Career advisors at the University of Guelph’s Experiential Learning Hub are launching a unique summer camp designed to give older teens the skills they need to confidently navigate their post-secondary education and career journeys.
The Own Your Future Career Camp is a transformative two-week program designed for high school students and graduates taking a gap year who aren’t quite sure where their careers might take them. The camps are designed to empower these students with productive ways to reduce anxiety associated with choosing a career path.
“Career planning and exploration are crucial for students who want clarity, direction, and support in making informed decisions about their future,” say Lily Abediny, associate director of co-operative and career education and Kris Gies, manager of career education.
“The Own Your Future Career Camp will give students the skills they need to navigate and succeed in a constantly evolving career landscape filled with new opportunities and challenges.”
Helping high school students build a career plan
The immersive two-week camps are the first of their kind in the region and are designed to help teens aged 15 to 19 explore a range of career opportunities to create a personalized action plan for their next career steps.
Led by U of G career educators and advisors, students will take part in workshops that will help them build a greater understanding of career planning, learn to confidently articulate their skills and interests in resumes and cover letters, as well as during interviews.
The workshops will consist of hands-on classroom activities each morning. In the afternoon, participants will be taken across campus to meet experts, including U of G faculty, staff, current students and alumni to learn more about possible career paths.
“In addition to developing lifelong skills, the Own Your Future Career Camp will highlight the best U of G has to offer through discussions with top and emerging professionals from various industries,” say Abediny and Gies. “Students will gain invaluable insights, build meaningful connections and explore diverse career paths, all while developing tools to confidently tackle their future.”
Making informed decisions about education, career goals
Students will also learn to navigate the labour market to identify trends, opportunities and employers’ expectations, and gain confidence to make informed decisions about their future studies and career paths.
Participants will meet leading experts across the U of G faculties, including
- College of Arts
- College of Biological Science
- Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- College of Social & Applied Human Sciences
- Ontario Agricultural College
- Ontario Veterinary College
“Our experiential program emphasizes the connection between hope and action in achieving career and life goals,” Abediny and Gies say.
The camp is ideal for high school students in Grades 10-12 and recent graduates during a lap or gap year who are eager to explore their future career paths.
2025 Program Offerings
Summer Session 1:
Monday to Friday, July 14 to 25 (two weeks)
Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Summer Session 2:
Monday to Friday, Aug. 11 to 22 (two weeks)
Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location
University of Guelph campus
Cost
$600 + HST
Learn more about the Own Your Future Career Camp.