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Choosing a career & courses

Setting career goals and choosing a program

• Be sure to check current labour market information: are there many job vacancies, will there be many in future, where in BC does this work occur, etc.
• Be sure to research the kind of work you are exploring: is it seasonal, limited to certain regions, generally shiftwork, physically demanding, etc.
• Consider completing some form of personal assessment to review your skills, interests, and what it is you really enjoy.
• Talk to someone in the careers you’re exploring—consider job shadowing (spending a day or days following someone in the job) or looking for an entry level job in the same industry to see what it’s like.
• Consider any barriers that may limit your success in this particular career (e.g. allergies or physical limitations, inability to do shift work, comfort working with the public, family demands, etc.).
• If you haven’t been in school for a while, consider having your math and/or English skills assessed in the Assessment Centre—you may do better if you upgrade your basic skills first.

Choosing courses and getting registered

• Be careful not to take too many courses especially if you’re working; 60% is required for a student loan—note that some external funding agencies may require full time attendance, and some programs are only available full time, as outlined in the calendar.
• Getting good grades is important especially if you’re planning to transfer to another institution or trying to get into another Camosun program: commit to attending class, using the supports available: Learning Skills, Math Lab, Writing Centre, Counselling.
• If you have a choice of classes, choose electives carefully: Will they assist or distract you? How much work will they be? Do they interest you—you’ll be more successful in classes that you enjoy!
• Note the deadline to officially withdraw from classes that are not working out for you, to avoid academic penalty; If you can choose the time of day of your classes, think about the schedule you’d like to have: At what time are you most able to listen and learn? When can you get a ride? When do you have child care? When might you have to work? If your schedule is fixed, how will you adjust your other commitments to make it work?
• If you’re arranging your own schedule, be sure times of the classes you pick don’t conflict.
• Check course prerequisites carefully—you will be removed from registration in courses for which you do not have the prerequisites.
• Check the calendar and College website for important information about wait lists, paying fees, and withdrawing from courses—remember that if you fail to withdraw prior to fee deadlines, you are required to pay full course tuition and that if you fail to officially withdraw, you will receive an ‘F’ grade as well as owing full fees.