Organisers believe now is the time to be thinking seriously about career options, with unemployment in New Zealand reaching a seven-year high of 4.7%.
However, the festival's focus is not doom and gloom.
Many of the events and services on offer are concerned with assisting individuals design a successful career path, return to the workforce or start their own business.
It has taken an "any age, any stage" approach with events on offer for people in work, secondary school pupils, school leavers, job seekers, employers, those returning to the workforce and migrants, festival co-ordinator Victoria Bunton said.
"We are really pleased that the events that are part of the festival will be focused on the whole community."
More than 65 seminars, talks, exhibitions, courses and expos are scheduled throughout Otago in May.
For more information about the festival, including a full list of events, visit www.otagocareersfestival.co.nzellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
