Think About Possible Career, Education, and Training Goals

Start by considering what your teen enjoys, what they are good at, and what skills they are developing. Exploring possible careers and occupations can help identify different education, training, and experience that may be needed. There are many possible paths, including university, college, trades, apprenticeships, career training, and other forms of post-secondary education.

• Start with interests, strengths, and skills
• Explore possible careers and occupations
• Research what education, training, or experience different careers require
• Explore university, college, trades, apprenticeships, and other training
• Keep several possibilities open
• Let goals develop and change over time

Talk to Institutions and Program Advisors in Advance and Work Backward from Admission Requirements

Once a possible direction has been identified, find out what is actually required to get there. Admission requirements can vary between institutions and between programs at the same institution. Contacting the institution or program directly can help you understand the requirements before you start planning courses.

Ask about general admission requirements, including mature student admission where applicable. This can be as young as 16 years old. Find out whether there are ways to apply without a traditional high school transcript, including open studies, unclassified studies, or other non-traditional admission routes like presenting portfolios of work or essays and assessments. Then look at the specific requirements for the program itself.

• Find out general admission requirements, including mature student admissions
• Find out about admission without a traditional high school transcript, including open studies, unclassified studies, mature student, or other routes where available
• Find out what is required to enter a particular program, school, trade, or apprenticeship
• Ask about other ways to demonstrate readiness and meet requirements
• Find out what prerequisites or qualifications are needed
• Plan your child’s learning and experiences around those requirements

Research Prerequisite Courses and Plan for High School Credits, if Needed

Some paths require particular high school courses or BC credits. Others do not. Once you know what a particular program or pathway requires, you can determine whether your teen needs to earn specific credits and, if so, how those credits can be obtained.

Planning ahead is especially important when a course is a prerequisite for another course or must be completed before an application can be submitted.

• Identify any required high school courses or BC credits
• Find out which courses are prerequisites for later courses or programs
• Look at the different ways to earn required credits
• Plan ahead for courses that may need to be completed before applying
• Consider whether BC credits are actually needed for the chosen path

Research Different Pathways to the Same Goal

There is often more than one way to reach the same destination. A particular career may be accessible through a university degree, a college program, a trade or apprenticeship, specialized training, or a combination of education and work experience.

Comparing pathways can help your teen find an option that fits their interests, circumstances, and goals. The BC Transfer Guide can also be useful when planning to move between participating post-secondary institutions.

• Compare different schools, programs, and training options
• Look at university, college, trades, and apprenticeship routes
• Consider certificates, diplomas, and other forms of training
• Explore the BC Transfer Guide when considering moving between participating institutions
• Look at whether work experience or other qualifications can provide an alternative route

Revisit Plans as Interests and Goals Change

Plans made during the teen years do not have to be permanent. Interests can change, new opportunities can appear, and a young person may discover that a different path is a better fit. Planning ahead does not mean being locked into one direction.

• Adjust plans as interests develop
• Explore new career, education, and training options
• Change courses or learn new skills as needed
• Consider a different pathway if goals change
• Keep options open as plans develop