Don’t you just love it when people ask you what you want to do with your life? Maybe you’re thinking, “Hold up. I haven’t even finished high school yet!”
Maybe you already have a crystal-clear picture of your preferred career path in mind - in say, law, medicine, music or game design. But for lots of teenagers, that’s not the case. Many of your peers (and maybe even you?) are still trying to figure out what their dream job is and what they’re hoping their future will hold. And with the rate industry develops at these days, who knows? Your future career might be wrapped up in a business yet to be built or a job title yet to be imagined.
On the lookout for an inspiring, fulfilling career path…but not sure yet what that means for you? Earn a degree – which, by the way, is way more than a piece of paper according to Dana Montgomery, senior recruitment coordinator at ³Ô¹ÏÍø.
“Getting that university experience and seeing the bigger picture is so valuable, no matter what you choose to do,” she explains. “It’s about the people you meet, learning how to manage your time, getting involved in things you’re passionate about – and developing transferable skills.”
For instance, if you’ve always wanted to launch your own business, university can help you learn how to approach experts you want to hire, network with peers, hone your communication skills and solve problems. “Those skills take you wherever you want to go,” says Montgomery. They make you career-ready.
If, on the other hand, you do already have your sights set on a specific dream gig but don’t know how to make it happen, try “researching backwards.” That means checking out job descriptions (try Indeed or LinkedIn) and looking for the related experience and skills required. Now consider, which degrees will equip you with those?
Just remember not to get too fixated on one specific job now. It’s great to have goals, but be open to change if you discover you love another subject more than your major, or stumble across a field you didn’t even know existed.
“Change can be scary, but in university there’s flexibility. There’s support here for the whole journey,” says Montgomery, who recommends checking in with an academic advisor early on. You can also head over to the Career Centre to get help with your resume, cover letter and even mock interviews. By the time you’ve graduated, you’ll have the skills and confidence to land that all-important first job.
Ultimately, it’s never too early to start thinking about how your experiences, interests and values might help you launch your career no matter which degree you choose, according to Frances Humphreys, associate director, career development and external relations at ³Ô¹ÏÍø.
“Your program choice does not define you. It’s the experiences in high school and university that will put you on the right path,” she says. “When you attain a ³Ô¹ÏÍø degree, the sky is the limit.”
You don’t need the whole answer yet – just start by asking yourself a few questions:
