1) How do I become a __________?
TIP: Consider contacting someone from the profession that interests you. They can give you the best information. For details on how to approach professionals in your community, check out the nextSteps.org Career Planning Section on informational interviewing
Browse through some career possibilities here - www.nextsteps.org/finder/profiles.html
And here: jobfutures.ca
For regional labour market information - jobfutures.ca/en/provincial.shtml
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2) How much money does a(n)__________ earn?
Salaries depend on a lot of factors, including: experience, amount of education, job performance and the cost of living in your area.
SEE: "How do I become a __________?" for links to salary information for various occupations in different parts of the country.
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3) Where do I go to school to become a __________?
A good site for checking out your options (if you know what you want to study) is - schoolfinder.com
ALSO SEE: "how do I become a __________?"
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4) Where can I take a career test?
Remember, career tests can't tell you exactly which career best suits you. They can only offer suggestions for you to investigate.
If you are trying to decide on a career path, check out this page - www.nextsteps.org/career/options.html
If you aren't sure what your options might be, try out these career tools - www.nextsteps.org/career
ALSO SEE: "Where can I find a career counsellor to help me?"
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5) What careers suit my major?
To get some ideas about careers for specific majors, try out these sites -
jobfutures.ca/fos/browse-programs-alphabet.shtml
www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/career/Majors/
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6) What are my chances of getting a job as a __________?
Are there many of jobs in __________?
What are the employment prospects for__________?
Nobody really knows what the future holds for any one occupation. Choosing a career path or education program will always be a bit of a gamble but you can increase your chance of choosing wisely with well researched information.
Keep in mind that even the best researched information doesn't remain accurate in the quickly changing world of work. Always check other sources like newspapers/magazines, employers, unions, industry representatives and other sources to see if they are saying the same things.
Check out - jobfutures.ca/noc/browse-occupations-work-prospects.shtml
ALSO SEE: "how do I become a __________?"
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7) I don't know where to begin...
Choosing a career that's right for you isn't difficult. But it does take time
and some diligent research into what's out there.
Begin your search here - www.nextsteps.org/career
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8) I need help choosing a college program or university major.
Obtaining an education isn't getting any cheaper. By researching career options now, you'll gain confidence that the education and training you receive will be worth the effort and money you have invested.
To start you on your way, try here - www.nextsteps.org/career
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9) I'm changing careers... what should I do?
Carefully research your options, you have the advantage of your past experience to guide you in making a new career choice.
Make some notes for yourself. What have you enjoyed about your work so far and what have you disliked?
Ask yourself what you would want the same or different when considering coworkers, work environment, leadership responsibilities and business practice.
Take some time to consider your motivation for moving on. Is it the work you are unhappy with or the circumstances? Is it the type of people you work with or the corporate structure? If you are not leaving by choice, were there personality or other types of conflicts?
When considering a career change, it is also important to re-examine your interests, goals, skills and values. Some exercises to help you in this can be found here - www.nextsteps.org/career
ALSO SEE: "how do I become a __________?"
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10) What do I have to take in high school to become a __________?
What you decide to do today may not be what you would like to do later in life.
Having said that, by considering courses that are commonly required for university/college entrance you may increase your options down the road.
Typically, what a university/college looks for is a strong combined average in these areas:
- Grade 12 level Math
- Grade 12 level English
- Grade 12 level Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
- Grade 12 level Science or Second Language
- Grade 12 level Option
IMPORTANT!: In each province, the names of these courses are a little different, and for each college/university the requirements are a little different so it's important to double check your selections with your high school guidance staff and the college/university that you wish to attend!
Finally, recognize that while the above list will help qualify you for study in a variety of post-secondary subjects, it will not be sufficient if your interests lie in a specialized field (medical or scientific for example). Some will require two math or science courses as prerequisites.
There is no easy answer to this question. Do your research!
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11) Where can I find a career counsellor to help me?
