The #1 High School and University Resource for Alberta Students
Choosing a Career

There comes a point in each person's life when they have to dig deep inside and decide which career path to follow. Base your career decisions on personal values, what you enjoy doing and what you are good at.

1. Ask yourself: What interests me? What do I excel in? What do I like to do? What really matters to me?

2. Take any career interest quizzes that your school offers. They will reveal your strengths and weaknesses and will be a great starting point towards determining the correct path for you.

3. Consider that sometimes the activities that you excel at may not be viable options for a career. Choose a few secondary options and keep these alternatives in mind in case things do not go according to plan.

4. Research the career fields that interest you to ensure that you know what to expect, what would be expected of you, as well as the education credentials you will need. View a list of occupations to discover more details about potential careers.

5. Try it! Spend a day with someone working in your field of interest. It could help you choose your future profession.

6. Research the schools that offer programs related to your fields of interest to understand the benefits of attending one school or another.

7. Aim for a first job that will offer you experience, not just a high salary. When starting your career it is important to be in a position where you can grow within your field.

8. Many professions have associations that can provide information on schools offering programs in their field, scholarships and bursaries, and internships to help you get work experience.

9. Be aware that some education programs and institutions require that you have specific prerequisites before being admitted.

10. Be willing to change and adapt! Things may not always go according to plan and your perspectives may change once you have started your career.

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