By Paul Fitzgerald
Teenagers who take part in volunteering and extra-curricular activities have a better chance early on in developing their academic and career journeys, according to a leading consultant.
Susan McKechnie, who is the co-founder and co-owner of Fresh Careers in Burlington, ON, and Toronto, indicates that most teenagers who get involved in activities in the community will not only have better grades and higher self-esteem, but they will also more than likely know what they want to take in college or university and they will be much better prepared in planning their futures.
At present there is nearly a 28% unemployment rate among college and university graduates. Why?
According to McKechnie many young people don’t have access to the proper resources in high school to plan their academic and career paths properly.
Simply put, there is a lack of guidance counsellors in the Ontario education system (Public and Catholic) and this demonstrates a challenged educational system on many levels. The result is purely damning for the future of teens who are seeking the right guidance and inspirational leadership to help them in their life and career paths. At present the average ratio of students to guidance counsellors is 391 to 1.
And to make things worse, students are graduating with soaring debts while living the life of unemployment, or working in jobs that pay minimum wage. University debt in Ontario is now averaged at $60,000 and college is $27,000.
“Every teenager needs to volunteer and get involved in extra-curricular activities as it opens their minds to the world around them,” says McKechnie.
An initial canine chiropractic examination viagra generico uk can help determine if there are any discrepancies in your body alignment, symmetry, range of motion, and mobility. What is its impact? generic soft viagra improves the sexual desire and also help in reversing the signs of impotence in its earlier stages. If a symptom like blepharitis does occur with ocular psoriasis, ophthalmologic surgeries such as photorefractive keratectomy or LASIK, both designed to correct vision viagra properien more or even cataract surgery must be steered clear of. How Kamagra benefits?Men suffering from ED issues suffer generico viagra on line from erectile problems.
She adds, “The benefits of teens being active outside of the high school classroom setting are endless. It helps them develop new skills necessary for the job market, like leadership, communications, time management, dependability, and decision making.”
Most of all, teenagers who set out to volunteer and take part in extra-curricular activities will veer towards organizations and outlets that are of interest to them and they will know their ‘callings’ earlier rather than later.
“Volunteering and extra-curricular activities help teens explore their creative, physical and societal potential, and it helps them find out where their career aspirations may lie,” says McKechnie.
“By gaining new experiences and creating new connections outside the classroom, teenagers are better able to visualize themselves in a specific field and of course and allow them to explore that daunting question: ‘Can I see myself doing this for the rest of my life?”
Teenagers who plan their academic career paths early will know what to take at college or university, and which will help fast track their career paths. And following graduation they will enter their fields with less debt loads that they can still pay back.
McKechnie and her team at Fresh Careers offer a variety of services, which include: Academic Roadmap – Ten Step Process; Career Exploration; Events and Workshops and Academic and Life/Career Coaching.
She states, “If anything, parents who are concerned about their teen’s future should hire an academic and career coach consultant. Planning today means a better tomorrow for all our youth.
