It’s Time to Experiment with Career Ideas
What are the career ideas your student is considering?
Tip: Brainstorm ways for your student to try it out before you make a large investment in it.
For example, if your student is interested in healthcare here are some ideas they can experiment with:
Work: Pharmacy Assistant –become familiar with confidentiality, increase knowledge of different medical conditions and symptoms, understand if you like working with people
Volunteer: Nursing Homes – observe the physical and mental effects of a disease, lack of mobility, dietary limitations, make a friend and learn from seniors with interesting lived experiences
Extra-curricular: Relay for Life Organizer – demonstrate your interest and commitment to understanding diseases, develop an awareness of the fundraising efforts required for research improvements, be a part of something that is contributing to the greater good of society
School: Take Applied or Academic courses in Chemistry and Biology
Start Looking Into the Costs
University or college costs a lot of money. We all know this but once you really start looking into how much you will be spending, you will be surprised at how expensive everything has gotten. I’m going to start easy, and share the application fees to make it less overwhelming.
University: $150 for 3 program choices, $50 for each additional choice
College: $95 for up to 5 program choices
Average Annual Cost of University: $20,000+
If you haven’t already, it’s time to start diving deep into the costs.
Tip: Check out the free OSAP calculator
https://osap.gov.on.ca/AidEstimator1920Web/enterapp/enter.xhtml
Plan Campus Visits
One of the experiences students find most helpful in making career decisions is actually visiting the campus. Seeing the classrooms, residences, and talking with current students and faculty members is so useful. These visits transform the ideas students have running around in their minds about what it will be like into what it actually is.
Tip: Look into open house dates now. Many happen in October/November and some are held on the same day. Scheduling can be tricky, especially if students have part-time jobs.
Your Opinion Matters to Them
The #1 influence on student career decision making is their parents. This may surprise you but it’s true. If this overwhelms you, keep in mind I can help!
Tip: Start the discussion about their future by simply sharing your career path from high school until now. Sprinkle in any lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Every career path has its ups and downs, share yours so your student understands they don’t have to be perfect.
Stretch the Comfort Zone
High school is hard. It can be scary for students to put themselves out there and try something new. Many have a lot of negative thoughts swirling around in their heads.
What if…
I fail. I get laughed at. people make fun of me.
“I’m not even going to try; I’m staying in the comfort zone. I can act like everyone else and play it safe.”
But
What if…
I succeed. I make new friends. I have fun.
“I’m going to go for it. I’m stretching my comfort zone. I’m excited to embrace the unknown and explore new things.”
These are examples of 2 very different scenarios. Who does your student want to be? University and college will be filled with new experiences. Start exposing your student to new things now.
Tip: What’s one new experience your student can make this school year to stretch their comfort zone?
