Youth and Families
Explore your career options and how to get there
Check out our tools and resources that help you make informed decisions about your future.
Upcoming EventsGet started with Explore Your Future
Explore Your Future is an event series started in 2017 that brings together local youth in grades 7-12, their parents/caregivers, and community members to explore career options.
Typically 1-2 Explore Your Future career expos are organized each school year, occasionally supplemented by other online or in-person activities.
Get creative!
Through the Youth Creativity Fund youth ages 15-18 in Waterloo Region can apply for microgrants of up to $1000 towards a creative learning / problem-solving project.
Our goal is to say yes to all ideas! If you're not quite ready, we'll provide some advice so you can reapply.
Applications are reviewed after the end of each month. Find more info and apply at the Youth Creativity Fund website.
Get started exploring our toolbox
Our toolbox features several ways for you to explore different jobs, fields of work and a look inside workplaces.
Career Profiles
Many of our volunteer speakers share their job description and their career journeys. Check them out!
Virtual Workplace Tours
Several businesses and organizations have opened their doors to give potential employees a chance to see their workplace. Check them out!
Recommended Resources
We also suggest a number of other tools for exploring your career options including those offered by Edge Factor, myBlueprint and FindYourJob.ca from the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo, Wellington, Dufferin. Check these and more out now!
Learning by doing
Our experiential learning section features many ways that you can learn by doing.
While you are in high school, you can get real world work experience to learn skills and try out different career options. You can even get a head start on getting into the workforce as an apprentice. Learn more.
Check out these options:
Specialist High Skill Major program
More experiential learning options
Want to figure out which options work for you?
SHARE YOUR STORY
How do real world work experiences make a difference?
Do you have a story about high school co-op or other experiential learning opportunities in action here in Waterloo Region?
Share your story with us so we can inspire more high school students, educators, and businesses to get involved!
