Parents have many post-secondary questions, says Deathe
OPINION
By Penny Deathe
Flamborough Review
Thursday, April 6, 2023
“Is esports really a career?”
“How am I going to pay for post-secondary?”
“If they take a gap year, will they ever go back to school?”
“Can you get a job with a degree in history?”
“I’m worried about their mental health.”
“What is the right career path for my child?”
If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve wrestled, or will be wrestling, with some of these questions as well as a whole lot more.
How do you prepare a child for the future when you’re not even sure what the future will look like — or they don’t even know what they’re interested in? When my eldest headed off to university, I realized we really hadn’t prepared as well as we could have, or looked at all the possible options.
It was overwhelming and felt like, “Quick, pick a program that we think you can have a successful career in!” With my next two, we took more time to explore different opportunities, including taking a gap year — or two.
It seems like they enter Grade 11 and it’s do-or-die time. Launching an annual “What’s Your Path?” event in partnership with our local schools in 2013 opened my eyes to all the opportunities we may overlook and realize the road to a lucrative career is filled with curves and potholes.
That’s why Healthy Youth Network is excited to be teaming up with Waterdown District High School Council to present a “What’s Your Path?” event “Future Ready” on May 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. You’ll get a peek at our new “What’s Your Path?” portal that will launch soon, and have the opportunity to tell us what information you’d like to see included.
Then get a glimpse of the future job market and learn how to prepare your child for it. Listen to our expert speakers and visit our information stations where you can talk with knowledgeable professionals.
So if you’ve got questions, we’ll help you get answers.
Penny Deathe is the executive director and founder of the Healthy Youth Network. She can be reached at penny@healthyouthnetwork.ca.
