CAREER MENTORING GROUP MEETING

Week One – Finding the Right Fit for YOU!

About 85% of graduates who enter the workforce

land a job within 6 months of graduation

ANSWER: COLLEGE

1 in 3 students are involved in sports at their

school

ANSWER: UNIVERSITY

55 % of applicants are female

ANSWER: UNIVERSITY

Holly Kruitbosch was a nursing student and

received the Pembroke bursary for excellence in her program. She now

works at the Hospital for Sick Children.

ANSWER: COLLEGE

48.1% of all Canadian students are at a school in

Ontario

ANSWER: UNIVERSITY

THE ONGOING DEBATECOLLEGE VS. UNIVERSITY

There continues to be a divide among students, their parents and guidance counselors. In an upcoming meeting we will deal with influences and how they perceive and affect student’s decisions but now I want to talk about why students should consider both educational pathways. After all, it’s your future.

Most students that I have dealt with that have chosen university over college claim they’ve done so for two reasons:“I’ve always been in the university or “academic” stream in high school.”Or generally the most common…“My parents want me to get a degree.”

Likewise, I often hear these two traditional answers when I hear why a student has chosen college over university:“I like to be hands-on. I don’t like sitting in a classroom for three hours.“Or the real kicker…“I’m not smart enough to go to university.“

THE ONGOING DEBATECOLLEGE VS. UNIVERSITY

Tonight we will think about where these notions come from. Why do your parents push you to get a degree? Who convinced you that you can’t do something you set your mind to? The idea that a university degree will automatically put you in a category above college graduates is simply no longer the case.

Students often flip flop between college and university learning styles. Many current college students actually come from university after realizing that university-style learning just doesn’t work for them. I’ve also met plenty of college students who have decided to continue on to university when the last thing they ever thought they would do is set foot inside a classroom after their two-year diploma.

Just think about it!! I’m not asking you to throw your 10-year plan out the window, I just want you to consider “Why Choose College” and “Why Choose University”. Remember that college and university are not polar opposites; each institution has their pros and cons and all that really matters is that you choose the right place for you. That might mean a college certificate, a masters degree or a combination of something in between. Just remember that this is your future- and it’s your responsibility prop open as many doors as possible.

WHY CHOOSE COLLEGE?TOP 10 REASONS TO CONSIDER COLLEGE

You are a kinesthetic learner (you learn through doing).

You want a job. Fast. You don’t want to incur a huge amount of student

debt. You prefer a smaller learning environment. You want a more casual learning environment. You want to network and make connections that will

help your career. You’re not quite sure you want to commit to a four-

year degree program. Your high school grades don’t reflect your potential. Flexibility. You’re interested in a diverse classroom experience.

 

WHY CHOOSE UNIVERSITY?TOP 10 REASONS TO CONSIDER UNIVERSITY

You love to learn. You’re an auditory learner. You’re not huge on class participation. You’re more of an independent learner. You enjoy reading. You have lots of school spirit – or none at Speaking of individuality You are a social butterfly and want your school life

to reflect it. You want to be a lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc. You want to open your mind and experience new

things.

TYPES OF COLLEGE PROGRAMS

Certificate Programs require the completion of two semesters (or one year) of study and often offer you an introduction to program choices, upgrading or quick job certification. Ex. Pre-health

Diploma Programs require the completion of at least four semesters (or two years) of study. An advanced diploma is granted after three years (6 semesters) of study.

TYPES OF COLLEGE PROGRAMS

Applied Bachelor’s Degree Programs are four-year applied academic programs offer the best of both worlds—practice and theory.

Collaborative & Joint Degree Programs offer the combination of hands-on learning that colleges are known for with the more theoretical approach of university studies. Students may earn either one or two credentials— one from the college and/or one from the university.

Apprenticeships practical experience and skill programs. Devote 75-90% of on-the-job training and remaining classroom instruction. Get paid for work and become certified in the trade after completing provincial requirements. You often have to have employment prior to these programs.

TYPES OF UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

DEGREE is a formal, academic recognition that a student has successfully completed a university-level degree program. An undergraduate degree (also called a

bachelor's degree or baccalaureate) can be entered directly from secondary school and generally requires three or four years of full-time university study to complete.

An honours degree usually involves a higher level of concentration and achievement within the honours subject and may require additional credits.

There are many different types of undergraduate degrees, but the most common are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BSc).

TYPES OF UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Major: your area of primary study. For instance, you could be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History, Anthropology or English etc. A major requires the completion of approximately seven courses in one subject area.

Double major: lets you concentrate your studies in two main areas. This flexibility gives you the chance to combine two related or unrelated areas of interest.

Minor: an area of secondary concentration. A minor is a collection of five courses completed in an area other than your major.

SO THEN WHAT SCHOOL?THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER

Program availability

Do you want to go away or stay local?

What are the admissions averages and pre-requisite courses?

How do you like to learn?

Is there an Internship/Field Placement available?

Small, medium or large school?

What Scholarships/Bursaries are available?

SO THEN WHAT SCHOOL?MAKING THE CHOICE

College & University Tours in the Fall

Apprenticeship Fair

View Books

Ontario College and University Fairs

Institutional Websites

www.electronicinfo.ca – University Programs

www.ontariocolleges.ca – College Programs

Your Guidance Office