If you are in Calgary - www.nextsteps.org/yec/about.html
If you are in Alberta - http://www3.gov.ab.ca/hre/youthconnections/ycoffices/index.asp
Elsewhere - Finding free career services can take a little detective work, but chances are there is someone to help you or at least point you in the right direction. Here's a good way to find services in your area:
- Consult the phone book under "Employment" some free services will advertise there.
- Check with your local Boy's and Girl's Clubs, YWCA, YMCA
- Visit your city government web page. If you use google or yahoo try the following search terms: [name of your town] government
- Visit your provincial government web page.
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12) How do I become a famous (rock star, actor, model, producer, film director, etc)?
This will sound completely cliché but... you should do these things because you love them, not because they'll make you famous. You might become rich and famous and you might not.
Many people choose these occupations with hopes of being the next "big name" but most who pursue the arts won't get rich doing it.
However, you should never give these things up! If you enjoy playing music... play music; or make films, or act or write. Practice your art for the joy it brings you.
Instead of thinking "how do I get rich doing this"? Ask, "how do I support myself while I do the thing that I love"?
Consider a "back up plan" it may look something like this:
My plan A: Become a famous and internally adored actor" (or director, producer, etc)
My plan B: Be a really good carpenter while I pursue my acting career"
So go, be entertaining. Oh yeah, and read - "how do I become a __________?"
ALSO SEE: "So you want to be a Crime Scene Investigator, an Actor or Recording Engineer"
ALSO SEE: "The reality of acting"
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13) How do I get into the trades?
For most provinces there are two routes into trades:
- Get hired by an employer willing to train. This sounds more difficult than it actually is. Try some of our job search techniques - www.nextsteps.org/jobsearch
- Enrol in a "pre-employment" program that gives you your first year's training. This route is a more expensive way to get into the trades, but sometimes is quicker than trying to find an employer willing to train.
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca is a good resource for information about apprenticeships and industry training in Alberta.
You might want to look into the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) a way for registered high school students to become apprentices, and earn credits toward an apprenticeship program and a high school diploma at the same time.
ALSO SEE: "how do I become a __________?"
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14) What are the requirements to get into university? Are my grades good enough?
Each college/university has different standards about what they consider the "minimum" to enrol. This minimum can change from year to year.
The best way to know what a college/university's standards are is to get their current calendar for the semester that you wish to attend. Many colleges/universities have "Prospective Students Offices" where you can call and request a calendar and get more information.
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15) What are the highest paying careers?
The wealthiest people in Canada tend to be entrepreneurs. They are people who have started their own companies and through good management and hard work have become very successful.
You probably already know that starting your own business is not a guarantee that you will be wealthy, but it gives you an opportunity to grow.
Entertainers, athletes, some medical professions and Chief Executive Officers might also be called entrepreneurs.
For more information about starting your own business check here - www.cbsc.org/alberta/main.cfm
Starting a business isn't for everyone. If taking big chances for big rewards isn't your style, and salary is a more attractive option, these are some of the highest paying jobs in Canada (where you work for someone else):
Source: Statistics Canada (2000)
in no particular order...
- Specialist Physicians (in a hospital)
- General Practice Doctors
- Judges
- Managers in Finance and Business Services
- Managers in Utilities, Transportation and Production
- Managers in Broadcasting
- Engineers
- Lawyers
- Dentists
Please see "how do I become a __________?" for details.
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16) What is the best school for __________?
Does this school have a good course in __________?
Canada doesn't really rank their schools as other countries might. There isn't (in our humble opinion...) a Canadian equivalent of "Ivy League" schools. There is a ranking system in Maclean's magazine each year. Does this mean that if you pick the best school on the list you are guaranteed a job? Nope. The 'best' school according to Maclean's may not be the best school according to employers. When you choose the 'best' school you want to choose it because employers like it.
The only way to find out what employers in your area are looking for is to ask them. It isn't difficult, and you'll get the best information out there, from the people who will be handing you a paycheque.
