PATHWAYS to SUCCESS Potential Graduate Information Presentation

1. PATHWAYS to SUCCESSPotential Graduate Information Presentation

2. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • Will you have 30 different credits? • Are all compulsory credits achieved? • Are community service hours complete AND submitted? • Have you passed the OLT? • It is your responsibility to check your credit counselling summary carefully.

3. What Am I All About? When considering a destination pathway it is important to explore all options. This exploration should include many of the following factors: • Strengths/limitations • Academic skills, Essential Skills • Part-time work • Volunteer work • Interests/hobbies • Your successes • Cooperative education experiences • School activities/clubs/teams

4. What pathway will I choose after high school? • Workplace • Apprentice • College • University

5. Are you planning on returning to high school? If so… HAVE A GOOD PLAN/PURPOSE!! • Legitimate upgrades • COOP experience • Student exchange • Obtain prerequisite courses • SHSM programs

6. WORLD OF WORK What factors are involved if you are jumping right into the labour force? AdvantagesDisadvantages ► ? ► ? ► ? ► ? ► ? ► ?

7. WORLD OF WORK Are you able to get some experience in the field you wish to work? Volunteer?? Co-op?? Part Time Work?? Do you have the following? ► resume ► Ontario Student Transcript/ Certificate of Accomplishment ► cover letter ► additional qualifications portfolio ► reference letters

8. Employment Resources • Job Connect - Free employment planning for youth/adults not attending school full time. Sarnia 541-2404 www.lambton.on.ca/jobconnect North Lambton 786-6780 www.theJobConnect.on.ca Chatham-Kent 380-8865 www.stclaircollege.ca/yecc • Job Search Network– A free workshop providing skills training for the unemployed. Sarnia 332-5583 www.jobsearchnetwork.ca

9. Employment Resources • Employment Resource Centres - Free use of job boards, computer use/internet, cover letter and resume workshops, etc. Sarnia Employment Resource Centre 344-9303 www.ercsarnia.ca Chatham-Kent Employment Resource Centre 380-8878 (Federal Building) Wallaceburg Employment Resource Centre 627-6986 (Municipal Service Centre)

10. APPRENTICESHIP An apprentice is a person who is learning a trade from an experienced mentor. Approximately 90% of training takes place on-the-job and 10% is in the classroom. There are over 200 apprenticeship trades in Ontario. Sample Trades: Automotive Painter Brick Mason Cook Electrician Farm Equip Tech Cement Finisher Carpenter Hairstylist An employer must be found before an apprenticeship can begin.

11. COLLEGE • There are 25 colleges of applied arts and technology in Ontario with hundreds of career driven programs to choose from. Many colleges have more than one campus location. That means students can take full-time and part-time courses at more than 100 locations across the province. How can a college education help me? • College programs will give you the skills you need to get started in a good career. College graduates may go into business, tourism and travel, journalism, computer programming, construction trades, health care, and many other fields.

12. COLLEGE • Must have ENG4C or 4U • Application deadline is February 1st • Cost: $95 for 5 choices Can apply for up to three programs at one school • All OCAS applications are on-line at www.ontariocolleges.ca

13. COLLEGE Important College Questions • Have you investigated different college programs at www.ontariocolleges.ca or with the Find a Program guide? • Have you signed up for college information sessions? • Have you verified all admission requirements? • Do you understand how the colleges will determine your entrance marks? • Have you taken a campus tour? • Do you know what mark differentiation is? Collaborative programs? • Have you explored scholarship and financial assistance opportunities? • Have you discussed a financial plan with your parents?

14. COLLEGE EVENTS • College Information Liaison Visits College representatives will visit your school for small workshops. • College Information Program October 27th • Colleges will host CIP’s where reps from all Ontario schools will be represented during an evening event. • College Field Trips Colleges will often fund transportation for large group tours. • Personal Tours Arrangements can be made for individual tours. PD Days or March Break are perfect opportunities to take a tour. Contact each individual college for tour dates and times. Virtual Tour Take a virtual tour at the college website of your choice.

15. UNIVERSITY • There are 21 publicly assisted universities in Ontario, including the Royal Military College and the Ontario College of Art and Design. All offer undergraduate (bachelor) degrees, and most offer graduate (master's and doctoral) degrees. • While some universities are known for key specialist programs, each school has its own history and character. They all offer many exciting choices to students in a part time, full time, or virtual format. • YOU need to do the research to find the one that is right for YOU!!!!

16. University • Application deadline is January 12th • Applications are online at www.ouac.on.ca • Fee in 2010-2011 - $120 for 3 choices (each extra choice add $40 – unlimited) • Minimum overall average of 60% in 6 Gr. 12 “U” or “U/C” courses (most have higher admission averages). • Where there are prerequisite courses for admission, such courses will likely be required at the “U” level. • Universities have published their new program prerequisites (web-sites, handbooks and www.electronicinfo.ca ). • Universities may consider Gr. 11 and 12 (“U” and “U/C”) marks for admission and/or prerequisites. • Go to www.ouac.on.ca for details • Research programs at www.electronicinfo.ca

17. UNIVERSITY Important University Questions • Have you investigated different university programs at www.ouac.on.ca or with www.electronicinfo.ca ? • Have you signed up for university information sessions? • Have you verified all admission requirements? • Do you understand how the universities will determine your entrance marks? • Have you taken a campus tour? • Have you considered collaborative programs? • What are transfer agreements? • Have you explored scholarship and financial assistance opportunities? • Have you discussed a financial plan with your parents? • Are you considering going to USA (writing SAT’s)?

18. University Events • University Information Liaison Visits University representatives will visit your school for small workshops. • University Information Program September 28th University UIP’s will be held in your area where reps from all Ontario schools will be represented during an evening event. • University Field Trips Some universities will often fund transportation for group/individual tours. • Personal Tours Arrangements can be made for individual tours. PD Days or March Break are perfect times to take a tour. Contact individual universities for tour dates and times. Virtual Tour Take a virtual tour at the university website of your choice.

19. Financing Post Secondary Education Scholarships: Financial reward based on academic achievement Bursaries: Financial reward based on need, extracurricular involvement, or volunteer work Research Scholarship/Bursary Opportunities • Your School – See your guidance counsellor • School of Choice – Investigate $$ opportunities where you are applying • LKDSB - Go to www.lkdsb.net and click scholarships/bursaries • Government Funding/Loans – Go to www.osap.gov.on.ca • Parents’ Work • Your Work • Community Service Groups • Other resource websites www.studentawards.comwww.scholarshipscanada.com www.edu.gov.on.ca Don’t forget that you can go to your local bank to inquire about student loans.

20. Thank You Your student services department is committed to assisting students and parents with the transition from high school to the destination of choice. Feel free to contact them at any time for further information.