Secondary students from across the Nelson region yesterday is reported to have accumulated at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology in a view to seek a genuine advice as to which direction they should choose as they enter the real world.

The top of the south Futures Conference witnessed local industry and potential career opportunities with students participating in a range of workshops.

Dana, a Nelson College for Girls student, quoted, "I have looked at so many options and for everyone I am like `no, no, no'. They just don't interest me."

She is not the only case; many lie in the same befuddling situation.

Nearly 60 students are reported to had talks and demonstrations from industry representatives in hospitality, tourism, hair and beauty, education and health.

The conference was reported to continue today, taking trades as its main focus.

NMIT Chief Executive, Tony Gray posted that when students at school often lie into a difficult situation to discern what advantages further study could pose for them.

A recent Statistics New Zealand report uncovered that students who left education with a bachelor degree were witnessed to earn 51 per cent more than those who gained a certificate at level one to 3.