Dr Jennifer Luke, PhD

Hi, I’m Jennifer. Careers counsellor, researcher, lecturer, resource developer, and keynote speaker. I’m passionate about decent, meaningful work at every age and stage of life, and about connecting the dots between who people are, what the world of work is doing, and what is genuinely possible from where they’re standing.

Everyone has a story. Everyone has value. And everyone deserves a clear view of what’s actually available to them.

My path into this work began in Information Technology as a software and digital media developer and trainer. It then took me into employment services and vocational training across Queensland and the Northern Territory, where I worked with job seekers, agency staff, employers, and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes.

While completing a Master of Education in Career Development and a PhD in Vocational Psychology, I worked in universities as a careers counsellor and educator. Looking back, my own career shows how seemingly unrelated experiences can connect in meaningful ways. What I learned along the way continues to shape how I approach career development today.

To me, career development is about understanding yourself, paying attention to what’s happening around you, and staying open to change. Workforce trends and labour market information matter because they help people make sense of their experiences, recognise opportunities, and navigate their careers and lives with greater confidence.

What I Do

• Career counselling, coaching, and consulting for individuals and groups at any point in a working life – any age, any stage.
• Develop and facilitate or present workshops, webinars, lectures, and keynote presentations
• Teaching, research and project work with universities and organisations, short or long term, including career education resources, curriculum development, career programs, graduate employability initiatives, professional development for career practitioners, and policy consultation
• Media discussions and published articles connecting labour market trends, skills gaps, and workforce knowledge retention to what they mean for people and their careers
• Practical career education resources built to leave people with something concrete to work with

Credentials and memberships

I am registered with the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and served as Queensland Division President of the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA) from 2020 to 2024. I am a member of various professional associations in career development, workforce research, and related fields (see below).

Where am I?
I’m currently based in the South East corner of Queensland, Australia – but work both locally and globally.

Work Motto:- Straight forward, focused & practical … always providing a clear outlook.

Further professional information can be found here and my ongoing research is listed here.

If any of this sounds like a good fit for what you need, feel free to contact me.

What I regularly talk, consult, and research about

career development theory into practice, workforce trends & skills gaps, industry recruitment & retention, staff development & workforce planning, employability & job search strategies

+

age diversity & older workers

workforce knowledge transfer & mentorship

inter-generational community building

pre- & post-retirement career development

lifelong learning & career development

retaining skills within work & community

rural community & workforce development

UN Sustainable Development Goals

academic & researcher career development

university graduate & staff employability

professional identity, work & wellbeing

decent & meaningful work – all ages