney Opera House Centre for Creativity
Date: 22 November 2025
Inspired by the unique design genius of architect Jørn Utzon and the Sydney Opera House, get creative through a series of fun and playful design exercises for beginners or design lovers, whilst learning about the architectural history of the Sydney Opera House.
This workshop will consider the way new materials can create new models and functions in architecture. Participants will learn to play and test just like Utzon. What results can we create?
Recommended for both adults and young people 12 and over. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Find out more
UNSW Equity Scholarships for Commencing Undergraduate Students
Organisation:Â University of New South Wales
Location:Â Australia
Value:Â Up to $25,000 AUD per year
Open Date: 1 July 2025
Close Date: 18 November 2025
Adaptability
Why employers love adaptable staff
If you’ve ever looked at job advertisements, you’ve probably noticed that almost every single one mentions something about being “adaptable” or “flexible” or “able to work in a fast-paced environment”. It’s not just corporate jargon – employers genuinely value this quality, often rating it above technical skills or qualifications. But why does adaptability matter so much in the workplace, and what does it actually mean in practice?
Understanding why employers love adaptable staff can help you recognise and develop this skill in yourself, articulate it better in job applications, and appreciate why it’s worth cultivating regardless of what career path you choose.
Adaptable people solve problems instead of creating them
When something unexpected happens at work (and it will, constantly), adaptable employees don’t freeze or complain. They assess the situation, work out what needs to happen, and get on with it. This might sound simple, but it’s actually quite rare and incredibly valuable.
Imagine a retail worker who discovers the stockroom system has crashed right before a big sale, or a kitchen hand whose supplier delivers the wrong ingredients an hour before service. An adaptable person doesn’t just shrug and say “not my problem” or shut down in a panic. They think creatively, communicate with the right people, and find workable solutions even when circumstances aren’t ideal.
For managers and business owners, this means fewer crises landing on their desks and more confidence that things will keep running even when they’re not there to micromanage every situation. It’s the difference between an employee who expands your capacity and one who limits it.
In practical terms, this problem-solving adaptability might look like:
- Suggesting alternative approaches when the usual method won’t work in a particular situation
- Taking initiative to contact suppliers, colleagues, or customers to resolve issues rather than waiting to be told what to do
- Staying calm when things go wrong helps everyone else stay focused on solutions rather than panicking
- Learning from mistakes and adjusting their approach next time, rather than making the same errors repeatedly
These employees don’t need their hand held through every unusual situation, which makes them exponentially more valuable than workers who can only function when everything goes exactly according to plan.
It signals other valuable qualities
Adaptability usually comes packaged with other characteristics that employers value. When someone demonstrates genuine adaptability, they’re often also showing that they possess a cluster of related skills and attitudes that make them excellent employees.
People who are genuinely adaptable tend to be emotionally resilient, able to handle setbacks and disappointments without falling apart or becoming hostile. They recover from mistakes, accept constructive feedback, and don’t take every change personally. When they make an error, they acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on rather than becoming defensive or dwelling on it for days.
They’re also typically self-aware enough to recognise when their usual approach isn’t working and adjust accordingly. They can step back, assess situations objectively, and make strategic choices about their behaviour and responses. If a particular customer seems frustrated by their usual friendly chat, they recognise this and adjust to a more efficient, business-like approach. If a colleague seems overwhelmed, they offer help rather than adding to their stress.
Adaptable people usually have a growth-oriented mindset rather than a fixed one. They see challenges as opportunities to develop rather than threats to their competence, which means they’re more likely to keep improving over time. When faced with a task they haven’t done before, their response is typically “I’ll work it out” rather than “I can’t do that”.
Perhaps most practically, they’re simply less dramatic and easier to manage. They don’t create unnecessary conflicts, catastrophise normal workplace challenges, or require excessive emotional support from managers and colleagues. They distinguish between genuine crises and routine difficulties, and can handle issues without making them everyone else’s problem.
When an employer identifies someone as adaptable during the hiring process, they’re often picking up on these related qualities as well, making that person particularly attractive as a potential employee. It’s not just about one skill – it’s about a whole package of attributes that make someone reliably good to work with.
What this means for you
If you’re preparing to enter the workforce or looking to progress in your career, developing genuine adaptability is one of the smartest investments you can make. It’s not about being a pushover or never having opinions – it’s about being someone who can handle reality as it is rather than only functioning when circumstances are perfect.
The good news is that adaptability is a skill you can develop through practice. Every time you handle an unexpected change well, work effectively with someone whose style differs from yours, or learn a new skill outside your comfort zone, you’re building adaptability. The experiences that feel challenging now (whether that’s changing schools, adjusting to new teachers, dealing with disrupted plans, or learning to work with difficult people) are actually teaching you one of the most valuable workplace skills you could develop.
When you’re writing job applications or preparing for interviews, think about times you’ve demonstrated adaptability. These don’t need to be dramatic stories – they might be about how you adjusted when a part-time job turned out different from what you expected, handled a last-minute change to a group project, or learned to use a new piece of technology at school. Being able to articulate these experiences clearly shows employers that you understand what adaptability means and have evidence that you can do it.
Mrs Helen Jones
Career Development Officer
