Heading toward the job market for the first time can be a frightening
experience, but 53 rural youth are now better armed to face the
challenges.
And they seem excited about the future.
“This has helped me decide what I should be doing with my life,” said
18-year-old Cathy Dyck during the recent 4-H Careers Conference.
She and 34 other 4-H members from Manitoba and 18 4-H members from
across Canada spent five days in Winnipeg honing their job hunting
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skills, thinking about university and college programs and pondering
what to do with their futures.
They took tours of universities, were taught tips by professionals and
practised job interviews with real employers.
Justin Overand, a Grade 12 student from Elkhorn, Man., said he liked
meeting with dozens of other young rural people to talk about the
future.
“It gives you a good chance to explore whatever career you choose,”
said Overand.
It also let them set up networks of friends that may help them as they
grow older. Some of the sessions, such as the mock interviews, were
serious.
But others, like the Friday night barn dance, were definitely not and
were designed to help the 4-Hers become friends for life.
Karen Melnychuk, one of the conference organizers, said she benefitted
from 4-H and is glad to see the organization is still able to pass
along skills and experience.
“They’re setting their goals; they’re obtaining their goals,” said
Melnychuk.
