Learning about career choices

Times Reporter     

 

There is a world full of choices when it comes to picking a career. Some people know right away what they want to do with their lives, while others never quite figure it out. Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta is bringing a World of Choices Forum to Strathmore on March 6 for students in Grades 10-12 in hopes of helping them with their decision. 

“It will give them the opportunity to ask one-on-one questions and find out information from professionals or individuals that already work in a particular career that they are interested in,” said Wendy Gerbrandt, SE Prairie Regional program coordinator. 

The forum will also give the students a chance to explore career options they may not have known existed, or would never have considered. The program has run out of Lethbridge for 14 years and this is the first time it will be in Strathmore. Students interested in participating need to pre-register by Feb. 4 and can do so by going to by contacting wgerbrandt@jasouthalberta.org, or by going to http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/world-of-choices-career-forum-tickets-9908348136?aff=es2. There is no cost for the forum.

In addition to students registering, there is also a need for mentors to speak to them. There will be five round table discussions with about seven students at each table. Gerbrandt is looking for trades people and business professionals like those involved in health and wellness, whether it’s for animals or people, engineers, doctors, dentists and so on. She does have enough volunteers for the financial section. The RCMP and the military also already have representatives who will be volunteering to speak to the kids. 

Gerbrandt would also like to see some mentors come in who are in non-traditional roles, like male nurses or female mechanics who can help show the kids that they really can do anything they want to do. Gerbrandt needs 20 to 40 mentors; she currently has 13 confirmed. The registration deadline for anyone wishing to mentor is Feb. 10. 

Contact Wendy Gerbrandt at wgerbrandt@jasouthalberta.org. for more information.