Building a career is rarely a straight line—it’s a winding path filled with successes, challenges, and unexpected turns. Talking to people about their career journeys can be incredibly valuable because it reveals the reality behind the myth of a “perfect plan.” Most professionals start in entry-level roles, face setbacks, and pivot multiple times before finding a career that fits their values and lifestyle.
One of the easiest ways to learn about careers is by using your personal network—friends, family, and community members. Ask questions like: What led you into your career? What challenges did you overcome? What influenced your decisions? These conversations can open your mind to possibilities you may never have considered. Flexibility and an open mind are essential because careers evolve as life changes.
For high school students, the focus should be on self-discovery:
understanding your interests, skills, and values. These will shift over time,
and that’s okay. Many professionals take years to find a career that feels
right, and most will change careers due to life circumstances—having children,
relocating, health issues, financial needs, or changes in the economy.
That’s why programs like Journey Forward, part of the Planet Youth Initiative in partnership with the United Way of Calgary and Area, are so important. Offered in eight Calgary high schools, Journey Forward brings local professionals to share their personal career stories—the ups, downs, and lessons learned. The goal is to provide youth with practical insights and guidance to help them envisions their own future pathways. Each session, facilitated by a Youth Employment Counsellor, helps students plan their next steps after high school while emphasizing resilience and adaptability.
Over 300 students who attended one of the 33 Journey Forward sessions in
2025 shared powerful takeaways:
- “There is a
career for everyone—sometimes you just have to explore a bit to find the
right fit.”
- “I have way
more career options than I thought, and I don’t have to have my life
figured out just because I’m graduating high school.”
- “I enjoyed this
experience because they talked about how they got inspired to become a
police officer. Even though they went through some ups and downs, they
never gave up. It proved to me that you can use your negative life
experiences for good.”
- “I really
enjoyed the storytelling the speakers did. They both shared their own
personal successes and mistakes, which took pressure off me to make the
right decision all the time.”
Career growth is a journey, not a destination. By listening, learning,
and staying open to change, you can build a future that reflects who you
are—and who you’re becoming.
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The Youth Employment Centre features a variety of career pathing and networking opportunities. Whether it's a personalized one on one with an employment counsellor, requesting an information interview or attending an upcoming Living Library event, we're here to help.
Visit calgary.ca/yec for more information.