Post-Secondary Plans
Queen’s University
During their senior year of high school, students are required to make significant, life-altering decisions. As graduation comes closer and closer, it is expected that grade 12 students start thinking about life after graduation and explore what opportunities lie beyond mandatory education.
Many students are in the same situation; they must be prepared for the next stage of their lives to start, but are uncertain about what their next steps will be. Some may get to know themselves, research jobs that suit their interests, and talk to people around them to figure out what the next chapter of their lives might look like, while others may have already found their area of passion.
After interviewing more than 40 Hamber graduates, it became clear that each student has a unique way of approaching life after graduation. Around 40 per cent of the interviewees are planning to go into STEM.
Jessica Tobin (12) is considering an aviation career.
“I want to become a commercial pilot. I’m applying to the University of Waterloo and Western for their well-known aviation program. I have been travelling since I was a little kid, and have always been fascinated by the mystical buttons on airplanes,” she said.
Eric Li (12) and Haeden Freimanis (12) want to become computer scientists.
“I want to study computer science at U of T or UBC because I’ve always been interested in technology and I hope to invent something that’ll change the world,” Li revealed.
Nishil Vankamamidi (12) is looking forward to a career in astronautics and engineering.
“I have a love for astronomy and physics. I plan on working at NASA and SpaceX for rocket designs,” he said.
Janelle Sobredo (12) wants to major in kinesiology.
“I’ve always played sports, so being in the sports industry would be cool, like as a team nurse,” she said.
Other students plan on following a career path that is not related to STEM, one of them being Juilia Hayash (12).
“I’m applying to Yale and NYU for business because my family is in the Cannabis industry, and I want to start my own cannabis company,” she lamented.
Samuel See (12) is inspired by cars.
“I like cars a lot, I have worked on cars at my house many times, that’s why I want a career related to automotive.” he said.
It is also important for an individual to decide if having a gap year after high school is a good option for them. 95 per cent of the interviewees are not planning on taking a gap year. Mr. M. Lam (Science) agrees that a gap year can change the academic rhythm.
“I don’t think I would recommend it to most students. I think for most people, you’re going through high school and you’re in that rhythm of school and a lot of people have found it challenging to go back to school after not taking school for a while,” Lam said.
While very few Hamber grads consider taking a gap year, some teachers think that taking a gap year is a great tool to fulfill different purposes that one may have. Ms. B. Panesar (English) strongly encourages students to take a gap year.
“I definitely do agree that students should take a gap year. In the UK, many students take a gap year to travel and gain work experience. I think it adds to the student’s maturity level. They know what life is all about and they know what they want out of life more than just going straight to university and not knowing where they want to go or what they want to do,” she stated.
Mr. A. Stevens (Science) has advice for those planning to take a gap year.
“I suggest volunteering and doing anything related to what you want to go to school for. You can get a job and save up for school or you can start a business or travel.”