If you’re in high school or university and are seeking a job it’s easy to start building real work experience and relevant skills into your resume before you ever step foot into a workplace.

Work experience is unlike almost any other part of a student’s schooling life. As an educator, it means entrusting private businesses with your students’ education and wellbeing.

But what does it actually mean to have a mentor? What role do they play in your life and how do you use their knowledge to advance yourself?

Choose a uni degree. Pick a trade. Sometimes it can feel like these are your only two options. Like the ridiculous variety of stuff you’ve learned in 12 years of school was designed to shove you down one of two career paths. To be frank, that’s basic.

Now, more than ever, regional Australian businesses and industry need to support our school leavers by bridging the gap from school to working life.

Rhea's career has already taken her in so many different directions, which just goes to show the value of 21st-century experiences. Rhea talks about her journey and shares her advice for high school students.