What to do after high school: More than one pathway
The nearing end of high school can be scary — what now? As a grade 12 student preparing to graduate this June, I have the same question. After years and years of putting in our time and energy into academics — what are we supposed to do now that we’re done? Of course, there is the heavily popular option of attending university or college…But that choice isn’t for everyone, and not all occupations need a university/college degree.
During the summer of 2020, I took a Careers summer course online. Here, for the first time in my academic career, I learned of 5 different post-secondary pathways that are open to everyone! These options include, but are not limited to University, College, Apprenticeship, Military, or a Gap year.
University
Probably one of the most pushed-for options of them all, a university, by definition is, “an educational institute designed for instruction, examination, or both, of students in many branches of advanced learning…” Of course, if you are looking to pursue a career that requires university education — such as going to medical or law school; a career in some engineering fields, a registered nurse etc. or is looking to receive a bachelor’s degree, master’s, and/or doctoral degrees in programs such as medicine, public health, psychology, business, law, engineering, humanities, sciences etc., university may likely be your best option.
The style of learning at universities can vary, but the general structure usually consists of a research-based approach with very large classes — decreasing the amount of attention students get from their professors. The cost can also be higher compared to that of colleges, with an average fee between $10,000-$80,0000 CAD/year. The freedom of subject choices is also limited, as university programs will acquire you to learn about all the different subjects in that given field which can typically take around 3–5 years (for a bachelor’s). So, if you’re interested in learning about most of what there is to know in your program of choice, are able to succeed in a large classroom environment, and are comfortable studying for 2–5 years for a bachelor’s degree, then university just might be the choice for you!
College
A similar option would be a Canadian college, often described as an education system that offers “technical training” and diplomas to its students. Colleges are often characterized by their fewer years of studying in order to graduate — typically 1–2 years which has grown to be a popular incentive for international students. In comparison to university, college classes are smaller. This allows students to receive more educational attention from their professors. If you are interested in studying to work in more practical jobs, such as a police officer, firefighter, paralegal, chef, hotel manager etc., colleges are equipped to prepare you for such careers by focusing on skill-building.
As mentioned, the style of learning at colleges is primarily meant to be “hands-on”. In contrast to university, students studying at colleges don’t necessarily need to learn or take courses to learn about other things in their chosen field — just focus on learning what’s needed in their career choice. A highlighted advantage for colleges is that students who have completed a diploma program are able to apply for a master’s program from any Canadian university, and master’s programs as we know can be quite expensive. Luckily, however, college programs are cheaper than universities, ranging from $7,000 to $20,000 CAD/year — this can help students and their families save up money for their master’s tuition!
Apprenticeship
Similar to co-op, an apprenticeship is a paid training experience that offers students a hands-on education to learn about the job/career of choice. If you’re not entirely sure about attending university or college, an apprenticeship is a great choice! You get a steady income for your work and learn from professionals, completing an apprenticeship in about 2–5 years! At the end of your training, you can receive an Apprenticeship Certificate, and then a Certificate of Qualification if your trade requires an exam — this opens up more job opportunities, higher pay and responsibility. Some career examples that fall under the apprenticeship category include plumber, electrician, hairstylist, automotive service technician etc.
However, because you are training for a specific job, an apprenticeship, similar to a college education, will be harder for you to change your career path down the road. In addition, life after high school with an apprenticeship can be a little scary — with having the responsibilities of managing your own finances and work/school schedules as some apprenticeships may require further certifications or education. If you’re interested in a career with on-the-job training like an apprenticeship, this could be a perfect choice if you’re looking to earn some money straight out of high school, or heavily prefer hands-on education.
Military
Now, if you’re looking to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces but don’t want to miss out on a post-secondary education from a college or university, this is an incredible option for you. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has a variety of Paid Education Programs that offer students the opportunity to get their degrees/diplomas while benefitting from paid tuition and administrative fees, paid textbooks and supplies, a full-time salary, great benefits, and even vacation pay! According to the CAF, you’ll be saving $7,500/year on the annual tuition cost of an undergrad degree, with a $26,000/year annual starting salary that you’ll earn from the CAF while attending your paid education program. This salary will immediately increase when you graduate and will continue to as you move up in the rankings.
However, it is important to note that these programs will require you to pay for your own accommodation and meals while earning your degree and serve a mandatory 4–5 years of service upon graduation. And seven years for pilots. These different programs range from the Regular Officer Training Plan, Dental Officer Training Plan, Non-Commissioned Members Program etc., offering different leadership, second language training, and challenging roles and tasks for a wide variety of occupations.
Gap Year
Finally, if you’ve not taken interest in any of the above options, then maybe consider a gap year! As intimidating as the option is, a gap year isn’t a bad idea for high school graduates who still have no idea what it is they want to do yet — and that’s perfectly okay! Not only is it a perfect option for those who are still trying to pick a career path, but also for those who are trying to get in some travelling, gain more volunteering/work experiences, or learn to save up money and handle their own finances etc.
During your gap year, you can take some classes exploring different education fields or career paths-hopefully finding something that will spark an interest and help you develop a variety of skills! Some great classes include part-time college courses, adult high school classes, and/or city recreational programs. Another great option is travelling. More specifically, going on Service Learning-like trips that can offer you leadership or education opportunities, and volunteering experiences at the same time. For example, MEDLIFE Service Learning Trips offer student volunteers the opportunity to work with local/volunteering professionals in areas of medicine, education, and/or development supporting low-income communities in Latin America and Africa.
About the Author
Jenny Pham is a grade 12 student based in the small but large city of Mississauga, Ontario. She is currently working as a math & English tutor; is the founder and 2-year President of her school’s MEDLIFE club, a Chapter to a non-profit organization called the MEDLIFE Movement; and is a new volunteer with Peel Health working at a long-term care center. In her spare time, she greatly enjoys reading, running, and finding new crime T.V. shows to binge-watch.
