As you approach the final year of high school, the question “what do you want to do after graduating?” starts to sound a little more serious. It is indeed intimidating to decide what your life will be like for the future, especially given the speed of technological advancement. It is natural to not have a clear vision of your personal as well as professional life for the future but it is important to take steps, make an informed decision and shape the future one step at a time. Here are a few ways to help you determine your path:
Discovering your likes and dislikes, as well as your strengths and weaknesses is a great starting point, as it narrows down your options and gets you closer to choosing an education and ultimately a career path that is aligned with your personality, interests and abilities. It is important to be honest with yourself and also consider the feasibility of options. For example, you might want to become an actor or you might like to become an astronaut. Some of these career options are not pursuable in Canada as the industry for them either does not exist or is very small and hard to enter. Some career pathways might require you to relocate, some educational programs have very expensive tuition fees, etc.
Having someone to show you or help you understand the pathway can also help you in making a more informed decision. Seeking the advice of well-established professionals within the industry, reading about the journey of the industry pioneers, volunteering or finding an internship position within the industry of choice can help you form a more realistic understanding of what it takes to get where you want to be.
These small steps can save you valuable time and money. It is best to take the time to figure out what it is that you really want to do rather than attend a college or university program, only to find out that this was not the right decision for you. So take your time, research, collect reliable information from good resources and make an informed decision. Most importantly, don’t be afraid of making mistakes. We all do.
If you need help taking the next step in your education path, BrightMinds Online School is there to help. Take a look at our various college/university Grade 12 prep courses, and don’t forget to check our winter semester dates!