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All About The Workplace Pathway

Are you ready to start working? Wondering what to consider and plan for as you enter the workforce? You are not alone! People choose to take the workplace pathway straight out of high school for many reasons, some out of necessity, others by personal choice. For some, employment is a short-term step; for others, it becomes a long-term career path.

Employment can be part-time or full-time and can happen alongside other pathways, such as post-secondary education, training in a trade, or participating in the community. Regardless of your post-secondary plan, most individuals will enter the workforce at some point in their future. Exploring the workplace pathway is about understanding what it means to work, building the right skills and supports, and setting yourself up for success.

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The Workplace Pathway 

Joining the workforce, whether part-time or full-time, is an exciting and important step in many people’s lives. It is a pathway choice that allows you to gain real-world experience, build independence, earn income, and continue growing both personally and professionally. 

The workplace pathway may be a great fit if you: 

  • Are excited to start earning money 
  • Already have a job or career idea in mind, or want to explore different options before choosing a long-term path 
  • Are not currently pursuing further education, or plan to work while attending post-secondary education
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Additional things to keep in mind:

While this pathway can provide income right away, many people choose to return to school or training later to build new skills or advance their careers.

Many entry-level jobs require more independence and offer less structure than high school, so developing strong self-management and problem-solving skills is important.

It is common to balance work with other activities such as volunteering, recreation, or part-time education.

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What Does this Pathway Look Like?

The workplace or employment pathway includes a wide variety of jobs, and it is always changing! As technology evolves and industries shift, some jobs become less common while new opportunities continue to emerge. The Government of Canada Job Bank offers information on the current job market and identifies regions with high employment prospects. 

Students entering the workforce directly after secondary school often start in entry-level positions. These are jobs that typically don’t require advanced education or formal training. 

Examples include: 

  • Retail, customer service, or food service 
  • Cleaning and maintenance 
  • Office or warehouse work 
  • Sales or transportation 
  • Manufacturing or construction 
  • Non-compulsory trades (trades that do not require formal certification) 
  • Self-employment or entrepreneurship 
  • Supported employment through agencies (which provide extra job support for individuals with disabilities or those who need help finding or keeping a job) 

Each of these options can help you build valuable skills, experience, and confidence for the future.

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Job Considerations

As you think about entering the workforce, take some time to reflect on your goals, strengths, skills, and abilities. Knowing what matters most to you can make your job search more focused and rewarding.

Ask yourself: What are my priorities?

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Interests

What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at?

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Income

What is the starting pay, and is there room to grow?

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Schedule

Do you prefer a regular schedule, shift work, or flexible hours?

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Work setting

Busy or quiet? Indoors or outdoors?

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Activity level

Do you like being active or seated?

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Team environment

Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?

It can be hard to find a job that checks every box, and that’s okay! Choosing one or two top priorities can help guide your search and give you a clearer idea of the types of jobs that might be the best fit for you. From there, you can explore and research options that align with your goals and interests. 

For more in-depth research into jobs, you may want to: 

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Next Steps

Now that you’ve explored what the workplace pathway can look like, the next step is to think about what supports you may need to be successful at work. In the next section, you’ll learn about accessibility in the workplace and how accommodations and supports can help you do your best on the job.

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