Roger Hargreaves says it’s about the twinkle in their eye.
The Sooke School District’s career development co-ordinator said the trick is for students to find their passion, and a career information evening Feb. 17 at Royal Bay secondary has an eye on giving West Shore youth a sneak peek into the future.
“It’s important to have a night like this to open the eyes of parents and students of the career options,” Hargreaves said.
“People think of the general terms – a policeman, fireman, lawyer, doctor – they can name half dozen and get stuck, when there are thousands of really good careers … with great money to be made.”
Information booths, employers and exhibitors, and trade schools will showcase career ideas and options.
Representatives will be looking to spark conversations with students about making the transition to whichever pathway they choose, whether it is a trade school, university or heading directly into the workforce.
“We’ve got a real potpourri of careers to look at, that don’t necessarily require a degree to get into, that are really rewarding,” Hargreaves said. “The earlier we can get people that we know are interested in an area, the more time we have to work with them.”
That means getting students into a proper transition program, to make sure they have their graduation requirements met and they have a clear path charted out, he added.
Next week’s event, starting at 6:30 p.m., is geared towards West Shore students in Grades 9 to 12.
“Come check out the options before you make a decision so (you) can make an informed decision. The old stereotype of getting a degree to get a good career is not necessary in that order,” he said.
“You might be able to get a career and then the degree to get you even further.”
alim@goldstreamgazette.com