Author: Isha
At times, high school can feel like a scary rollercoaster ride. A repetitive, yet crucial question which surfaces in this phase is: what are your plans after high school? This is a heavy question to tackle, especially when you feel pressured to have a definite answer.
The good news is that there are many options and it is OKAY to change your mind. In fact, based on an American study it was found that 80% of students change their major at least once. In this post, I will share some career path options in hopes to help you answer this question.
University:
The most common educational path is the four-year university undergraduate degree, which can open up doors to a large multitude of paths in different disciplines. An undergrad degree can be a versatile stepping stone into other graduate school programs, such as a master’s degree, law school, or medical school. With this, many institutions help you customize your experience by choosing a minor, taking part in co-op work experience programs, or participating in international exchanges.
Trades and Apprenticeships:
Trades and apprenticeships are an undermined option, but these programs efficiently direct you in a path which leads into specific jobs. Institutions like SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) or NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) can help you get hands-on experience before hitting the workforce. There is a large range of fields of interests covered by institutes from carpentry and electrical works to management, and engineering. SAIT and other organizations also provide high school upgrading opportunities in order to better your grades before you apply for post-secondary education.
Gap Year:
It is important to understand that a gap-year is a long period of time which is too precious to waste. Thus, if you choose to take a gap year, it is a good idea to map out how your time will be utilized to your benefit. The common route people take is to work in order to save money, gain independence, and help to pay for future post-secondary. Volunteering and community service are great ways to enhance your experiences with the real world and build up your resume. Taking part in an international gap year program is a useful way to travel, volunteer or complete an internship. The activities included in each program are dependent on the travel destination and purpose of the sponsor, so there is a lot to choose from!
I hope that this post gave you a better insight into the options available to you. If you are still unsure, I advise you to follow Bob Goff’s quote: “Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.”
