Career Education Week has officially wrapped up across British Columbia, marking a province-wide celebration of the vital role career education plays in shaping students’ futures. Educators, education partners, employers and the Ministry of Education and Child Care collaborated to help students explore diverse career pathways.
To support the officially proclaimed Career Education Week, the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care provided funding to the Career Education Society of BC to distribute to the province through grant applications. “We received 50 applications from across the province and awarded 28 grants totaling $19,280 to enhance career education experiences for students,” explained Lisa Chapieski, District Coordinator for Student Options and Opportunities, Delta School District, who also serves as the Membership Chair and a Regional Director at the Career Education Society of BC.
The grants were available for both elementary and secondary schools, and they supported initiatives such as transportation, community-building events, tours of post-secondary institutions and employers, guest speakers, hands-on activities, books, and other resources designed to deepen students’ understanding of the world beyond school.
Across Delta, schools organized creative activities including career scavenger hunts, Find Your Fit events, guest speakers, and interactive sessions aimed at sparking students’ curiosity and engagement.
Burnsview Secondary was among the schools that received funding—$1,400 from the Career Education Society of BC/ Ministry of Education and Child Care — to host a dynamic lineup of events. The week began with Discover Yourself: Interests and Strengths, where Grade 10–12 students embarked on a scavenger hunt to reflect on their passions, strengths, and unique contributions to the world. The school also welcomed 16 guest speakers for an inspiring Speaker Series, giving students the chance to learn firsthand about a wide range of careers and ask questions directly to people in various professions, and held a team building challenge for students.
“Moments like these remind me how powerful it is when young people are given the space to be curious, courageous, and self-aware,” said Sue Switzer, Career and Post-Secondary Advisor, Burnsview Secondary.
Lisa Chapieski added, “All of the high schools in Delta have held career education events or are planning to hold them in the new year. This is only the second year for the proclaimed Career Education Week, and already we’ve seen a huge increase in activities compared to last year in both elementary and secondary schools. I’m excited to see where this will go! Career education is a key pillar of our education system. These events are so important – they give students the opportunity to discover their interests, explore career options, build skills, and plan for their future.”
