For these First Nations students moving into the final years of high school, getting a taste of university is proving a confidence-booster and door-opener, and focusing their pursuit on the pathway to dream careers.

La Trobe University and Indigenous education organisation Clontarf Foundation have expanded their initiative taking school students from regional areas to Melbourne campuses.

While there, the students are able to get some insight into study areas already on their radar, as well as practical work experience.

Ricky Fry, 15, from Swan Hill in Victoria's northwest, and David Leslie, 16, from Bairnsdale in East Gippsland, headed to Melbourne as part of it.

Ricky and David are part of their Clontarf academies at home, and more than scratched the surface on career ideas they have ahead of VCE studies.

"Going to university has always been part of my future plans, so the visit to La Trobe was really helpful. It showed me there are more options available than the one pathway I'd originally been considering," Ricky said.

"I've been interested in studying palaeontology for a while but the visit opened the doors to archaeology. I'd be very interested in pursuing this as a career."

Ricky recently took a two-day visit to La Trobe's Bundoora Campus and their archaeology department.

It wasn't his first time at the university, but was a first look at the field he's been interested in for a while now.

On day one he visited a dig site.

Now Ricky's looking at aligning his VCE subjects with plans to pursue archaeology.

For Dwayne Weetra, Ricky's opportunity wasn't just work experience, but life experience as well.

Mr Weetra is the Swan Hill Academy's Director, based at Swan Hill College.

He said Ricky came back to school more confident, and with a clearer idea of what he wants to do after school.

"University has always been part of his plan, but he had a single pathway in mind. This visit opened his eyes to other opportunities and career options," Mr Weetra said.

"For the young Indigenous men we work with, the chance to spend time away from home and experience university life, even for a short period, is important.

"They get to interact with lecturers and students, see the support services available and gain a better understanding of what university is really like," Mr Weetra said, with the trips like those Ricky took also coming with individual life responsibilities, like making breakfasts and lunch.

David, one of seven siblings, has a people-focused career plan ahead.

"The subjects I'm doing at the moment are physics and maths. I'm interested in studying nursing in the future as I want to help people. I have a lot of brothers and sisters, so I want to help them out," he said.

"The experience at La Trobe was pretty cool. It was really outside of my comfort zone, but I really enjoyed seeing the mannequins and classrooms.

"I learned how to put a needle in an arm, which was pretty weird.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity."

Paul Carroll, Bairnsdale Clontarf Academy director, said David took on a massive opportunity with the work experience.

"For a young Indigenous boy living in foster care, just stepping outside his comfort zone and travelling to Melbourne was a win in itself and a big moment in his personal Development," Mr Carroll said.

"It's a great week and one that must stay in our calendar because we see the benefit it has on the kids."

Bairnsdale's Academy has around 100 members spread across year levels.

In addition to campus tours, the La Trobe and Clontarf initiative facilitates time spent with academics, facility visits and view into the university experience.