These FAQs are intended as general information and do not replace professional advice. For additional guidance, consult with a Career Counsellor
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Can I do an aptitude test? / Is there a test that will tell me what I should do? Our Career Counsellors are qualified to use professional career tests, and they have access to these to help you explore career options. Career tests will not provide the magic answer but they are a great way to learn about yourself and generate ideas you might have overlooked or never considered.
What types of career tests are available? There several different types of career assessments that the Career Counsellor use including:
- Interest Assessments - Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), Career Directions Inventory (CDI), Jackson Vocational Interest Survey (JVIS), Strong Interest Inventory ("The Strong")
- Personality Assessments - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Personality Dimensions (PD)
- Abilities/Skills - Campbell Interest and Skills Survey (CISS), Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQi)
- Work Values - Values Scale
Can I change my program? Sure you can... but before withdrawing or making any changes you may want to consider your career goal(s) first. After all, education is what takes you to a career outcome... sort of like how an airplane takes you to a destination. So to help ensure you don't wind up in a different program and wanting to change again, it makes sense to do some career exploration and research. Drop by the Career Centre to see a Career Counsellor
I'm doing okay in my program, but I am bored/unmotivated - what should I do? Effective career choice is not just about what you can do (abilities) but also about what you enjoy (interests), how you interact with the world (personality) and what is important to you (values). If you are feeling bored or unmotivated despite doing well at school (or especially if you are not!) then at some level you are questioning your career and it is a good occasion to do some research and, if warranted, some career exploration activities.
How do I become a teacher? There is no one answer to this question but, in general, to each in Ontario at the elementary, intermediate or secondary levels you need an Ontario Teaching Certificate. This is obtained by doing a one-year B.Ed. program (this is a university degree, although it is commonly referred to as "teachers college"). To be eligible for the B.Ed. you need an undergraduate degree (e.g., B.A., B.Sc., etc) plus volunteer and/or paid experience with people in the age group you wish to teach. If you want to teach at the secondary level, your undergraduate degree should major in two teachable subjects. Doing the undergraduate followed by the teaching degree is known as a "consecutive" program. There are also "concurrent" programs in which you complete your B.A. and B.Ed. as one program. There are pros and cons to either route. In addition, there are exceptions and other options so you may want to discuss your situation with one of our Career Counsellor. This is only a general summary. For complete details, visit the Ontario College of Teachers
If I take a certain program at college or university, how do I know I will have a career in that area? You don't because there are never guarantees. Some things you can do to make it more likely things will work out as you hope are to research both the program and the career it leads you to. In terms of the program, see if the school offers information on career outcomes for people who have graduated. As for the career, look it up using some of the great sites on our online resources page.