Career Education

Alpha’s Career Center provides Work Experience opportunities for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students and links this experience to a chosen career. The 90 Hours option is an elective course which provides students with 4 course credits.

The differences between Graduation Transitions 30 hours and 90 Hours the course are listed below:

 30 Hours paid work or volunteer work experience:

A graduation requirement, one of the 4 components

Students can receive credit for paid work or volunteer work.

Students sometimes have difficulty finding volunteer work and can receive work experience arranged by their Graduation Transition’s Advisor or a Career Advisor.

90 Hours option:

An elective course worth 4 credits,

Volunteer work only,

Students must choose a focus area (found below)

Complete 90 Hours of work experience in grade 11 and grade 12 year split into two 45 hour placements,

Complete a Career Portfolio

Advantages of Work Experience Programs

 Work experience provides students a chance to learn about specific jobs and their related career opportunities. Students become informed about specific choices.

The 90 Hours of Work Experience Program satisfies the 30 Hours graduation requirement.

Students make valuable career contacts that assist with planning his/her career or gaining insight entry into a chosen field of employment in the future.

Work Experiences supervisors provide an evaluation/reference that can be added to a student’s resume.

There is a strong possibility that the work experience will offer a student future paid employment.

Career Program- Focus Area

Business and Applied Business- XA

Fine Arts, Design and Media- XB

Fitness and Recreation- XC

Health and Human Services- XD

Liberal Arts-XE

Sciences- XF

Tourism- XG

Trades- XH

For more information about Career Education, Youth train in Trades, Youth work in Trades, please visit our Burnaby Districts website –http://sd41.bc.ca/programs/career/

Career Programs Focus Areas

Sample Occupation Options Matched to Focus Areas

BUSINESS AND APPLIED BUSINESS FOCUS AREA (XA)

Accountant, bookkeeper, purchasing agent, payroll clerk, data entry clerk, office assistant , secretary, business office manager, human resources manager, entrepreneur, banker, financial planner, stockbroker, marketing executive, salesperson. Realtor, insurance agent, court clerk, hairdresser, esthetician, cosmetician.

 FINE ARTS, DESIGN AND MEDIA FOCUS AREA (XB)

Artist, illustrator, painter, art curator, photographer, actor, film director, producer, set designer, cinematographer, camera operator, audio video technician, broadcaster, musician, conductor, composer, singer, dancer, choreographer, fashion designer, tailor, interior designer, craftsperson, jeweler, animator, game developer, web page designer, graphic artist

 FITNESS AND RECREATION FOCUS AREA (XC)

Athlete, coach, referee, recreation director, facilities manager, community recreation coordinator, trainer, fitness consultant, ski/golf/tennis instructor

 HEATH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOCUS AREA (XD)

Doctor, nurse, health care assistant, paramedic, pharmacist, veterinarian, optometrist, chiropractor, dentist, dental assistant, dental hygienist, dietician, physiotherapists, occupational therapist, speech therapist, massage therapist, medical/dental lab technicians, teach, teaching assistant, daycare worker, counselor, psychologist, social worker, home support worker, firefighter, lawyer, paralegal layer, police officer, probation officer, security guard

 LIBERAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES FOCUS AREA (XE)

Anthropologist, sociologist, archeologist, historian, political scientist, geographer, urban planner, journalist, museum curator, archivist, librarian, linguist, interpreter, clergy, communications officer, government public service.

 SCIENCE AND APPLIED SCIENCES FOCUS AREA (XF)

Engineer, architect, landscape architect, land surveyor, physicist, chemist, biologist, environmentalist, forester, meteorologist, geologist, mathematician, computer programmer, aviation pilot, air traffic controller, aviation mechanic. Technician in areas related to occupations listed above

 TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND FOCUS AREAS (XG)

Tourism information counselor, reservations sales agent, hotel manager, front desk agent, concierge, food and beverage manager, host/hostess, server, chef, baker, bartender, chef, catering company owner/manager, flight attendant, tour guide, campground operator, hunting and fishing guide

 TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY FOCUS AREA (XH)

Plumber, pipe fitter, gas fitter, sprinkler installer, carpenter, cabinet maker, framer, drywall installer, roofer, bricklayer, painter, decorator, contactor, upholster, tile setter, floor covering installer, insulator, electrician, instrumentation, mechanic, car audio installer, security/alarm installer, power engineer, aircraft maintenance engineer, millwright, machinist, welder, communications repair technician, heavy equipment operator/mechanic motor vehicle mechanic, auto body repair and refinisher