There comes a point in each person's life when they have to dig deep inside and decide which career path to follow. Base your career decisions on personal values, what you enjoy doing and what you are good at.
1. Ask yourself: What interests me? What do I excel in? What do I like to do? What really matters to me?
2. Take any career interest quizzes that your school offers. They will reveal your strengths and weaknesses and will be a great starting point towards determining the correct path for you.
3. Consider that sometimes the activities that you excel at may not be viable options for a career. Choose a few secondary options and keep these alternatives in mind in case things do not go according to plan.
4. Research the career fields that interest you to ensure that you know what to expect, what would be expected of you, as well as the education credentials you will need. View a list of occupations to discover more details about potential careers.
5. Try it! Spend a day with someone working in your field of interest. It could help you choose your future profession.
6. Research the schools that offer programs related to your fields of interest to understand the benefits of attending one school or another.
7. Aim for a first job that will offer you experience, not just a high salary. When starting your career it is important to be in a position where you can grow within your field.
8. Many professions have associations that can provide information on schools offering programs in their field, scholarships and bursaries, and internships to help you get work experience.
9. Be aware that some education programs and institutions require that you have specific prerequisites before being admitted.
10. Be willing to change and adapt! Things may not always go according to plan and your perspectives may change once you have started your career.
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Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)
Lathers handle, erect and install materials that are components in the construction of all or part of a structure. They lay out and install framework for ceiling systems, interior and exterior walls, floors and roofs. Lathers install various types of ceilings (e.g. suspended, spanned, direct contact), shielded walls (e.g. fire,... More >
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Youth employment programs and services
The Career Focus program provides funding for employers to offer post-secondary graduates opportunities to obtain career-related work experience. The objective of this program is to help youth acquire advanced employment skills and facilitate their transition to a rapidly changing labour market. This program connects youth with employers who can provide... More >
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What Social Workers Do
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Carpenter
A carpenter is a tradesperson who possesses the full range of knowledge and abilities required to construct, renovate and repair institutional, commercial, industrial (I.C.I.) and residential structures made of wood, steel, concrete and other materials. They can work for a wide array of employers, including construction firms, building owners and... More >
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Recreation Vehicle Service Technician
Recreation vehicle (RV) service technicians work on systems and components of recreation vehicles, including electrical components, plumbing, propane gas components, appliances, exterior and interior components, structural frames and towing systems. They diagnose, repair, replace, install, adjust, test, maintain and modify these components and systems. They may also perform maintenance and... More >
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Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
A heavy duty equipment technician is a tradesperson who possesses the full range of knowledge, abilities and skills required to diagnose, repair, adjust, overhaul, maintain, operate and test mobile heavy duty off-road equipment. Heavy duty equipment technicians are employed by companies that own and operate heavy equipment, heavy equipment dealerships,... More >
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Instrumentation and Control Technician
Instrumentation and control technicians work on measuring and controlling instrumentation. They also service plant process control, monitoring, safety and communications systems. They are knowledgeable in overall plant systems and interactions of processes. Some of the duties of instrumentation and control technicians are: 1. Consulting diagrams and technical documentation such as... More >
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National Health Sciences Students' Association
The National Health Sciences Students' Association (NaHSSA) was established in 2005, and it is the first national interprofessional student association in the world. NaHSSA is a network of local university and college-based chapters that promote interprofessional education and practice within Canada. It enables students to advocate for and learn from... More >