Speakers Bureau
Sharing career stories to inspire youth
Our volunteer Speakers Bureau enables Waterloo Region educators and schools to connect with inspirational guest speakers from the local workforce quickly and easily so that students can make better informed and inspired career choices for their future.
Our Speakers Bureau connects students to real world career stories
For 20 years, the volunteers in our Speakers Bureau have shared their career experiences with students in elementary and high school.
In grades 7 and 8, our speakers help your class to explore a wide range of jobs and learn how they got there. By sharing their career journey, our speakers help youth understand the need to continually use new information to assess their current path, consider revising their goals, and determine their next steps.
In a grade 10 careers studies class, students research jobs they find interesting and the skills, knowledge, training, and education required. Our speakers provide an interactive, real world source of valuable information. Having speakers complements our upcoming Career Discovery presentation.
In high school, every subject's curriculum has a career component. Our speakers help connect what students are learning in class to what they can do when they enter the workforce. They know the answers to questions like: "How will I use geometry or calculus when working? What can I do with a degree in biology? What are my career options if I thrive in English or history?" because of their lived experience.
Educators can access the Speakers Bureau by making an online request. We will then arrange a speaker based on your needs and schedule. You (and your students) can preview many of our volunteers in our Career Profile section.
Request a Speaker
Looking for more detail about how the Speakers Bureau works for educators?
Meet some of our Speakers
Hundreds of local community members give their time and expertise to inform and inspire young people through our Speakers Bureau. Many of them share information about their job and how they got there in our Career Profile section.
Make a difference in a young person's life!
Our Speakers Bureau is a community of volunteers who help youth in Waterloo Region to better understand and prepare for the world of work. Sharing your career story and participating in other activities is important to helping youth make informed decisions about their career goal and their pathway towards achieving it.
Interested in learning more? See our Volunteer page.
Welcome to the Team
Thanks for volunteering to share your career story and information about your job to youth in Waterloo Region!
Here's what you need to know about being a Speaker and advice on how to share your story.
Educators guide to the Speakers Bureau
Educators can use the Speakers Bureau to quickly and easily access local guest speakers that fit with your course and student interests. Hundreds of members of our local workforce are ready to help your students better understand their career options after high school and the steps they can take to get there.
We work with you to find a speaker that best fits your request. Keep in mind that includes considering the availability of our volunteers.
Go to Educators Guide to the Speakers Bureau