For some Grade 9 students, choosing a career after high school is still a work in progress. On Wednesday, students across the city got a chance to explore some of those possibilities firsthand as workplaces opened their doors for Take Our Kids to Work Day. The annual initiative gives students an opportunity to step outside the classroom, shadow professionals, and get a better understanding of the skills, education and experience needed for different careers. For student Stacy Conde, the experience helped provide some direction. “I felt it was really difficult because everybody around me kind of knew what they wanted to do,” she says on trying to figure out her own career path. “But I looked at all these opportunities, and I know it’s really important to ask questions, and now I’m going to try volunteering at CHEO, and I realized I want to work in the medical field.” At Notre Dame High School, students had a chance to hear from professionals without having to leave the building. A career panel brought together speakers from health care, business, emergency services and charitable organizations, which also included Porter Airlines pilot Jane Friel, who says days like this are important to help the next generation see all their possibilities. “It’s really important for us, especially me as a woman in a male-dominated industry,” she said. “To come out and represent the industry and show young women and girls that they can do this.” Notre Dame guidance counsellor Christine Barlow says showcasing a variety of career choices can help youth understand that professional paths are not always straightforward. “The more that we can expose them to people’s journeys and let them realize that things are twisty and to know that’s okay, I think the better it gives them hope for the future,” she said.” A group of students also visited the Bell Media Ottawa studios at 87 George street in the ByWard Market where they got a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of CTV, CTV 2 and the company’s four radio stations – TSN1200, Move 100, Pure Country 94 and Newstalk 580 CFRA, including the technology and production work involved in broadcasting. Take Our Kids to Work Day was launched in 1994 by The Learning Partnership, beginning as an initiative in the Greater Toronto Area before expanding nationally. The program was designed to connect classroom learning with real-world careers, giving Grade 9 students an opportunity to explore the working world as they begin making decisions about their education and future. Across Canada, an estimated 200,000 students take part annually, visiting workplaces and learning from people in a wide range of industries. For students still weighing their options, the day offers a reminder that there is no single path to a career, and sometimes the first step is simply finding out what’s out there.
