Advice about academics

While college is a time to focus primarily on academics, we occasionally run into life events that we can’t ignore.

For instance, your big sister might be getting married, and you are an attendant and have to help plan. You might realize you need to take a summer course to get all your credits in on time or to manage a semester abroad. There are a few options for you to continue your studies or get practical experience. One, of course, is enrolling in online courses that will let you work on your own schedule. But let’s look at some other possibilities!

Local schools

A local university is one immediate option to explore. They have countless options for collegiate students as well as those continuing their education onward. Earning more academic credit at a discounted price is the major appeal behind this option. Unfortunately, it doesn’t guarantee any practical experience. Some classes are notoriously theoretical. The summer term could also translate into fewer available courses to her. At the end of the day, this route makes more academic sense than it does professional sense.

Vocational classes

An alternative to the traditional route would be vocational academies. You have probably already developed a working knowledge of your field of study. She could explore learning something new or further advance her competence in an existing area. For instance, if you have a deep passion for web development, then a Coding Bootcamp Toronto would make perfect sense. Make sure you look for a school that is regulated by an accredited institution, to gain a recognized professional qualification, rather than academic. Along with that you’ll come out of it with a real-world portfolio of projects so you can be rest assured that you’ll get some real practical experience.

Industry experience

The last option is obtaining real professional industry experience by working at some formally recognized organization. While nothing can really match direct firsthand experience in a professional setting, this road is much less accessible to those in more temporary circumstances (i.e., summer transplants). You can vye for a part-time or full-time contract position. You also have the chance to explore internships with different employers.

One sound strategy might be compiling a list of possible companies. You can use free online resources to identify agencies that focus on web development. Only a fraction of them might offer something relevant, but it’s a reasonable place to begin. And don’t forget about tapping into your own career center. Campus resources almost always have insightful suggestions for students trying kick-start their career.