Student Job Link's Resources

Whether they want to go to college, to a technical school, or simply work, they must decide sooner or later what they plan to do after high school. Many freshmen look at me with surprise when I mention paid work; others shrug their shoulders and let me know that they are already helping the family. In any case, it is never too early to think about it.

I Want To Play Football

When you are 14 years old, the last thing on your mind is choosing a career; yet, it is important to at least decide on a broad area, not necessarily a specific job. High schools usually offer what we call a vocational survey that helps students determine what their preferences are.

If you have not taken that survey already, ask your counselor for details; if you have and don’t remember the results, it pays to look at them again as a guide. Of course, some of you have decided a long time ago what you want to do in life. Perhaps you learned mechanics by working with your father or big brother. Or you have discovered an unusual talent for music at an early age. Whatever your case, talk to family members and your school counselor about your future; it pays to be prepared.

Do You Plan On Going To College?

When students are juniors in high school, they should begin their college search. Check it out! .

Yes, indeed, with only one year left of high school, it’s highly recommendable to start looking at possible universities. Many states in the U.S. offer a program called GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate).

It starts at the middle school level and continues up to the junior level in high school. Check to see if your school participates; it is a federally funded program to help more students go to college.

Valuable information regarding scholarships is available and they will even help you fill out the applications. But hurry, each school district can only register 300 students.

Another program called Upward Bound offers the following: “Upward Bound projects provide academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages. Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, and work-study programs also are supported.” Click Here .

The main objective of this program is to help low-income students prepare adequately for college. .....Or Do You Plan On Learning a Trade?

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) offers high school students the opportunity to learn a valuable trade through an apprenticeship program which begins while they are still in secondary education. On another front, the Canadian government recently issued the following information that should gladden any high school student hoping to go to college:

“Because of the changes our Government has introduced, the dream of post secondary education will be open to every Canadian regardless of their level of income," said the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Monte Solberg in a news release last week. Click Here .

Do Not Wait, Act Now!

In short, if you are a high school student, it is imperative for you to determine what professional area you are considering for after secondary education. Help is available as you have seen in this article, but it will not come to you unless you proactively search for it, both in the U.S. and Canada.