Spiria Fearon, Host of Reality Check on Flow 93.5 interviewed Diane Moore on November 17, 2002 about options for high school students who are facing the “double cohort” challenge in applying to colleges and universities for fall 2003.
SF: For most, high school is a time of growth and change. When focusing on the future graduating high school, carries more uncertainty now, more than ever. With nearly 5000 more students graduating from Ontario high schools than there are post-secondary spaces available, this year’s graduates have the added pressure of carefully evaluating their options for their academic and professional futures. George Brown College recently released the findings of their survey which found 82 percent of students remain hopeful that they will be accepted in the post-secondary institution of their choice. George Brown career counsellor Diane Moore says the majority of students are optimistic.
DM: Students are for the most part very excited. This is a wonderful time to be entering the workforce because the opportunities are unlimited in terms of what you can do these days, so it's really a matter of finding what you would like to do and then looking for an opportunity to work in that field. As an example, some people would love to be counsellors and there are many different ways to do that. Yes, you can go the route of being a psychiatrist or psychologist. That’s many years of training, very expensive schooling. Or you can come and do a shorter program like Human Services Counselling at George Brown College and within 2 to 3 years you can be out working in the field as a counsellor. So my impression is that students are very excited and very aware that all of these options are available to them.
SF: The survey also found that 31 percent of students believe financial services will provide good career opportunities, 30 percent thought nursing was the way to go, whereas 24 percent opted for information technology. This shows students are in tune with Toronto’s economic indicators by choosing to study professions that are in high demand.
DM: The thing that is top of mind when they are applying is “What program can I take so that I will get a job after I graduate?” That is the key thing they're asking themselves and that's certainly a legitimate question to ask. Many of the programs that we offer at college are designed to match what the big demand is in the workforce, in the labour market. So that's why, for example, you see a big expansion in our financial services area, because there is a huge demand for people to work in those areas. The same with all of our social services programs, our health sciences, big demand in those areas. So the programs that we offer tend to match and mirror what the demand is out in the marketplace.
SF: But what about those students who choose a specific field of study solely because it offers career possibilities upon graduation, not taking into consideration if they would enjoy their field of choice. Diane says it's important ask yourself, “Will I enjoy doing this kind of work?”
DM: As a career counsellor, what I often see is students coming into my office a month, two months, three months, after they have started their program, realizing that they were only looking at, “Will I get a job in this program?” They weren't looking at, “Will I enjoy doing this kind of work?” Maybe they got pressured by parents who said, “Go into computers because I know you can get a job there,” and then they discover that they don't really like computers, or they don't have an aptitude for it, so it's very, very important to match those two things: what you are interested in doing, what you are good at doing, and also what the market is offering in terms of employment.
SF: It's important that both parents and students educate themselves about the options available to them. That would in effect ease some of the stress associated with the process. Most post-secondary institutions like George Brown offer career counselling and workshops. If you're at a loss as to what career options you should take, consider contacting the college or university of your choice and ask to be referred to a counsellor who might help you get on the right track. You may be glad you did.
©2006 by Diane Moore. All rights reserved.