For tips on questioning employers go here - www.nextsteps.org/career/infoint.html
It's also important to consider the city where you hope to work. Employers in any
particular city will likely have opinions of the college/university programs in their province. Sometimes they prefer hiring grads from out of province schools. Either way, knowing which grads are being hired in which cities will prove a valuable guide when considering your education options.
If you must know what Maclean's thinks, you can find it here - www.macleans.ca/universities/index.jsp
Maclean's system for ranking universities is largely based on the student experience of that school. Reputation with employers plays only a small role.
Here's some more useful information on choosing a school - www.nextsteps.org/educate
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17) How do I find a career that I'll really enjoy my whole life?
Imagine that you are asked to pick one kind of food, your favourite. Now imagine that once you choose, that's all you will ever be allowed to eat. Unless you really love that food, chances are you wouldn't be very happy.
The truth is that very few of us enjoy one career for the rest of our lives. Sooner or later we crave change. Because our jobs take up a large part of our time, it is likely that they will become a target for that change.
Now that you know the truth, you may want to plan more than one career. Consider things that you would like to do early in your career, and things you might prefer to do later in life.
For more details about making career plans check out - www.nextsteps.org/career
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18) How do I start my own business?
Starting your own business isn't difficult, but it takes some time to do the research and planning that leads to success. You will likely be employed with someone else while planning your business.
Here are a few questions you'll need to answer:
- What is your product or service? This is often the most difficult task, figuring out what your business will do.
- What will your business expenses be? How much will it cost to make your product or provide your service? will you need an office or shop? How about equipment, supplies, advertising and staff?
- What would you have to charge to make a profit considering the costs?
- What competitors are in this field already? What do they charge? How do they deliver their product or service?
- If there are competitors, how can you compete with them? Better prices? More service? Better location? Something else?
These aren't easy questions to answer, and nobody learns this stuff over-night.
There's a great site designed to connect you with resources for finding start-up money and getting the information that you need. Check out - www.cbsc.org/alberta/
ALSO SEE:
www.nextsteps.org/jobs/smallbus.htm
Self-Employment - Information Sources
Self Employment - Funding Sources
Entrepreneur Stories:
Entrepreneurs
Considering Self-Employment
Aboriginal Youth Info+net - Self Employment
Entrepreneur offers advice for restaurateurs
Entrepreneur wanted more control over his life
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19) Is __________ a good career choice?
No one really knows what the future holds for any occupation or industry. Each career choice is to some degree a "gamble." But, if you carefully research your prospective path, you can determine whether or not your potential career is a "good risk" or a "bad risk." There are many sources of information out there to help you.
Here's a list of some of the places to check - www.nextsteps.org/career/options.html
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20) What should I do with my life?
Do what interests you. Sure, you are worried that you might not make a living at what you choose. It's a risk, but if you try things that interest you and it doesn't work out, you can always go do something else.
You want to be able to look back on your life and say: "I tried some things I was inspired to do. Some things panned out and some didn't." It's a cheesy old saying, but it's true: "If you never try, you'll never know."
Plan more than one career option, you can switch if your first option doesn't work out as you hope.
For details about planning your career - www.nextsteps.org/career
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21) I can't decide which career to choose, help!
Don't choose. Try to do everything that interests you. If you can't find a job
in one area of interest, get a job in another. If you have enough options, you can always pursue something new.
Look at your current list of choices and ask yourself:
- Which of these potential careers might I be better suited to at my current age?
- Which would suit me better as an older, more experienced person?
- Which of these do I really feel like I would want to do everyday as a job?
- Which of these would I prefer to do on my own time, when the mood strikes me?
The things that you would like to do at your current age and that you wouldn't mind doing every day are your strongest candidates.
Check out this information about deciding on a career - www.nextsteps.org/career/decision.html
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22) Where can I get training to be a __________?
SEE: "How do I become a __________?"
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