As a high school student, you may think that you have plenty of time to decide on your career path and to acquire the skills you need to market yourself successfully.

Some people believe that completing an academic program will guarantee them a job. This is not always true. What can you do to make yourself attractive to a future employer?

You need to start exploring your career interests and developing your job skills now! in today's competitive job market it is essential that you possess relevant skills and experiences that will set you apart from everyone else. Work-based learning experiences can help you focus your career interests and develop job skills.

Below are descriptions of typical activities and services your school may offer. They all provide opportunities in work settings. Check them out and take advantage of them!

Informational Interview

In informational interviews, you meet with people working in your fields of interest to ask questions about their particular occupations, qualification requirements, job duties, and companies. These interviews help you gain insights into your career interests from the people who do those jobs every day.

Job Shadowing

In a shadow, you visit a business to observe the everyday functions of an occupational area of interest to you. Experiences vary in time from one hour to a full day depending on the amount of time employers can provide as well as your interest and school requirements. Job shadowing experiences offer you opportunities for career exploration and provide you with a realistic view of the day-to-day activities of specific jobs.

Service Learning

Service learning programs offer opportunities to be concerned, informed, and productive by providing community service in non-paid, volunteer positions. These volunteer programs increase the relevancy of your academic learning as you apply knowledge and skills while making a contribution to your community.

Independent Study

Your school may allow you to earn academic credit for work experiences. In an independent study option you would work one-on-one with a teacher, or other educator, to develop your work project for credit. Work experience, coupled with written work, such as a journal or essay, is an excellent way to practice, demonstrate, and expand the skills you've learnt in school.

Internship

An internship is an intensive learning experience that is not part of a regular class. You work in a supervised learning situation with an employer doing planned learning activities. An internship can give you a broad overview of an occupational field, while providing you with opportunities to experience work responsibilities and develop work skills. Some internships are paid; some are not paid.

Why should I Participate in a Work Experience Program?

Work-based learning experiences, such as job shadows and internships, offer you opportunities to practice skills and to network with potential employers. They give you a chance to determine if you can perform the essential functions of particular jobs. You develop self-advocacy skills through work-based learning. It is a great way to get off to a running start on your career path!

Who are Members of My Team for Success?

As a young adult, finding work-based learning experiences on your own can be challenging. The process of locating work-based learning opportunities and jobs, filling out applications and forms, and speaking with employers may be foreign to you. Reach out and ask for support from those who care about your success.

Below are some specific steps you can take with potential members of your team for success — your school, your family, community resources, and mentors.

Your school

Visit your career centre, counselling/advising office to find work based learning opportunities.

Participate in available orientations, workshops, and individual counselling sessions to improve your job-search skills.

Discuss the types of work setting accommodations you may need with coordinators and your guidance counsellors; also, ask them for suggestions.

If you have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), make sure mainstream work-based learning and career preparation activities are included; talk with your Teacher/Counsellor about activities that interest you.

Your Family

Talk to your family members about the world of work. Those who have worked many years may be your best resources!

Contact your school counsellor.

Learn to advocate in your Education Development. Ask a parent or supporter to help identify a strategy.

Start networking. Begin with people you know (family member, employers, co-workers, co-workers, friends, neighbours, etc.). Talk to these people about work experiences you are seeking. They may know of new leads or help expand your network further.

Mentors

Seek out someone you admire to be your mentor. Someone who is in college or pursuing a career is a good choice. Mentors can share valuable experiences, insights, and resources with you. They can also provide encouragement and support as you make decisions related to your career preparation.