Future You Summit asks teens: Who do you want to become?
They’re young and have the world at their feet … but the big question for the 305 teenagers from 148 regional and city high schools attending the 2026 QUT Future You Summit is: Who do you want to become?
The school holidays summit will be held at QUT in Brisbane from June 30 to July 3 to empower Year 11 and 12 students to explore possible futures through hands-on workshops and seminars with QUT students, staff and alumni and industry guests.
They will work on practical projects in areas ranging from robotics, engineering, and digital storytelling to business markets, law, climate challenges, and health and wellbeing.
The high schoolers are travelling from places including Cairns, Innisfail, Ingham, Mackay, Gladstone, the Darling Downs, Goondiwindi and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts – as well as northern New South Wales, Norfolk Island and Groote Eylandt off the Northern Territory. (See full list of regions below.)
For some of the visiting teens, the four-day event will cement plans already formed.
For others, it will be the foundation of new possibilities.
Sherman Yue from Fairholme College in Toowoomba already knows her dream job is to be an optometrist.
“I applied for the QUT Future You Summit because it is my dream uni, and I like going to different events hosted by universities so I can get a feel for life after high school,” she said.
“Growing up, I've struggled with eye problems, and my optometrist has been a huge inspiration for me. He treated me kindly and always remembered the little details.
“I also look up to my dad, who works in IT. He's taught me so much of what I know, and I am generally just interested in how quickly technology can advance.”
For Ingham State High student Addison Dilena, the summit is a chance to test-drive the idea of being a uni student in Brisbane.
“I’ve had my mind set on studying online and at home for quite a few years now, but I’ve never really considered what campus life could be like,” she said.
“I am hoping that the summit will provide me with a new insight as to what life could be like living away from home in a big city.”
Addison is considering studying law or criminal forensics and will take part in the summit’s Advocators stream (one of 10 themed streams students choose from). .
“I have always been the type of person to share my voice and stick up for my friends and family – I always argue for what I believe is fair,” she said.
Dalby State High student Madeline Alexander is keeping her career options open and hoping next week will provide valuable inspiration.
“I applied for the QUT Future You Summit to help me explore potential courses and future career opportunities and help me decide what I want to do next year,” she said.
“It will also let me get familiar with the QUT campus layout and meet students from around Queensland who are also interested in studying there.”
Music, behavioural science and climate science all interest her as possible study paths.
“I have always had a passion for music and how people connect with music, while meteorology – and extreme weather patterns in particular – is another key interest area of mine,” she said.
Professor Rowena Barrett, who is QUT’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship and Regional Innovation), said the annual Future You Summit was an amazing opportunity for students from regional areas and Brisbane.
“The QUT Future You Summit empowers Queensland Year 11 and 12 students to explore who they want to become and how QUT can help them get there,” she said.
“It’s an immersive experience that encourages critical thinking and creativity, and blends academic discovery, personal growth and future-readiness.
“Students choose a stream that matches their interests – including science, engineering, business, health, law, and creative industries – and get to work with QUT academics, current students, alumni, and professionals on practical projects.”
Participation in the summit – including transport and boarding for regional students – is heavily subsidised by QUT, with students only paying a $50 registration fee for the four-day experience.
“We want to make higher education as accessible as possible for all students,” Professor Barrett said.
“This year, 85 students accepted for the summit are from lower socio-economic status communities and 15 students identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, reflecting our continued reach into lower SES communities and First Nations representation.”
QUT Future You Summit participants – the class of 2026:
- South-East Queensland: 100 schools from Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redland, Logan, the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and the Sunshine Coast
- Central Queensland: 17 schools from Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and Yeppoon
- Darling Downs South-West: 5 schools from Goondiwindi, Kingaroy, Lockyer Valley and Toowoomba
- Far North Queensland: 6 schools from Cairns, Atherton and Innisfail
- North Coast: 10 schools from Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Gympie, Kilcoy, and Maryborough
- North Queensland: 4 schools from Bowen, Charters Towers and Ingham
- Northern NSW and Norfolk Island: 5 schools from Northern NSW and 1 school from Norfolk Island.
This year’s QUT Open Day on July 26 will be another opportunity for people to experience the university’s campuses, talk to staff and students, and learn more about courses and careers.
Check out the Open Day program before visiting, along with the Match My Skills quiz for course inspiration.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au
