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Figuring out what I want to do

Even though graduating high school can be an exciting period in your life, there are certain aspects of it, such as, “what am I going to do?” that can be really overwhelming. Thankfully, there are great tools available to you as you continue your journey towards your perfect job.

Have you ever heard of the term Career Planning?  You may have already done some career planning with your school’s guidance counsellor and not know about it. Career planning is the simple process of looking into what your goals and interests are. This process will eventually help you clarify the road you need to take to make sure you are happy with the end results.

How about we help you through this planning process? Let’s start by taking a few short surveys about who you are to find some jobs that may be suited for you.

Explore career possibilities

The following quizzes will help you find out more about what you like, what are your skills and how you work with people, data and things in general. You can take one or all of the quizzes if you want. Once a quiz is completed, you will have access to information about several jobs that would be well suited for you.

Know your interests This quick 10-minute survey will provide you with a bank of potential jobs you may want to explore based on your interest.

Discover your skills This quick 10-minute survey will help you see what jobs may require someone with your skills.

Explore how you work with things Take this quick 5-minute survey to see what job may be best suited for you.

Explore Your Personality

The following quizzes help to promote self-awareness and assess how you think and learn.

Explore your intellect Take this 10-minute survey to explore your type of intelligence.

Explore your learning styles Take this 5-minute survey to determine your learning style. Each one of us has a different learning style. It is important to know how you learn in a work environment.

Explore your values Take this 10-minute survey to reflect on your work values.

Did you know that the Government of Canada’s Job Bank offers a variety of career planning tools to help you determine the kinds of career options that might work well for you? You can explore different fields of study and job profiles, as well as take a few career quizzes and match your skills and knowledge to career options you might enjoy.

To learn more about different fields of study and find out that might be right for you, visit: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/career-planning/search-field-of-study

To explore job profiles and get a better idea of what your dream job (or jobs!) might involve, visit: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/career-planning/search-job-profile

• You can take career quizzes to help you determine your: interests, abilities, and work activities.
• You can take personality tests to help you discover your unique style of thinking and understanding, you learning style, and your work values.

To explore jobs or career options according to your skills and knowledge, complete the skills and knowledge checklist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWkkcjGj5WM&list=PLrA7L-m43CeqgQiSkLuN-BMgMNt64BVFf&index=9

What are my options after high school?

There are several directions offered to you. Depending on your preferred choice, there are a few things you may want to consider such as how much time you would like to spend on a specific program of study or what the educational requirements for your dream job are.

Once you graduate, there are four main pathways you may want to explore. Each one offers you the skills and knowledge you need to become successful in your desired field of employment.

1. Vocational Studies
2. College Education
3. University Education
4. Workplace

Vocational Studies

A diploma within your reach – Vocational and technical training – YouTube

Vocational studies and technical studies are typically designed to give you a hands-on learning experience while allowing you to acquire the skillsets and knowledge needed to perform a specific trade or occupation. Depending on the program you choose, you may have to dedicate anywhere between 600 and 1800 hours towards earning your Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) or Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP).

Once you have obtained your Diploma of Vocational Studies, you could also further your training to become even more specialised and obtain an Attestation of Vocational Specialty (AVS) or Attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP).

Once you have obtained your DVS and your ASP, there may even be an option for you to receive a short training to gain additional expertise. This would give you the opportunity to obtain a Skill Training Certificate (STC) or Attestation de formation professionnelle (AEP).

Would you like to get more information on the different trades, occupations or programs offered in a vocational education?
Visit https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/vocational-training
Watch this video A diploma within your reach – Vocational and technical training – YouTube

College Education

Interested in pursuing or exploring programs at a college level? Here in Quebec, a college is called Collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP). While exploring your options at this level, you will find a wide variety of programs you may be interested in. Depending on what your inspirations are, you may be interested in a technical program or a pre-university program.

1. Diploma of College Studies (DCS) or Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC)
   This is a 2-year program and is often needed as a pre-requisite to enter a university program (unless you apply as a mature student). For more information on pre-university programs, we invite you to visit: http://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/contenus-communs/enseignement-superieur/college-education/pre-university-programs/
2. Attestation of College Studies (ACS) or Attestation d’études collégiales (AEC)
   This is a 3-year program.  For more information on the technical programs offered at a college level, we invite you to visit: http://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/contenus-communs/enseignement-superieur/college-education/technical-programs/

University Education

You aspire to pursue a university education? Universities have a wealth of programing that can be tailored to your needs and desires. Universities are well known to offer distinct levels of degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate. While these are the main levels of education, some universities can also offer certificates to further your training in a specialized field.

1. Undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s)
   An undergraduate program gives you a bachelor’s degree. While some programs can be completed within 3 years, others may take you up to 4 years to complete. A Bachelor’s degree will provide a particular level of training and experience in a specific field of study while integrating two complementary fields of knowledge: a minor and a major subject.
2. Master’s Degree
   Should you wish to further your expertise within a specific field of study you would most likely    wish to pursue a master’s degree. This 2-year program offers guidance and support while completing a research thesis in a specific field of study.
3. Doctorate
   A doctorate, also commonly referred to as a PhD, is one of the highest levels of education you can obtain. Once you have completed a 4-year doctoral program, you will become highly specialized in a specific field of studies.

Workplace

As you explore your interests, aspirations, and desires, you may feel that pursuing post-secondary studies is not the preferred option for you at this time. Many employers offer on-the-job training so you can pursue new opportunities.

Want to learn more about current employment opportunities? Please visit: https://townshippers.org/employer-database-for-people-with-english-language-skills/.

Want more advice about how to find your career path?

Take a look at this About Townshippers episode with Judith Olson from the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi du Haut-Saint-François: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWkkcjGj5WM&list=PLrA7L-m43CeqgQiSkLuN-BMgMNt64BVFf&index=9.

You can also visit a Carrefour jeunesse-emploi near you to benefit from their many services available to youth 16-35.

Need help finding your local Carrefour jeunesse-emploi? Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll help to connect you!

Considering a career in health and social services?

Did you know that the health and social services sector offers hundreds of interesting careers that allow you to make a living while helping others? Check out our Health & Social Services Career Opportunities catalogue to explore the many options available in the region and see if any of them fit with your interests and skills!

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How will I pay for my studies?

One of the most stressful parts of post-secondary education is figuring out how to pay your tuition fees – after all, going to school, putting in the work to succeed in your classes, and getting the most out of your educational experience can often make it difficult to hold down a job. But without money, post-secondary studies are just not possible. So, what can you do? We’ve pulled together a bunch of resources to help you discover opportunities to get money for your studies, so you can worry more about doing your best and less about paying your bills.

Your best resource:

The Bursary and Scholarship Directory for Students in the Eastern Townships

Applying for bursaries and scholarships can feel like an intimidating process. The Bursary and Scholarship Directory for Students in the Eastern Townships was created to help English-speaking high school graduates and post-secondary students find awards that will assist with the costs of their post-secondary education.

We encourage you to use this detailed guide to help you navigate the process of finding and applying for some of the many awards that are available to you through local schools, foundations, businesses, and beyond.

Download Bursary and Scholarship Directory for Students in the Eastern Townships

Other interesting resources to help you access financial support for your education:

Government of Canada – Canada Student Grants and Loans: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/grants-loans.html

Government of Canada – Scholarships: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/student-aid/scholarships.html

Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programs: https://www.youth.service.canada.ca/en/programs

Gouvernement du Québec’s Assessment Simulator: https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/student-financial-assistance/loans-bursaries-full-time-studies/assessment/assessment-simulator

Need help finding your way through these pages? Send us an email!

Wehaveyourback@townshippers.org

Other opportunities through Townshippers’ Association:

Excel in the Estrie Contest

Since 2012, the Excel in the Estrie! Essay challenge has celebrated the success of high school seniors and helped them to think proactively about their future in the Townships. We want to hear your stories about overcoming obstacles on your path to graduation and how you see yourself, in the future, living and working in the region. Enter today and share your story – you could win $500 to help you with your studies!

Link to Excel in the Estrie page: https://townshippers.org/essay-contest/

Link to Excel in the Estrie video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMUFue_MvI4

Dialogue McGill Health and Social Services Community Leadership Bursaries

Through the Dialogue McGill Health and Social Services Community Leadership Bursary Program, Townshippers’ Association distributes bursaries of up to $10,000 per year to selected bilingual students from the Townships who are studying full-time in the fields of health and social services.

To learn more about the categories and eligibility criteria for these bursaries, visit the Dialogue McGill page on our website: https://townshippers.org/mcgill-bursary-program.

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